Welcome to the wonderful world of Chow Chows

The Chow Chow is probably the most misunderstood of all dog breeds. Over the years the breed has received negative publicity for aggression, however, like any other breed this depends on how the dog was raised. Chow Chows are low-energy, highly intelligent dogs. The breed is naturally clean and quiet which allows for the breed to do well in most living situations as long as the dog is given adequate exercise. The dog is not one to run away, so he does well in a fenced yard. He will remain loyal to the family until the end, but before adding a new Chow puppy to yours, please do your research and make sure the breed is right for you, because they can be harder to re-home as they become very attached to their owners.

When you make the choice to adopt a Chow puppy, you are making a life-long commitment. Although the breed is easier to care for than most, they are still not for everyone. Check with your landlord and insurance company before bringing one home because some insurance companies either charge a higher premium or will not cover your home at all if you have the breed.

After your research is complete and you have decided upon the Chow Chow, make sure you choose a reputable breeder and not a puppy mill. You should start socializing your Chow puppy immediately because the breed can become aggressive. Proper socialization from a young age, however, can prevent this. In the end, if you choose the Chow as the right breed for you, you will not be disappointed; this is one of the best breeds available! 

History of Chows

Some scholars believe the Chow Chow to be one of the most ancient breeds of dog. Scientists used DNA analysis to confirm this theory and realized it was indeed one of the first dog breeds to evolve from a wolf about 2,000 years ago. Other scholars, however, believe the Chow Chow existed long before that, possibly dating back to 150 BC or earlier.  Archeologists found artifacts dating from the Han dynasty unmistakably picturing the breed on engravings and sculptures.

There’s no doubt that the Chow originated somewhere between Northern China and the Mongolia region. The Chow is referred to as “Songshi Quan” in Chinese which literally means “puffy lion dog” because of its uncanny resemblance to a lion. There are conflicting theories as to which breeds created the Chow Chow. On one side, experts believe the Chow Chow was formed by a cross between the Tibetan Mastiff and the Samoyed. On the other hand, people believe the breed is a mix of Norwegian Elkhound, Samoyed, Keeshond, and Pomeranian.

The Chow Chow is one of the only breeds exhibiting the trademark blue-black tongue, the other breed being the Chinese Shar-Pei. Although these breeds have a blue-black tongue as a breed standard, they are not the only breeds to have color on their tongue as black spots on the tongue are very common in many dogs. We will discuss the Chow Chow’s tongue in more depth later.

The Chow Chow was bred as an all purpose working dog for hunting, pulling, and protecting the home. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Chow Chow in 1903 as a member of the non-sporting group. The Chow

Chow Chow Profile

Appearance

Height: 17 - 20 inches at the shoulder; dogs can be larger or smaller but must be proportional.

Weight: 45 - 70 pounds with the males being larger.

Life Expectancy: 9 - 15 years

Litter Size: 5 - 7 puppies

A Chow Chow's coat can come in two textures, either smooth or rough. Both coat types are thick and course, requiring regular maintenance. The American Kennel Club (AKC) allows Chow Chows to come in five coat colors: Cream, Red, Blue, Black, and Cinnamon. Although variations of these colors are allowed, parti-colors are not. 

Chows are medium built dogs of the arctic type. They are heavy boned and have strong muscular development. The Chow Chow's body is compact with a tail that is set high, but carried close to the dogs back. The breed has very straight hind legs which results in the breed's characteristic stilted gait. The gait causes the dog to look very proud when it walks. This is a breed with a large amount of dignity.

The dogs have large heads with a muzzle that is short and broad. The Chow Chow has an unmistakable scowling look on his face with his deep set, almond-shaped eyes. The most well-known characteristic the breed possesses is the blue-black tongue. The AKC requires the tongue to be this color to be accepted into the club. However, occasionally the breed with have splashes of pink which is acceptable. Experts say diluted coat colors such as cinnamon and blue are more susceptible to pink splashes, as well as older Chows. An interesting fact is that all Chow Chow puppies are born with pink tongues and by 8 - 10 weeks of age most tongues have completely turned blue-black. 

Chow Chow Health Issues

The Chow Chow, like any other purebred canine, is susceptible to certain diseases and health conditions. Such diseases and conditions are mainly caused by environmental factors or genetic predispositions. This article will explain the diseases, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of health related problems that are most common among the Chow Chow breed. This article includes information on entropion, juvenile cataracts, glaucoma, lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, hip dysplasia, gastric cancer, canine pemphigus, major histocompatibility complex, fleas, and skin melanoma.

Entropion

Entropion is a medical condition that occurs when the eyelid edges turn inward towards the eyeball instead of outward. This is a condition that usually occurs within the first six months of life but can become present later in life following other eye changes in the dog. The condition usually affects only the lower eyelid and entropion is considered to be an inherited disease, so it is mainly a genetic condition; however as we will discuss later this disease can be environmental. This disease can affect many purebreds other than the Chow Chow, such as the Great Dane, English Bulldog, Shar-pei, and the Labrador Retriever, among others.

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Unfortunately, hip dysplasia is a disease that is common in most all dog breeds, especially the larger ones. Hip dysplasia is characterized by loose, unstable hip joints. Dogs with hip dysplasia are born with normal hips and as they mature, the disease begins to take form. A puppy can begin to develop symptoms of the disease as early as 5 to 13 months of age, although the disease is most prominent in older dogs. Symptoms can affect one or both sides and can vary from mild discomfort to severe pain for the dog during any movement. Some breeds are at a higher risk of developing the disease such as Otterhunds, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, German Shepherds, and Chows, among many others. 


Symptoms:

• Reluctance to climb stairs, exercise, or jump
• Reduced physical activity
• Rear limb waddling gait
• Signs of lameness in the rear limbs, especially apparent following movement

Canine Pemphigus in Chows

Dog's Stomach with Pemphigus Foliaceus

Canine pemphigus is a sometimes severe autoimmune disease infecting a dog's skin and mucous membranes. An autoimmune disease, such as this one, happens when a dog's body mistakes a certain component of the dog's skin as a foreign object and starts making antibodies to rid the foreign object. In this specific disorder, auto-antibodies begin attacking skin cell walls, thus causing the cells to separate. This separation causes the outer layers of skin to split apart and once the skin pulls apart, the crevices become filled with cells and fluid. Thus, this disease can cause blistering eruptions that are most commonly found on the dog's ears, face, and oral cavities. The triggers for the disease are still undetermined; it has been equated to possibly genetics or environmental factors. Canine pemphigus is commonly found in older dogs around four years of age; although, some types can begin as young as two years old. Along with the Chow, this disease is found in other breeds as well, including: Dobermans, Akitas, Newfoundlands, Schipperkes, and Dachsunds. There are four sub-types of canine pemphigus, and they are:

• Pemphigus Vegetans: This form of pemphigus is very rare and little research has been conducted on causes and treatments for it. Currently, most veterinarians prescribe topical ointments that contain glucocorticoids. These ointments have proven to be effective for treatment.
• Pemphigus Foliaceus: This is considered the most common form of pemphigus. This form commonly creates crusty lesions around the dog's groin, eyes, ears, nose, and foot pads. To treat this form of pemphigus, the immune system must be suppressed. Prednisone has proven effective for treatment, sometimes in conjunction with Azathioprine for dogs who do not respond to Prednisone alone. 

Skin Melanoma in Chows

Dogs, like humans, can be infected with skin cancer, or skin melanoma. Furthermore, some breeds, more so than others are at high risk of developing skin cancer; Chows are one of the high risk dogs. Skin melanomas are tumors that arise from pigmented cells. This form of cancer is most commonly found on a dog's skin, toenails, or mouth. Most cancer spots located on the skin of a dog are benign (non fatal). However, most melanomas found on the toenails or in the mouth are malignant and have been known to spread to other areas of the body, invade local tissue, and even regrow after surgical removal. One difference between human and canine skin melanoma is that in humans, one main reason for the cancer growth is exposure to the sun; but in dogs, sun exposure has not been related to skin melanomas in dogs.

Due to the fact most skin melanomas require immediate attention, experts have agreed it is a good idea to perform a check on your Chow, or other breed at least once per month. You should look closely under the dog's fur at the condition of the dog's skin, toenails, and (if the dog permits) it's mouth. There are a couple differences between the appearance of malignant and benign melanomas. The types are said to look like:

• Malignant Skin Melanoma: Can cause lymph nodes to appear enlarged or swollen and creates abnormal concentrated areas of pigmented skin. However, some have no color at all; these should be check immediately
• Benign Skin Melanoma: These are usually seen as firm, raised, round, and darkly pigmented masses that vary from 1/4 inch to 2 inches in diameter. Benign melanomas are commonly found on back, head, and digits. 

Symptoms:

If you notice any of the following symptoms on your Chow during the examination contact your veterinarian immediately.