The Chow Chow..

[lovemylittleones]

I am very interested in people's feelings about the Chow Chow breed. I have heard numerous negative stories relating to chows (i.e. attacks), and I am curious as to what some of you on here have to say. I am a dog groomer, and in the shop I work in, the ONLY dog we do not work with is Chows. When I was in school, I groomed a few Chows (partly because I was the only student willing to do so). I speak with other salon owners, and I still have not come across any who will work with Chows. In fact, a woman called the store the other day and asked if we would groom her Chow. I told her that is the only breed we do not do. She told me she was having a lot of difficulty finding places that will work with her Chow. I am not the salon owner, so it's not my say on what breeds can or cannot be groomed in our shop. Also, I don't tend to see many Chows around in general. I live in the city, and almost everyone has a dog . I see tons of breeds, and although I see the occasional Chow, I see less of them then most others. Is there something in particular about Chows that make people so uncomfortable? Personally, I am so interested in this breed. I just think there is something truly amazing about them. I have never had any negative experiences with them, but I have met way too many people who have. Are there any Chow owners here? Anybody want to share their thoughts/feelings about this breed?

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

I do not currently have Chows but had them for years and found them to be terrific dogs. The breed is one however that requires a special understanding of their ways and training requires consistancy throughout the life of the dog.

The breed was an "all-purpose" dog, they were used for herding, hunting, pulling and protection. Their past is something one would do well to remember when considering or working with the breed. A very intelligent breed with an extreme independent spirit and it is very much their nature to be pretty reserved with strangers. They have a dignity all their own unlike any other breed I have ever seen and many believe, as I do, that they truly are a one owner dog. Once a Chow has given it's respect and itself to that owner it will never again give itself so openly to another.

Please don't misunderstand when I say they are a "one owner" dog, Chows do very well in a family environment but to them, there is only one true master and others in that home are simply the master's family if that makes sense. Yes, they will take commands from other in the household they respect and love but not as willingly as those that come from the master of their heart and soul.

There are those that will tell you that Chow do poorly with small children. This is something I have never seen in a home where the Chow was allowed to be himself and given the respect and dignity he requires. My own did very well, I had them before my children were even born and my babies grew up with our Chows. My alpha male not only looked after my children but it was he who taught them to walk, my daughters would grab handfuls of his hair and pull themselves up, Ti-Son would stay steady as a rock watching to make sure they were up all the way and would then look at their feet, every step they took he would match and when they would wobble he would once again stand steady to help them get their balance. Both of my daughters have many fond memories of the chows, Ti-Son in particular and could tell you so many stories.

In my own opinion I think that many have a dislike for the breed because they consider them "sneaky" or untrusting which couldn't be further from the truth. Their actions do give off that impression at times but its really only their aloofness with strangers and their typical "wait and see" attitude while they think things through that makes people question. I have met many a Chow with temperament issues just as I have met many other breeds with the same problem. One must remember that when dealing with a dog that really should have been classified as a guardian breed that without early proper training the dog will do what it was made to do and that isn't the fault of the breed.

The only reason I don't have Chows still to this day is because when my Ti-Son passed away I couldn't consider bringing another into my home, each one I would compare to my Ti-Son and still do to this day. That, is something that wouldn't be fair to any animal and so I choose to not to do it. I miss my Chows dearly and they'll always be my first love.

It doesn't surprise me that most grooming shops won't take in a Chow, the general public in my own opinion is far from educated on the breed and remain wary of what they choose not to understand.

[Sayuri]

That was a fascinating post, Sonja. I really learned a lot about Chows! I have personally had only limited experience with the breed, but I've not once had a bad one - what Sonja's said resonates with me - all the Chows I've ever met were owned by people that understood the breed and knew what they were doing.

[lovemylittleones]

"One must remember that when dealing with a dog that really should have been classified as a guardian breed that without early proper training the dog will do what it was made to do and that isn't the fault of the breed."

Yes, Absolutely. What always confused me about this is I don't get the same reaction when talking about other guardian-type dogs, i.e. Pit or Rotti, etc.. People may exercise caution, but I have never heard of a groomer (or other doggy workers) who would turn an APBT away, for example.

Sonja, you gave a lot of helpful information. Much of what you said about their personalities is exactly what draws me to them.. They are just so amazing..

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Yes, Absolutely. What always confused me about this is I don't get the same reaction when talking about other guardian-type dogs, i.e. Pit or Rotti, etc.. People may exercise caution, but I have never heard of a groomer (or other doggy workers) who would turn an APBT away, for example.

For many who feel they understand dogs in general it seems that they feel that they can "tell" when they've run across a dog of ill temperament simply by watching its actions where with the Chow, it seems the "average" lay person is unable to read them as easily. Their actions are much different, they do still give off certain signs when uneasy, frightened or angry but not in the same fashion as most. Maybe thats why the Chow remains on the " do not take in" list of so many groomers....their simply unable to read the dog. jmo

[Novel]

I will admit I have had difficulty in the past reading Chows and I am one of those that am wary of them. The only experiences I've had with them are when they were being boarded in a kennel, and I just don't think any were ever comfortable or felt safe there. We always had to place them in isolation and put them in the runs that we could feed and water through the door, and lock out to clean.
From your description above Sonja, I'm sure there were many reasons that they acted as they did, and with some time and the education I have now, I could probably come to love the breed, however, I do know that I am a dog owner that needs my dogs to need me every second and be heavily dependent on me, because why else would I have Weims....
Thank you for your post. I learned alot!!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

I just don't think any were ever comfortable or felt safe there.

Very few Chows are truly comfortable away from their master in a kennel type atmosphere unless they've been around them since very young. They tend to get very worried and at times a bit crabby about it. It takes someone wanting to take the time to get comfortable with them and allow them to do the same in turn.

Your welcome

[CTDog]

I've worked around a few chows at a boarding kennel and now at my job as a vet tech. I am no more cautious with a chow than I am with a other "guardian" type, strong dogs. They should all be treated as individuals. We have one gorgeous red chow that comes in wiggling his butt like a golden...happy to see everyone. You can do anything with him and he doesn't care. To think his owner found him as a stray!

My friend is a groomer and she will groom chows. A couple don't need to be muzzled at all. A couple only for certain procedures and one nearly the entire time. Her attitude is that if they have to be groomed...they have to groomed.

[flyndog]

The tricky thing about Chows is that they have little or no threat behavor. They were bred for that. The only time I was ever bitten was by a Chow. My last dog was a Chow mix. I miss her.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Originally Posted by flyndog

The tricky thing about Chows is that they have little or no threat behavor. They were bred for that. The only time I was ever bitten was by a Chow. My last dog was a Chow mix. I miss her.

Very true, well sort of...not the "average" type of behavior thats for sure. I've met a few with none at all.

[Cassiepeia]

I've always loved Chows, although that's based purely on what I've read about them, as I've never met one. I hope to one day..but they're not very common down here.

Anyhoo..was just wondering. One of the things that turns me off every having one is their coat. Sonja, how much time is dedicated to caring for that gorgeous coat? Are the short coated ones just as time consuming?

Cass.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Originally Posted by Cassiepeia

I've always loved Chows, although that's based purely on what I've read about them, as I've never met one. I hope to one day..but they're not very common down here.

Anyhoo..was just wondering. One of the things that turns me off every having one is their coat. Sonja, how much time is dedicated to caring for that gorgeous coat? Are the short coated ones just as time consuming?

Cass.

The smooth coated require much less work, really no more than your average short haired dog BUT the rough double coat is VERY time consuming. They do not require tons of trimming but a few hours of brushing and combing. Medium / coarse steel comb, a fine toothed comb with a handle, 7" grooming shears, a slicker, safari pin brush...conditioning shampoos and a good spray on coat dressing were always in my bag of goodies. lol

Can't forget the garbage bag! Especially during seasonal changes, you would be amazed at how quickly you can fill a grocery sized bag full of hair in just a half hour! lol Worth every minute in my opinion but there are those that prefer not to spend that much time and that rough double coat cannot go without grooming!

[Cassiepeia]

Yikes! *faints*
Well, I like the look of the rough coats but I don't think I'm up to that kind of grooming. LOL

I admire anyone who is...shows much love and dedication.

Cass.

[TribalRats]

I have always loved the looks of a chow however I have never known one personally.
Sure do know a heck of alot more about them now then a did before I read this thread though.