Dog breed
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is a Chinese dog with a lion-like mane, a blue-black tongue and a distinctive stilted gait. It stands 46–56 cm at the withers and comes in rough and smooth coat varieties. It is independent, aloof with strangers and deeply attached to its home: a dog for someone who respects its almost catlike need for space.
- FCI Group V · Spitz and primitive · standard no. 205
- Weight
- 20–32 kg
- Height
- 46–56 cm
- Lifespan
- 8–12 years
- Origin
- China
Temperament
The Chow Chow is calm, dignified and independent. It bonds with its family but usually picks one or two most important people and doesn't seek out cuddles. It is reserved with strangers, and an uninvited visitor on the property may get a clear warning: this is a former guard dog. It dislikes having its space invaded, so conflict comes easily with small children who pull its fur and hug it against its will. It can be unfriendly toward other dogs, especially of the same sex, and may treat small animals as prey. Indoors it is clean and quiet and rarely barks without reason. Training takes consistency and patience: the Chow learns quickly but only follows commands when it sees the point. Early socialization is essential.
- Energy
- calmvery energetic
- Affection
- independentvelcro pet
- With children
- not idealgreat
- With other pets
- difficultgreat
- Trainability
- stubborneager to learn
- For first-time owners
- for experienced ownersyes
- With strangers
- waryoutgoing
- Playfulness
- dignifiedeternal puppy
- Shedding
- minimalheavy
- Grooming
- easydemanding
- Being left alone
- strugglescopes well
- Apartment living
- needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
- Barking
- quietvocal
- With other dogs
- difficultgreat
- Protectiveness
- lowhigh
- Drooling
- hardly anya lot
- Cold tolerance
- feels the coldexcellent
- Heat tolerance
- strugglescopes well
Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits
Who is the Chow Chow for?
The Chow Chow suits a calm, experienced owner who values an independent dog and doesn't expect effusive affection or a sports partner. It can live in an apartment if it has a cool spot and daily walks. We don't recommend it for families with small children, for homes with cats or other dogs unless it was socialized early, or for people who want a dog that happily plays with everyone it meets.
Pros
- clean and quiet indoors
- moderate exercise needs
- alert watchdog
- copes well with being alone during the day
Challenges
- aloof and wary of strangers
- difficult to train
- handles heat very poorly
- heavy shedding and a demanding coat
- prone to entropion
Size and looks
| Height at the withers | males 48–56 cm, females 46–51 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | males 20–32 kg, females 20–32 kg |
| Lifespan | 8–12 years |
| Coat | long |
| Colors | red, black, blue, fawn, cream, white |
| Country of origin | China |
| Classification | Group V: Spitz and primitive types |
| Also known as | Chow, Rough Chow Chow, Smooth Chow Chow |
Care and exercise
The Chow Chow has moderate exercise needs: the Royal Kennel Club suggests up to an hour a day, ideally as calm leash walks. It's not a dog for running or playing fetch. Because of its thick coat and fairly short muzzle, it handles heat very badly: in summer, go out only at dawn and in the evening, and give it a cool spot at home. The rough variety needs brushing down to the skin several times a week, or mats form underneath; the smooth coat takes less work but also sheds heavily. Glance at the eyes daily, because rolled-in eyelids quickly cause tearing. From puppyhood, get the dog used to having its paws, muzzle and ears handled, since adult Chows dislike grooming. Keep training short, calm and free of force.
How much should the Chow Chow eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.Health and breed-related conditions
The Royal Kennel Club gives the Chow Chow a lifespan of under 10 years, while other sources say 8–12 years. The breed is in Category 2 of Breed Watch, and the breed club runs its own health program; the recommended minimum before breeding is hip, elbow and eye screening. The most characteristic problem is entropion, inward-rolling eyelids linked to excess skin on the head, which without correction causes pain and corneal ulcers. The short, broad muzzle and very dense coat make Chows overheat easily, and dogs with exaggeratedly flat faces may have trouble breathing. Hypothyroidism, diabetes, bloat and a higher risk of stomach cancer are also described in the breed.
- entropionInward-rolling eyelids irritate the cornea; common when there is excess skin on the head.
- hip dysplasiaThe Royal Kennel Club considers it a significant problem in the breed and recommends X-ray screening.
- elbow dysplasiaIt can cause lameness and early-onset arthritis.
- hypothyroidismShows up as lethargy, weight gain and a poorer coat.
- stomach cancerRare in dogs overall, but reported more often in Chow Chows than in other breeds.
Health tests to ask the breeder about
- hip and elbow X-rays (HD/ED)
- eye exam (ECVO)
This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.
Breed history
The FCI standard links the Chow Chow's origins to China, where for more than 2,000 years it served as a guard dog and was also used for hunting. The breed is related to the Nordic spitz breeds but also has something of the molosser about it. Because of China's isolationist policies, dogs of this type only began appearing in other countries around 1800. They reached England at the end of the 18th century, but real interest in the breed came in the 1920s: in 1925 a sizable group of Chow Chows was shown at Crufts. Today the breed is under British patronage, and its standard describes two coat varieties.
Fun facts
- The FCI standard requires the Chow Chow's tongue, palate and gums to be blue-black.
- A short, stilted gait, which comes from the straight angles of the hind legs, is typical of the breed.
- In 1925 a group of Chow Chows was shown at Crufts, which sparked a fashion for the breed in Britain.
- The standard allows only solid colors, with no patches or spots.
Frequently asked questions
Are Chow Chows aggressive?
The Chow Chow is not on Poland's list of breeds considered aggressive. It is, however, wary of strangers, territorial and dislikes having its space invaded, so without socialization it may warn or snap. A well-raised Chow is calm and predictable.
How long do Chow Chows live?
Most often 8–12 years; the Royal Kennel Club says usually under 10. Lifespan is affected by joint and thyroid disease and cancer, among other things, while quality of life depends on eye health and heat tolerance.
Why do Chow Chows have blue tongues?
It's a breed trait required by the FCI standard: the tongue, palate and gums should be blue-black. Puppies are born with pink tongues that darken in the first weeks of life. Only a few breeds have similar pigmentation, including the Shar Pei.
Do Chow Chows shed?
Yes, heavily, especially during coat changes. Both varieties have a dense undercoat that needs regular brushing, and the rough coat also mats without grooming. This is not a breed for allergy sufferers.
How much does a Chow Chow weigh?
Adult dogs of this breed usually weigh: males 20–32 kg, females 20–32 kg. Height at the withers: 46–56 cm. That range is for healthy adults in good condition.
This breed also appears in
Sources
- 1FCI standard nr 205 – Chow Chowfci.be
- 2Royal Kennel Club – Chow Chowroyalkennelclub.com
- 3PetMD – Chow Chowpetmd.com
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
