anyone have a chow?

[B.B.'s mom]

does anyone know about the chow breed? i am new to knowing about breeds so please don't yell at me, but i have heard a few bad things about them and i would love it if someone could clear it up.

1st: my father, who is in his late 70s now, was attacked by a chow when he was a small child, he had to get a gazillion stiches on the back of his head and down his back and they had no novacane back then(ouch) so needless to say he is not a fan. he still has the scars.
2: a girl that works at our local shelter got bit by a chow last year and (literally) got a chunk taken out of her hand.

an anyone enlighten me on their disposition? were these bizarre occurrences? i do seem to notice that they are not real common pets, could this be the reason?

[Rip's Girl]

I had a Chow mix with a personality that was 100% chow chow. Her name was Shiner and she is the reason I defend this breed so passionately. She was my heart dog, and I'd be lucky to ever have such a wonderful companion again.

The deal with Chow Chows:
Patience with strangers is not something they possess. They like to get to know someone before asking for physical contact. If someone comes up to a Chow Chow and pets them on the head, they're most likely going to be snapped at. It's intruding and threatening to almost any dog, and with their lack of patience, Chows will snap at that.

A lot of people say that they snap/bite unprovoked, but they really don't. Chows are VERY subtle in their body language. I've seen Chow Chows that do nothing more than widen their eyes or pull the corners of their mouth back before snapping. They are naturally very "stiff" looking dogs, so you can't tell if they are tensed and ready to snap unless you know them well.
Let's say a Chow Chow is standing outside it's yard and someone walks by. Any other breed would most likely bark, growl, and give a huge obvious warning before chasing the person. A chow will not, and at a distance the dog barely looks like they care about someone walking on their property. (And yes, most Chows DO NOT LIKE strangers on or near their property.)

Basically, the breed is "cold" to strangers and will not tolerate being treated carelessly. They're best owned by a dog-savvy person who doesn't want to control their dog's every move. Independence is the word with chows.

They are great dogs with their families, I couldn't have asked for a better friend and protector than Shiner, but if you want a social butterfly or a dog that will tolerate being man-handled by strangers, look elsewhere. They are NOT a dog for everyone.

</senseless rant>

[WingedFoal]

I don't think anyone is going to yell at you for wanting to learn more.

Chows are very good with their families. However, they are very PROTECTIVE of their families. They are aloof and seemingly cold dogs because they don't bask in hugs and sweet talk from their family. They like to BE with their family, but not right up under them.

They are wonderful dogs when you get to understand them... I grew up with a beautiful black chow, he was very very protective of me, if he thought someone was going to harm me he'd be the first to let them know different, so I knew better to take him to many social situations. If people came over, they knew in advance that it was just in his nature to be standoffish. He had bitten one man because the not-so-smart guy tried to grab his leash (and to this day I still don't know why) and Gavin got defensive and bit his hand. That was the last time he was out in very social situations.

Chows can be great entertainers too. I think they are wonderful dogs but they most certainly aren't for everybody.

[WingedFoal]

Here's a link that pretty much sums them up:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/chowchow.htm

[SalemWitchChild]

Both above posters has given great advice. My mother has a full blooded chow. She has been pretty laid back but will protect her space and her people. She's also alpha and won't accept crap from other dogs. She will kill them if they do not accept her. For this reason another half chow of theirs is separated from her other chow.

Like others said, they are a family dog and only loyal to that family. D.O.G. (mothers dog) is also a great seeing eye dog for my mother. She hasn't had real training, but she sensed one day that my mother couldn't see in the dark. Mom was running into things and D.O.G came up and put her head in my mothers hand. Ever since then mom calls D.O.G when she's in the dark and she'll lead my mother wherever she needs to go.

Remember all dogs have the capability to hurt people. But the right training and care will make a world of difference for them.

[B.B.'s mom]

thanks for the link Winged. you all are so good at putting info at my fingertips. i have learned more about different breeds this week than in my entire life. now that i am over my learning obsession with with my dogs breed, i find it really compelling to read about others.

[WingedFoal]

Yay!! There's a LOT to learn though.... It's taken me a long long time and I'm STILL asking questions constantly. Mainly about my dogs' behavior now. But learning about all the breeds IS fun.

I hope that info was what you needed.

[IceyBlueSibes]

I used to own a Golden Retriever/Chow Chow mix. She was the sweetest dog ever, and I think the GR gave her the sweet temperment, yet also protective. We just recently had to put her down a few years ago, and I still cry when I think about what she had gone through as a pup. She was very friendly to strangers, but hated little boys. Which was because they would come to the fence and tease her. But she was my childhood buddy, and I will never forget her.

I don't think all Chows are bad, just as everyone else said, they're dogs that don't give much warning when they're going to defend themselves. My mom's friend told me a story about their friend having two Chows. He said they'd let you in, but if you tried to leave, they'd stand between you and the door, and would not let you move. I've heard a couple of other people say the same.

I think they're beautiful dogs when put into the right hands (big ol' teddies! ) But it's more of a matter of who owns the dog, and whether or not the owner knows and understands the breed. As Grace and Winged said, they're not a dog for everyone, and particularly not a dog for someone who wants to love all over them, and expect them to love every stranger they meet.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

I had Chows for years and like my bullies, they are a very unique breed, their way of doing things, outlook on pack order and things of that nature are unique and can be difficult to understand.

A Chow is very much a "one owner" dog; once they have decided who that special "one" will be they give their all, their heart, their soul and one hundred percent of the devotion and dedication. If in a family type setting ( more than one person in the home ) they tend to tolerate or at least respect other members of the household but will not give one hundred percent of themselves to anyone other than their master.

It is extremely difficult for an adult Chow to come into another house ( be adopted by a new family ) as they've already decided who their master is / was supposed to be and most will never waiver from their choice even if that master is no longer in the picture. They tend to be aloof and wary of strangers, they were originally used for hunting, herding, pulling and protection and still to this day remain very protective of their home and family.

I've found that one of the most important "tools" that must be used when living with a Chow is respect, a respect for them as an active and working member of the house as well as a respect for their place in the pack order. They are very respectful creatures and take an extreme dislike to anyone or anything that fails to return in kind. This breed, along with several others I can think of right off the top of my head is one that temperament MUST be one of the top considerations when breeding and when put into the wrong hands can be a very dangerous breed. When placed in the right hands, bred and raised correctly is a very loving and devoted member of any family.

NOT a breed for everyone and not a breed I would bring into a home with small child who cannot understand the need for respect of the breed and it's pack order.

[gaddylovesdogs]

I am not against this breed but after almost being attacked by one tonight....I wouldn't get one any time soon.

[Cassiepeia]

B.B's mom, I'm so glad you're asking questions about breeds your interested in. I've learned so much in this particular thread.
What fascinating dogs, I don't think I could handle this particular breed but they've always amazed me nonetheless.

Cass.