Chow Chow Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Chow Chow

Other names

Chow, Chowdren, 鬆獅犬

Origin

Traits
Weight	Male	55–70 lb (25–32 kg)
	Female	45–60 lb (20–27 kg)
Height	17 to 20 inches (43 to 51 cm)
Coat	Thick and coarse
Color	Red (light gold to deep red-brown) Cinnamon (light tan to brown) Black Cream Blue
Litter size	3–6
Life span	9–15 years

Classification / standards
FCI	Group 5, Section 5 Asian Spitz and related breeds #205	standard
AKC	Non-Sporting	standard
ANKC	Group 7 Non-Sporting	standard
CKC	Group 6 Non-Sporting	standard
KC (UK)	Utility	standard
NZKC	Non-Sporting	standard
UKC	Northern Breed	standard

Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Chow Chow is a special dog breed that comes from northern China. People in China call it Songshi Quan, which means "puffy-lion dog." It was also known as Tang Quan, or "Dog of the Tang Empire."

Many people believe the Chow Chow was the inspiration for the "Foo dog." These are traditional stone statues that guard Buddhist temples and palaces. The Chow Chow is one of the oldest dog breeds still around today.

Appearance
Temperament
Famous Chow Chow Owners
Grooming
Images for kids
See also

Appearance

A close-up of the Chow Chow's characteristic blue-black tongue

The Chow Chow is a strong, well-built dog. It has a broad head and small, pointy ears with rounded tips. These dogs are famous for their very thick double coat. This coat can be smooth or rough.

The fur around their neck is extra thick. This makes it look like they have a special "ruff" or "mane," like a lion. Chow Chows come in many colors, such as red, black, blue, cinnamon, or cream. Some countries might not recognize all these colors. Dogs with patchy or mixed-color coats are not considered standard for the breed.

Chow Chow eyes are usually deep-set and shaped like almonds. A unique feature of this breed is its blue-black or purple tongue. Their back legs are also very straight. This gives them a slightly stiff way of walking. The blue color even extends to their lips. No other dog breed has this blue color inside its mouth. Another special feature is their curly tail. It has thick hair and rests curled over their back. Their nose should be black. However, blue-coated Chow Chows can have a blue or slate-colored nose.

Temperament

Chow Chows of different coat colors.

Chow Chows are often kept as pets. They are usually careful around strangers. They can be very protective of their owners and home. However, they should not be too aggressive or too shy. Some owners say Chow Chows have a personality similar to a cat.

Chow Chows are not super active dogs. This means they can live in an apartment. But if they live in an apartment, they still need daily exercise. This helps them stay happy and prevents boredom. Once they get used to daily walks, they might even remind their owners when it's time to go!

This breed forms strong bonds with family and friends. But a Chow Chow often becomes extra protective of one or two main family members. They are naturally quiet and well-behaved. However, they can be a bit stubborn when it comes to training. As they get older, Chow Chows become very attached to certain people. This is why it's so important to train them when they are puppies. Early training helps them respect the people who care for them.

Famous Chow Chow Owners

A Chow Chow competing in Dog Agility

Many famous people have owned Chow Chows:

Konrad Lorenz was an Austrian scientist who studied animals. He won a Nobel Prize in 1973. He had a Chow Chow mix named Stasi and wrote about his dogs.
Sigmund Freud was a famous psychologist. He had a Chow Chow named Jo-Fi. Jo-Fi even came to his therapy sessions! Freud believed dogs could sense a person's character.
Martha Stewart owns several Chow Chows. One of them is named Genghis Khan.
President Calvin Coolidge and his wife had a black Chow Chow named Timmy.
Chow Chows were very popular in the 1930s and 1980s.
Elvis Presley and his ex-girlfriend Linda Thompson had a Chow Chow named Getlow.
Janet Jackson had a Chow Chow named Buckwheat.
Italian football player Mario Balotelli bought two Chow Chow puppies for his girlfriend.

Grooming

A Chow Chow with a reddish coat.

The Chow Chow's fur is particularly thick in the neck area, giving it a distinctive ruff or mane appearance.

Chow Chows shed a lot of fur in spring and fall. During these times, they need more grooming. It's important to use the right tools so you don't hurt their skin.

Here are some brushes owners can use:

A medium-coarse brush for larger parts of the body.
A slick brush for smaller areas.
A pin brush to keep their longer hair neat.

Chow Chows can have a short, smooth coat or a rougher, longer coat. Both types have a thick, woolly layer close to the skin. They should be brushed about four times a week. During shedding seasons, daily grooming might be needed. A spray conditioner can also help prevent their thick fur from breaking. Finally, a bath once a month helps keep their coat clean and free of fleas.