Chow Chow

Comprehensive introduction to the Chow Chow: The furry companion of the ancient East

Chow Chow is an ancient dog breed originating from China. It has a history of more than 2,000 years and is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. This dog is famous for its unique blue-black tongue, lion-like fluffy mane and independent and noble temperament. The Chow was originally used as a hunting dog, guard dog and sled dog in northern China, and later became a favorite companion dog of the royal family. Today, Chow Chow has become a favorite pet dog breed among families around the world because of its cute appearance and calm and quiet personality.

1. Physical characteristics of Chow Chow

The most prominent feature of the Chow Chow is its blue-black tongue, which is a unique landmark feature of this breed and an important basis for identifying purebred Chow Chow dogs. The Chow Chow is medium in size, strong in physique, and has strong bones. The overall posture is square and well-proportioned. Adult Chow dogs are about 46-56 centimeters tall at their shoulders and weigh about 20-32 kilograms. Male dogs are usually slightly larger than female dogs.

Chow Chow has a double coat, the outer coat is thick, straight and thick, and the inner coat is soft and thick, keeping warm like wool. The hair on the neck is particularly rich, forming the iconic appearance of a lion's mane, which is also the origin of its Chinese name "Chow Chow." The coat colors of Chow dogs are rich and diverse, mainly including five standard colors: red, black, blue, cinnamon and cream. Among them, the red Chow dogs are the most common and popular.

The Chow dog has a broad head, small and thick ears, triangular shape, stands upright and leans forward slightly, giving a majestic and alert feeling. The eyes are deep-seated and almond-shaped, and the eyes are deep and mysterious. The tail is raised high, curled above the back, and the hair is fluffy as plum. Overall, the Chow Chow is like a fluffy little lion, both cute and majestic.

2. Character characteristics of Chow Chow

Many people are curious about the personality of the Chow Chow. In fact, the Chow Chow's personality forms an interesting contrast with its appearance. Although it looks cute and cute, the Chow Chow is actually independent, calm, and even a little cold. They are not as enthusiastic and clingy as golden retrievers and Labradors, but maintain an aristocratic reserve and dignity. Chow dogs are wary of strangers and will not get close to them easily, but they are very loyal to their owners and are excellent guard dogs.

Chow's IQ ranks medium among dogs, its learning ability is not particularly outstanding, and its personality is stubborn, has its own ideas, and sometimes appears not very obedient. This does not mean that they are stupid, but because they have the habit of thinking independently and will not blindly obey orders. Training Chow requires more patience and correct methods, and no rough means can be used.

Chow dogs are usually very quiet and rarely bark, making them suitable for raising in apartments. They don't like to demolish homes. They are quite lazy as adults and like to lie quietly next to their owners. Although it looks cold and aloof, the Chow is very gentle to his family and especially patient with children. However, due to its independent character, Chow Chow may not be suitable for people who like excessive enthusiastic interaction with dogs.

3. Breeding methods and daily care of Chow Chow dogs

Many people who plan to raise dogs will ask whether it is easy to raise Chow dogs. In fact, it is moderately difficult to raise Chow dogs. The main challenges are hair care and summer heatstroke prevention. The following details the key points of how to raise a Chow dog.

1. diet

What dog food a Chow dog eats is the most common question asked by novices. Chow Chow's diet should be based on high-quality dog food, and choose full-price dog food with moderate protein content and balanced nutrition. The puppy is fed 3-4 times a day during its puppies and 2 times a day after adulthood. Chow dogs are prone to gain weight, so control the amount of feeding and avoid over-feeding. Don't feed too much snacks and human food to Chow dogs, especially onions, grapes, chocolate and other foods that are toxic to dogs.

In addition to dog food, you can appropriately supplement some cooked chicken breasts, beef, carrots, broccoli, etc. to increase nutritional diversity. Chow Chow dogs must drink enough water, especially in summer, and fresh drinking water must be replaced every day.

2. hair care

Does the Chow Chow dog lose its hair? The answer is yes, and hair loss is quite serious. Chow dogs have two molting periods every year, in the spring and autumn seasons, during which a large amount of hair will fall off. Even during the non-molting period, there will be daily floating hair loss. Therefore, cosmetic care for Chow Chow dogs is a very important part of breeding.

It is recommended to use a needle comb and a row comb to comb the hair of a Chow dog every day for 15-20 minutes each time. This can effectively remove dead hair, prevent hair knots, and promote skin blood circulation. The molting period can increase the frequency of combing, twice a day. The frequency of bathing should not be too high, once every 2-3 weeks in summer and once a month in winter. Too frequent bathing will damage the oily layer of the skin and cause skin problems.

In addition to grooming and bathing, regularly clean ears, trim nails, and squeeze anal glands for Chow Chow dogs. Because Chow Chow's hair is thick, it must be thoroughly dried after taking a bath, especially the underlying fluff, otherwise it will easily breed bacteria and cause skin diseases.

3. Exercise and Environment

The exercise needs of Chow dogs are not very high. Walking 1-2 times a day for about 30 minutes each time is enough. They are not suitable for strenuous exercise and long running, especially in the hot summer. Due to its heavy size, short respiratory tract, poor heat resistance, and easy to heat stroke in summer, Chow dogs must do a good job in heatstroke prevention and cooling, avoid going out during high temperatures at noon, and keep the room cool and ventilated.

Chow dogs are highly adaptable to the living environment and can be raised in apartments and villas. However, because it is medium in size and requires a certain amount of space to move, it is recommended that the living area should not be too small. Chow dogs like cool environments, and it is best to turn on the air conditioner or fan in summer to help them get through the hot season.

4. Chow Chow dog health and common diseases

The life expectancy of Chow dogs is generally about 10-15 years. If properly raised and in good health, some Chow dogs can even live to over 16 years old. Understanding common diseases of Chow Chow dogs and doing good prevention can make dogs healthier and live longer.

Common health problems for Chow dogs include: hip dysplasia, entropion, skin diseases, hypothyroidism, heat stroke, etc. Because Chow Chow dogs have many folds on their skin and thick hair, they are prone to skin diseases, such as fungal infections, eczema, mites, etc. Daily attention should be paid to keeping their skin clean and dry, and regular deworming.

Eye problems are also a high-risk disease in Chow Chow dogs. Entropion (trichiasis) of the eyelids can irritate the eyes, leading to tearing and conjunctivitis, which in severe cases requires surgical correction. It is recommended to take Chow to a pet hospital regularly for physical examination, at least once a year, and elderly dogs can increase the number to once every six months to detect and treat health problems in a timely manner.

Vaccination and deworming are the basis for ensuring the health of Chow Chow dogs. Three doses of combined vaccines and one dose of rabies vaccine should be completed during the puppies, and should be strengthened once a year after adulthood. Deworming in vivo once every 3 months, and deworming in vitro once a month, adjusted according to actual conditions.

5. Key points of Chow Chow training

Training Chow requires patience and skill from the owner. Because Chow Chow dogs are independent and have strong self-esteem, traditional punitive training is not effective, but may cause them to resist. It is recommended to use positive reinforcement training, using snacks and praise to reward correct behavior.

The best training time for Chow puppy puppies is 3-6 months, which is a critical period for socialization and behavioral habit development. You can start with basic simple instructions such as sitting, lying, shaking hands, and defecating at a designated point, and proceed step by step. The training time should not be too long, just 10-15 minutes each time to avoid the dog getting bored.

Social training is very important for Chow dogs. By exposing them to different people, animals and environments from an early age, they can reduce their timidity and aggression in adulthood. When taking Chow dogs out for a walk, you can let them interact with other dogs with docile personalities and develop social skills.

6. Price and purchase suggestions for Chow Chow dogs

The price of Chow dogs varies greatly depending on their origin, appearance, region and purchase channel. Generally speaking, the price of a pet-grade Chow Chow is around US$800 - 1,500, and the price of a race-grade Chow Chow with pure blood and excellent appearance can reach US$2,000 - 3,000 or even higher. In the domestic market, the price of ordinary pet-grade Chow Chow is about 2,000 - 6,000 yuan, and the price of dual-blood race Chow Chow ranges from 8,000 - 20,000 yuan.

When purchasing a Chow puppy, it is recommended to choose a regular kennel or breeder, and ask to check the parent dog's pedigree certificate and health certificate. Healthy Chow puppy should be lively and active, with bright eyes, fluffy and shiny hair, and clean around the anus. Pay attention to avoid buying dogs for the week, and it is best to inspect the kennel environment on the spot.

In addition to the purchase cost, we must also consider the daily expenses of raising Chow dogs, including dog food, beauty, medical care, supplies and other expenses. The average monthly cost is about 500- 1,000 yuan. Before deciding to breed, be fully financially and psychologically prepared to ensure that you are responsible for your dog's life.

7. Summary of Chow Chow's suitability for the crowd

Overall, Chow Chow dogs are more suitable for the following groups of people: people who like quiet and independent dogs; people who have certain experience in dog raising and can train patiently; people who have relatively abundant time and can accompany dogs for walks every day; and families with a certain living environment. Space and summer can do a good job in heatstroke prevention.

People who are not suitable for Chow dogs include: people who want their dogs to be warm and clingy and overly interactive; people who don't have time to take care of their dog hair; people who live in very hot environments and have no cooling conditions; and people who are severely allergic to dog hair.

Overall, Chow Chow is a unique and charming dog breed. Although they are not as enthusiastic and lively as some breeds, they have their own unique charm. As long as you understand and accept their personality characteristics, give them enough care and correct breeding, Chow dogs will surely become quiet and loyal furry members of your family, bringing endless warmth and companionship.