A Pet's View / February 2006
Ruff Love
Chow chows, an ancient breed of northern Chinese origin, look rather like a cross between a lion and a teddy bear. While Chows are primarily companions today, they were once an all-purpose dog used for hunting, herding, pulling and home protection.
Powerful and regal, Chows combine elegance with substance and are a masterpiece of beauty and dignity. With a luxuriously thick coat, accentuated by a characteristic ruff, chows are known for their blue black tongue, quizzically scowling expression and reserved personality.
Dark almond eyes, deep set and placed wide apart, give them a slightly oriental appearance. They have a unique, stilted gait.
The breed comes in two types of coat, rough and smooth, and five solid colors–red, which ranges from light golden to deep mahogany, black, blue, cinnamon, which can be light fawn or deep cinnamon and cream.
Recognized for their keen intelligence and independent spirit, Chows have an innate dignity. It is their nature to be reserved, even aloof, particularly with strangers.
The true origin of the Chow is lost in Chinese antiquity but the dog is easily recognized in pottery and sculptures of the Chinese Han Dynasty, 206 BC to 22 AD. Other artifacts indicate that Chows are much older and may have come originally from the Arctic Circle, migrating to Mongolia, Siberia and China. Some claim the Chow was the original ancestor of the Samoyed, Norwegian Elkhound, Pomeranian and Keeshond.
Chows came to America by way of England, brought from China in the late 1700’s by sailors returning from the east. Traveling in the cargo holds of trade ships with other “chow chow”, the slang applied to the large variety of items carried by these ships. The casual term stuck to the dogs, belying the nobility of this imperious, leonine breed.
The Chow Chow’s disposition is quite different from other dog breeds. Naturally suspicious of strangers and very territorial, they take their homes and families very seriously. On their own property and without their owners present, Chows may be quite fierce. They rarely allow strangers to pass unchallenged and if strangers push themselves on the dog, he may become aggressive. People accustomed to the enthusiastic welcomes of terriers, toys and retrievers, are startled by the solemnity of the Chow. Chows have a natural reserve, even indifference, to people outside their family.
Chows are not a “pack” breed; most are fairly solitary. They prefer dogs of the opposite sex and don’t enjoy the company of other dogs outside those in their own household but they do easily learn proper behavior when on lead around other dogs.
Chows expect to be treated with dignity and respect. They do not tolerate physical punishment. Although their teddy bear looks and fluffy fur are inviting, Chows may not appreciate being fussed over by children
Yet, dignity and good manners are their trademark. Chow puppies are naturally well-behaved, seldom destructive or disobedient. Because of their good behavior, owners may feel training isn’t necessary, but an untrained Chow may refuse to accept authority as an adult. Most people who experience behavior problems with their Chows failed to train and socialize them properly.
Chows first appeared at AKC dog shows in the late 1800’s. President Calvin Coolidge kept his Chow, Timmy, in the White House in the 1930’s. Sigmund Freud was a notable Chow enthusiast. Martha Stewart often appears with her Chows on television.
Like bulldogs, Chows may require special care when anesthesia is involved, because of their short muzzles. They are subject to heat prostration if left in hot, closed-in areas or in the sun, and particularly bothered by extremely high humidity with the heat. Their most common skin problems are hot-spots and allergies. Chows shed seasonally, not daily, but should be brushed at least twice weekly to keep their thick coat in peak, fluffy condition.
Chows should never be chained - they resent the feeling of being trapped- but they do well in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. A small yard is all they need. Their average life expectancy is fifteen years.
Typically between 17-22 inches at the shoulders, they may weigh from 40-70 pounds and generally live to age fifteen.
Chows make exceptional house pets and adjust well to being alone during the work day. They’re very quiet, naturally well-behaved, not diggers or barkers, and aren’t destructive. They’re one of the easiest breeds to housebreak. Independent, and stubborn, Chows save their affections for those those they love dearly and find little reason to seek attention from anyone else. PL
Copyright © 2005-2006 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
Femme Fair 2006
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