Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is a northern Chinese spitz-type dog with a broad head, small upright ears, heavy ruff, and blue-black tongue. It is one of the older Asian companion and utility breeds, historically used in China for guarding, pulling, hunting, and household life rather than for one narrow task. The body is compact and square, the tail curls over the back, and the breed's straight rear action gives it a stilted gait. Two coat types occur: the familiar rough coat with a mane-like collar and a shorter smooth coat. Standard colors are generally red, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream.

Chow Chows reward calm, consistent handling but are not usually eager-to-please dogs. Early, well-managed socialization is important because many are reserved with strangers and selective with other dogs. The dense coat sheds heavily and needs regular brushing, especially around the neck, breeches, and tail; hot weather calls for shade and careful exercise timing. Responsible breeders watch for entropion, hip and elbow dysplasia, thyroid disease, skin problems, and airway or heat-tolerance concerns in heavier-faced dogs. For buyers, temperament and sound structure matter as much as a plush coat.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow