Member Advice on Keeping Dogs > Reviews (46)

C is for LION DOG.

C is really for Chow Chow.

Before anyone comments on this being in the wrong category, I can't find one specifically for Chow Chows.

Check out the pictures at bottom of page.

How to introduce someone to the Chow and keep them hooked, here goes….
The Chow is a very "cat like" dog.
They can be house trained in under 5 days.
Noise sensitive and powerfully built.
Strong and independent of thought.

My Dogs:
I currently have 2 Chow Chows both female (I hate the word bitches) and both reds (welsh reds). The older chow, is six years old, set me back £??? and the younger chow who is three cost me £???.
??? = A lot.
They can be trained in under 5 days being a very clever dog. Both of mine have never soiled in the house from the first week in which we got them. There is no trick to it, they just learn very fast.
Through trial and error I have found the best dog food to be James Wellbeloved, it contains hypo allergenic and keeps the coats healthy.
If you start them on a grooming table as a pup you will save yourself a lot of problems later on for grooming, nail cutting, hot spot prevention etc…..
As you can see one of my chows recently fractured 2 metacarpals in her paw, she's not happy.

History of the Chow Chow:
This is a breed of dog originating from China where they where bred for their strength (pulling carts), their noise sensitivity (great guard dogs), and their meat!
They are still eaten in some parts of China, the general rule of thumb is the more BLUE the tongue the tastier the meat! Yeah I know, sick!!!
When shipped to the UK their boxes where marked 'chow chow' and this is where to "chow down" is mistakenly taken from.
They are also the 'models' used for the stone FOO DOGS which traditionally guards the front of Buddhist temples and some palaces.
It is believed they are amongst they oldest breed of dog.

Description:
They are a medium sized dog, with square frames and very straight back legs which give them a distinctive 'stilted gait' when they walk. They look like a cross between a LION and a BEAR.
They come as a rough or smooth coated, I have 2 rough 'double' coated chows which require constant grooming. The hair I take and put in the ornamental bird boxes around the garden for the birds to put in their nest, it's very soft.
The mane or ruff if groomed properly can look stunning, giving a lion-esk appearance.
They are actually know as "LION DOGS".
The actual translation I believe is' Puffy Lion Dog'
Coat colors come in 5 types, Red, Black, Cream, Blue and Cinnamon

Temperament:
They always bond strongly with a household, not welcoming strangers in at all. This can be difficult if a Chow needs re-homing.
Mine tend to growl at strangers whilst wagging their tails!
They need a strong willed owner as they can be VERY stubborn, ALWAYS thinking about a command before carrying it out. Not to be confused with a strong hand, NEVER SMACK A CHOW IT WILL BREAK ITS SPIRIT COMPLETELY. I know this applies to all dogs but it does so especially the Chow.
They generally only show affection to those they have bonded with and visitors will be ignored, but watched very carefully!

My 2 seem to take turns lying facing the front door watching for visitors or the post.
They do need regular walking, despite some beliefs that they need little exercise, it will stimulate them and make them a happier dog so they do need it!

Breed Problems:
Because of the breeding Chows are prone to,
Hip Dysplasia (no problems so far),
Entopion which is where the eye lashes curl inwards and rub on the eye (older one had this, cost a bomb and an operation)
Thyroid disease, which is a low thyroid count (again older one has this, cured with tablets), this can also cause 'Hot spots' but this can also be caused by insufficient grooming.
Small Eye, where one 'eye hole' is smaller than the other giving a 'bock eyed' look.

Tips:
Go to crufts and see if a chow is for you (The last Chow to win crufts was in 1936)
Life expectancy is 12 years but I know of 2 chows that lived till they where 19 years old !!!
ALWAYS buy from a registered breeder and even so check out the breeder.

If your dog is off color try boiled rice and/or scrambled egg, settles stomachs instantly, or try arrowroot biscuits.

A dog persons dog.

Greg