Chow Chow

Personality

The Chow is dignified, independent and aloof, with a loyalty that runs deep but is selective. The AKC standard credits the breed with sharp intelligence, independence and natural dignity, which together make it seem aloof, and it expects a Chow to be reserved and discerning with strangers. Many bond most closely with one person. Because the deep-set eyes limit side vision, the standard also advises approaching a Chow from the front.

That reserve is the heart of the Chow. These dogs are rarely the first to greet a guest, and they may be wary of strange dogs. PetMD describes the breed as better suited to families with older children, and VCA notes that it is generally tolerant of kids but may not be playful enough for them. Some Chows prefer to be the only pet, although they can live with others when raised together.

They are stubborn rather than spiteful: independent thinkers who see no reason to obey a command that makes no sense to them. VCA rates barking as low. A Chow is a good match for someone who wants a quiet, watchful companion, not a dog who needs to be everyone's friend.

History

The Chow Chow is one of the oldest breeds in the world. Recent DNA studies place it among the 14 most ancient breeds recognized by the AKC, and VCA says it has been known in China for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years, though its exact origins are unclear. PetMD traces the breed's roots to the Han Dynasty, roughly 206 BCE to 220 CE.

In China, the AKC notes, the Chow served as a companion to nobles and also earned its keep guarding, hauling and hunting. It is a spitz-type dog from northern China, and the origin of the English name is uncertain; one popular story links it to a pidgin-English term for miscellaneous ship's cargo.

The AKC recognized the Chow Chow in 1903. Its fortunes since then have been uneven: according to VCA, the breed peaked as the sixth most popular in the United States in the 1980s, then lost a great deal of ground over the following decade. Today it remains a breed for owners who appreciate its dignified, independent nature, its lion-like mane and its unmistakable blue-black tongue.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Chow Chow is a powerful, sturdy, squarely built dog of medium size. The AKC standard gives the average height as 17 to 20 in (43 to 51 cm) at the withers, and VCA and PetMD list weights of 45 to 70 lb (20 to 32 kg). The head is large and set off by a thick ruff, giving a compact, lion-like impression.

There are two coat types, both double coats. The rough Chow carries an abundant, dense, straight, off-standing and rather coarse outer coat over a soft, thick, woolly undercoat. The smooth Chow has a hard, dense, smooth outer coat, still with a definite undercoat. The AKC recognizes five colors, judged equally: red, black, blue, cinnamon and cream.

The signature feature is the tongue. The standard calls for a solid blue-black tongue, the darker the better, and treats a red or pink tongue, or one with pink spots, as a disqualifying fault in the show ring. Together with the mane-like ruff, it gives the Chow one of the most distinctive looks in the dog world.

Training

The Chow is intelligent but independent, and VCA rates its ease of training low. It rebels against forceful methods and does best with a firm, fair owner who uses reward-based training. Do not mistake that independence for stupidity: the Chow simply wants a reason to cooperate. Short, varied sessions with food rewards, praise and a calm voice work best.

Socialization is the most important training task. PetMD puts the prime window at about 3 to 12 weeks of age, so start the moment your puppy comes home. Introduce it to calm people, different surfaces and well-behaved dogs, always at a pace the puppy can handle. Aloof dogs stay aloof, but good socialization teaches them to tolerate strangers without fear or aggression. Keep it up well into adulthood.

VCA considers obedience training essential for both control and mental exercise. Teach a reliable recall, a calm greeting and tolerance of handling around the face, feet and mouth, so that veterinary visits and grooming are easy. A puppy class is a good start, as long as the class keeps encounters controlled and positive.

Exercise

Chows are not athletes. VCA describes the breed as needing daily exercise, such as a leisurely walk, a short jog or a quick game, and says it is not physically suited to overly vigorous exercise. PetMD suggests a couple of 20-minute walks a day plus some mental stimulation. See our guide to how much exercise a dog needs for general guidance.

Heat is the main hazard. The thick coat and short muzzle make the Chow prone to overheating, and VCA gives the breed its lowest rating for warm weather. In summer, walk early in the morning or late in the evening, bring water, offer shade and keep the dog in air conditioning during the hottest hours. Learn the signs of heatstroke and call your vet or an emergency clinic immediately if your dog shows heavy panting, weakness or collapse.

Mental activity counts too. Hide-and-seek, treat puzzles, short training sessions and sniff walks keep a bored Chow from inventing its own entertainment. Choose leashed walks or a fenced yard over busy dog parks, since the breed is not friendly with strange dogs.

Grooming

A Chow's coat is gorgeous and demanding. VCA rates shedding at the top of its scale and grooming needs as high, especially for the rough coat. Brush a rough-coated Chow every other day to prevent mats and control loose hair, and a smooth-coated dog once or twice a week. PetMD says to expect a few hours a week on coat care, with heavier shedding in spring and fall.

Use a pin brush or slicker brush for the topcoat and a rake or comb to reach the dense undercoat, checking behind the ears, under the legs and around the hindquarters where mats form. Avoid shaving the coat, and ask your groomer and vet before any major clipping. Long facial hair can irritate the eyes, and a professional trim around the face may help.

Bathe when the dog is dirty and dry it thoroughly down to the skin. A dense coat can hide skin problems, so part the hair and check the skin regularly. Trim nails, clean the ears when needed and brush the teeth several times a week. Chows are not hypoallergenic.

Feeding

Chows can put on weight easily. PetMD notes that their laid-back lifestyle makes them more prone to obesity, and VCA advises feeling beneath the thick coat to judge body condition, since the fur hides extra pounds. You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing hard.

Feed a complete and balanced diet suited to the dog's life stage. Adults usually eat twice a day, and puppies three or four times. Use our dog food calculator for a starting estimate and adjust by body condition. VCA recommends a large-breed puppy food for growing Chows, which slows growth without changing final size and may lower the incidence or severity of hip dysplasia.

Chows can be at risk of bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus, a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach twists. PetMD suggests several smaller meals rather than one large one, a slow-feeder bowl, avoiding elevated bowls, skipping exercise right before and after meals, and discussing a preventive gastropexy with your vet. If your dog has a swollen belly, retches without producing vomit or seems suddenly distressed, call your vet or an emergency clinic right away. Ask your vet before supplements.

Health

Chows have a number of known health issues. PetMD lists hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, diabetes (obesity raises the risk) and eye problems such as entropion, distichiasis, glaucoma and cataracts. Entropion, a rolling-in of the eyelid, irritates the eye and needs veterinary attention. The same source notes an increased risk of stomach cancer and of bloat, and the AKC adds allergies to the list.

Because of the thick coat and short muzzle, the breed also struggles in heat, and heat-related illness is a risk in warm or humid weather. VCA gives it the lowest rating for warm-weather tolerance.

The AKC lists patella, hip and elbow evaluations, an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist and a thyroid evaluation as the tests recommended by the national club. Lifespan is 8 to 12 years according to both VCA and PetMD.

Between checkups, call your vet about limping, red or squinting eyes, increased thirst or weight changes. A swollen belly or non-productive retching is an emergency.

Health conditions to know about

• Hip and elbow dysplasia — Inherited joint malformations that can cause lameness and arthritis; breeding dogs should be evaluated.
• Entropion and other eye problems — Rolled-in eyelids, extra lashes, glaucoma and cataracts have all been reported; red or squinting eyes need a vet visit.
• Bloat (GDV) — Life-threatening twisting of the stomach; a swollen belly or unproductive retching is an emergency.
• Hypothyroidism — Underactive thyroid; the breed club recommends a thyroid evaluation for breeding dogs.
• Heat intolerance — The thick coat and short muzzle make overheating a real risk in warm or humid weather.
• Stomach cancer — PetMD notes an increased risk in the breed, so report vomiting, weight loss or appetite changes to your vet.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Patella evaluation
• Hip evaluation
• Elbow evaluation
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• Thyroid evaluation

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Chow Chow

A Chow can live in an apartment or a house, since it is calm and does not need much exercise. What it needs is climate control, structure and a household that respects its reserve. It is a poor choice for a hot climate unless you can keep it cool indoors, and in summer it should spend the hottest hours in air conditioning.

The breed is protective, which makes it an alert watchdog but a challenge in busy households. Use secure fencing, keep gates closed and supervise visitors. Avoid placing a Chow in situations that make it feel cornered, such as a crowded party or a rowdy dog park. A quiet room away from the action gives it a place to retreat.

VCA says Chows are generally tolerant of children but may not be playful enough for them, so supervise them together. PetMD suggests the breed does better with older children. Introduce other pets slowly, since many Chows prefer to be the only animal in the house but can live with others raised alongside them.

They enjoy cold weather, but they still belong inside the home with the family.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Chow Chow puppy prices vary widely. A price tag tells you little about health or temperament, so compare breeders on testing, socialization and transparency. The AKC lists patella, hip and elbow evaluations, an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist and a thyroid evaluation as the national club's recommended health tests. Ask to see results for both parents.

Temperament matters as much as health in this breed. Meet the mother and, if possible, the father, and look for calm, stable adults that are reserved but not fearful or aggressive. A good breeder raises puppies in the home, begins socialization early, lets you visit, and asks about your experience, family and climate. Be wary of sellers who offer rare colors at high prices, have many litters at once or cannot show records.

Adult Chows are often available through breed rescues. A grown dog's temperament is already clear, and a good rescue will tell you honestly how it behaves with strangers, children and other dogs. If you adopt, plan on a quiet settling-in period before introducing the dog to visitors.