CHOW CHOW AND ROMANIAN MIORITIC SHEEPDOG KENNEL

Chow Chow, or Chow, is a breed of dog originating from China, where it is referred to as

Songshi Quan (Pinyin: s­ngsh qun ), which literally means "puffy-lion dog."

It is believed that the Chow Chow is oneof the native dogs used as the model for the Foo dog,

the traditional stone guardians found in front of Buddhist temples and palaces.

(Imperial guardian lions, also called Fu Lions or Foo Dogs, and called Shi  in Chinese, are

powerful mythic protectors that have traditionally stood in front of Chinese Imperial palaces,

temples, emperors' tombs, government offices, and the homes of government officials and the

wealthy from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), until the end of the empire in 1911.

In Greater Tibet, the guardian lion is known as a Snow Lion and similar to japanese shishi.

Imperial guardian lions are still common decorative and symbolic elements at the entrances

to restaurants, hotels, and other structures. In Myanmar they are called Chinthe and gave their

name to the World War II Chindit soldiers).

Appearance

The Chow is a sturdily built dog that is square in profile with broad skull and small, triangular

ears that are rounded at the tip.

The breed has a very dense coat that is either smooth or rough. The fur is particularly thick

around the neck, giving the distinctive ruff or mane.

The coat may be one of five colors including red, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream.

Individuals with patchy or multicolored coats are considered to be outside the breed standard.

Chows are distinguished by their unusual blue-black/purple tongue and very straight hind legs,

resulting in a rather stilted gait.

The blue-black/purple tongue gene appears to be dominant, as almost all mixed breed dogs

who come from a Chow retain the tongue color. This is not to say, however, that every mixed

breed dog with spots of purple on the tongue are descended from chows as purple spots on

the tongue can be found on a multitude of pure breed dogs.

Temperament

Today the Chow Chow is most commonly kept as a companion dog.

Their keen sense of proprietorship over their homes paired with a sometimes disconcertingly serious

approach to strangers can be off putting to those unfamiliar with the breed. However, displays of

timidity and aggression are uncharacteristic of well-bred and well socialized specimens.

The proper Chow owner will be just as willful and stubborn as the Chow he keeps, thus weaker-willed

individuals would be best served to evaluate their commitment in controlling an animal who is happy to

take over any household. Specimens of opposite sex typically cohabitate with less tension than those of

the same sex, but it is not unheard of for multiple chows of both sexes to live together peacefully in a

home setting.

Chows are extremely loyal to their own family, so visitors to the home should not press their affections

upon the resident Chow.

The typical Chow's behavior is thought to be more similar to a domestic cat rather than a domestic dog.

Chows are not a particularly active breed. Apartment life suits this breed. They can be rather lazy, so

you need to be prepared to take him or her for a brisk, daily walk, even if you have a fenced yard that

he can explore.

Their independence and wistfulness is often mistaken for lack of intelligence.

Chows tend to be stubborn, dominating, and at times disobedient, thus many trainers do not recommend

Chows as a good choice for first time dog owners.

Health

A close-up of the Chow's characteristic blue-black tongue

The chow chow is the number 1 ranked dog that is affected by elbow dysplasia.

They are also prone to hip dysplasia, occular disorders such as entropion, thyroid disease, and

patellar luxation (slipping knee caps).

The risks of such disorders increases exponentially when a chow is purchased from backyard

breeders and those unscrupulous kennels that do not test their breeding stock for such genetic disorders.

As such, a potential chow buyer would be best served to ask to see all health clearances for the parents

of a litter such as Canine Eye Registration Foundation and Orthopedic Foundation for Animals up front.

Reputable kennels will provide the new owner with a written and signed health guarantee as well.

Although there is no way to accurately predict the lifespan of an animal, one should expect the healthy

chow to live between 10 to 12 years.

History

The Chow is a unique breed of dog thought to be one of the oldest recognizable breeds.

Research indicates it is one of the first primitive breeds to evolve from the wolf.

Recent DNA analysis confirms that this is one of the oldest breeds of dog. From what records survive,

some historians believe that the Chow was the dog described as accompanying the Mongolian armies as

they invaded south into China as well as west into Europe and southwest into the Middle East during

12th Century,although a Chinese bas-relief from 150 BC shows a hunting dog similar in appearance to the Chow.

Later Chow Chows were bred as a general-purpose working dog for herding, hunting, pulling and guarding.

In China, some farms still raise chows for meat. The dogs are not called chows because they make good "chow",

as is commonly supposed.

In fact, when they were first shipped to England, they arrived in boxes marked "chow chow", pidgin English for

miscellaneous merchandise.

The customs people simply assumed that was what they were called and the name stuck.

"How did that dog get a black tongue?"

Definitely one of the most impressive of all dogs, the Chow Chow is an awesome creature with his lion-like appearance and regal manner. With puppies that look like walking teddy bears, it's no wonder that the Chow is one of the most popular breeds today.

More than 2,000 years old, the Chow was bred to be an all-around working dog capable of surviving in a hostile environment. Hunting, herding, guarding, pulling sleds the Chow could do it all. First kept by fierce Mongolian tribes in China as a hunting and guard dog, the Chow was also used for their meat and fur. The true origin of the breed is unknown; some historians believe it descends from ancient Roman Mastiff-type dogs crossed with Spitz types. Others believe the Chow is the ancestor of the modern Spitz group of dogs as well as the Akita and Shar-Pei.

How the Chow got his blue-black tongue is also a mystery. A delightful old fable provides an answer: When God was painting the sky blue, He spilled a few drops as He worked. The Chow followed after, licking up the drops of paint and from that day forward, the Chow Chow had a blue tongue!

The Chow's first appearance outside of China (where they are seldom seen today) was in England in the late 1800's. Sailors returning from the east brought them back in the cargo hold of the great trade ships. "Chow Chow" was a slang term applied to the large variety of items carried by these ships. Like a nickname, the term stuck to these dogs.

Chows make exceptional house pets. Despite their size (17-21" at the shoulder, 45-85 pounds), they are very quiet, naturally well-behaved, not diggers or barkers and aren't destructive. They're one of the easiest breeds to housebreak. Chows do, however, have a very different personality than other dogs. They are cat-like in their attitudes: aloof, reserved with affection, independent, dignified and stubborn. Although their soft fur is ripe for hugging, they don't always enjoy being fussed over by children or strangers. For people who want a cuddly lap dog that will instantly love all their friends, the Chow is likely to be a disappointment.

Temperament and behavior

The Chow Chow is very intelligent but not always easy to train. They don't have the strong desire to please their masters as do breeds like the Golden Retriever. They seem to please themselves first and don't respond to the average methods of training and motivation. They do not tolerate physical punishment and can't be forced into anything. Hitting or beating a Chow will either result in viciousness or a broken spirit. Like a cat, a Chow is only willing to do what suits his mood at the time. He's an independent thinker and will make his own decisions if you don't stay a step ahead of him! The Chow is a powerful, regal, beautiful animal and he knows it. He expects to be treated with dignity and respect respect that he will return if you show you're worthy of it.

From this description, I think you can see that the Chow Chow is not a breed for everyone. Its temperament is often misunderstood and many people mistakenly believe that Chows are vicious dogs. This breed is naturally suspicious of strangers and very territorial. They take their homes and family very seriously as well as their responsibility to protect what they love. On his own property and especially without his owner present, the Chow can appear to be quite fierce. He will seldom let a stranger pass unchallenged. People used to the warm welcomes of other breeds are unprepared for the seriousness of the Chow; guests must be greeted by the owners before the dog accepts them.

he Chow's appearance also contributes to the myths about his temperament. The scowling, sometimes wrinkled face, small deepset eyes, and lionlike ruff are intimidating. Some people complain that they can't "read" a Chow's expression as easily as other breeds'. The Chow's natural aloofness, dignity and indifference to people outside his family is often misinterpreted by people who expect most dogs to be outwardly friendly and affectionate. The Chow saves his affections for those he loves dearly and finds little reason to seek attention from anyone else. He minds his own business and simply doesn't care what other people think of him!

The strong-willed Chow needs an equally strong-willed owner. They have definite minds of their own and can easily become your master if you allow it. Chow puppies are naturally well-behaved, more so than most breeds. They're seldom destructive or disobedient. Because of their good behavior, many people fail to train them properly. When an untrained Chow reaches adolescence, that dreadful teenage stage all dogs go through, he may refuse to accept your authority. We've found that most people who've had behavior problems with their Chows failed to train them and earn their respect.

Although the Chow adjusts well to being alone during your working hours, he prefers to be with you when you're home, not kept as an outside dog. He loves to spend time outside but tied up or confined away from people, he'll become very anti-social. Because of their hunting instincts, Chows without training don't always get along with cats or tiny dogs. They aren't "pack" dogs either and seldom get along with large dogs of the same sex.

The dangers of popularity

In all honesty, some Chows do have temperament problems. The breed went through two periods of dramatic public popularity, once in the 1930's and again during the 1980's. In a rush to cash in on this popularity and sell puppies quickly for a profit, unscrupulous or inexperienced breeders and pet owners often used Chows with unsuitable temperaments for breeding. Believing the myths that Chows were supposed to be unfriendly or aggressive, they didn't know or didn't care that this kind of disposition is not acceptable in reputable circles. Experienced, responsible breeders with a sincere interest in what's good for Chows and the people who buy them refuse to use stock that is aggressive or shy.

Coat care

The Chow's thick coat requires a lot of care. Puppy coat is very dense and soft, easily tangled and can take several hours a week to groom. The transition period from puppy to adult coat may take several months and your Chow needs to be groomed almost daily during that time. Adult coat is easier to care for but will still need at least an hour or two a week to look its best and prevent matting. Chows shed seasonally, not daily. Once or twice a year they shed their coats and you'll literally be filling trash bags full of hair at that time! Although the smooth coated variety would seem to be less work, it, too, sheds seasonally and needs regular, thorough grooming. You'll need to train your Chow to cooperate and lie on his side during the long hours of grooming. Most Chows would prefer to be groomed by their owners rather than suffer the indignity of going to a professional groomer.

Chows come in five colors: red, black, cream, blue and cinnamon. There's no such thing as "champagne," "silver," "lilac," "chocolate" or "white" Chows -- these "exotic" colors are just creative interpretations of the regularly accepted colors. Colors other than red are not rare and shouldn't cost more.

Red varies from a deep mahogany to a light golden red with light shadings on the tail, breechings and ruff. Red puppies are born a "mousy" brown, often with a black mask. This mask will eventually fade is usually gone at maturity. The fluffy baby coat will start to grow at three months of age and often is not what the adult shade of red will be. To get a clue, look at the adult hair beginning to grow on the face and feet. The nose should be black with no pink spotting. Eyes on all colors of Chows should be as dark as possible.

Black is self-explanatory but some black Chows have silver shadings in tail or breechings (or both). Black Chows sometimes turn "rusty" when kept outside or in the sun. A "chocolate" Chow really is a rusty black! Black Chows are born black.

Cream varies from ivory to a very pale fawn. They are cream from birth and sometimes have tan ears and legs. Light red puppies are often mislabeled as creams by inexperienced breeders. Creams are seldom seen at dog shows because their noses, which may be black as puppies, always turn brown by maturity, and a brown nose is a disqualification.

Blue is a steel gray color, sometimes with silver shadings as in the blacks. Poor quality blues may have brown shadings and blues can also "rust" in the sun. The muzzle and legs have a salt and pepper mixture of light and dark hairs. Noses on blue Chows are often gray or slate-colored. This is the only color of Chow where a black nose is not required, but the nose must not be brown.

Cinnamon varies from a light tan or fawn to almost red. Very light red puppies are sometimes mislabeled as cinnamon. Like the blues, a true cinnamon has a salt and pepper mixture of light & dark hairs on its muzzle. The coat color sometimes has a pinkish cast. Cinnamons may be grayish at birth and have even been mislabeled as blues! This gray cast is usually gone within a few weeks. Cinnamons must have a black nose, not brown.

Chows' tongues are pink at birth and gradually darken. They should be completely blue-black at the age of eight weeks. Some tongues don't change completely. This fault disqualifies the Chow from the show ring and it shouldn't be used for breeding.

As with any breed, Chows can be prone to various health problems. Hip dysplasia and entropion are probably the most common. The chances that your Chow will become dysplastic are reduced if you buy your puppy from a breeder who x-rays hips of breeding animals and certifies them free of dysplasia before breeding. Ask for a warranty against crippling hip dysplasia for a period of at least two years. It has been estimated that as many as 50 percent of all Chows have hip dysplasia. This percentage would be greatly reduced if more breeders would x-ray their stock before breeding.

Entropion is a condition where the dog's eyelids turn inward toward the eyeball rather than outward as they should. This causes irritation to the eye and if left untreated, can lead to blindness. Entropion is usually inherited but can also be acquired later in life as a result of eye injury or infection. Entropion isn't always apparent in young puppies. When you're shopping for a puppy, you should expect to see, clear, dry sparkling eyes on the parents of the litter. Runny, inflamed eyes or crusty eyelids are not normal for a Chow and should be treated by a veterinarian.

Skin and hormone problems are also seen in Chow Chows. These, too, are often inherited and seldom apparent in a young puppy. Ask questions about the parents of the puppy you have in mind. If you're not satisfied with the health, appearance or temperament of the parents, do not buy the puppy!

Good temperament in Chows is partly inherited and partly made by good training and socialization. Almost all Chow puppies are friendly and irresistible. Your puppy won't be little for long and you want to be happy with the adult dog who'll share your life for many years to come. Start out on the right foot by choosing a puppy from parents who have the kind of temperament you want! You should be able to touch and handle the parents of your puppy. They shouldn't be overly shy nor aggressive toward you with their owner present. If you don't like the disposition of the parents or can't handle at least one parent of the litter, do not buy the puppy!

Another source of healthy Chows with good dispositions is through Chow rescue adoption programs. Most homeless Chows became that way through no fault of their own. Their owners had to move, divorced, or met with family tragedies that forced them to give up their dogs. Experienced Chow rescue volunteers screen dogs for good temperament and health and look for families especially suited to each one. These dogs are usually young adults although puppies and older dogs are sometimes available. Despite the Chow's reputation as being a one-family dog, rescued Chows are adaptable and adjust well to a new home. Many of us are just too busy to raise and train a puppy. An older, rescued Chow may fit into your busy lifestyle much easier.

Those of us who know and understand Chow Chows cherish their quiet dignity, proud aloofness and their deep loyalty to those they love. To be loved by a Chow is like no other experience. After that, anything less is just another dog.

For breeder referrals and the address of a Chow club near you, contact:

STANDARD

An ancient breed of northern Chinese origin, this
all-purpose dog of China was used for hunting,
herding, pulling and protection of the home.

While primarily a companion today, his working
origin must always be remembered when
assessing true Chow type. 

A powerful, sturdy, squarely built, upstanding dog of Arctic type, medium in size with strong muscular development and heavy bone. The body is compact, short coupled, broad and deep, the tail set high and carried closely to the back, the whole supported by four straight, strong, sound legs. Viewed from the side, the hind legs have little apparent angulation and the hock joint and metatarsals are directly beneath the hip joint. It is this structure which produces the characteristic short, stilted gait unique to the breed. The large head with broad, flat skull and short, broad and deep muzzle is proudly carried and accentuated by a ruff. Elegance and substance must be combined into a well balanced whole, never so massive as to outweigh his ability to be active, alert and agile. Clothed in a smooth or an off standing rough double coat, the Chow is a masterpiece of beauty, dignity and naturalness, unique in his blue-black tongue, scowling expression and stilted gait.   SIZE AND PROPORTIONS   Size The average height of adult specimens is 17 to 20 inches at the withers but in every case consideration of overall proportions and type should take precedence over size : Distance from tip of elbow to ground is half the height at the withers. Floor of the chest level with tips of elbows. Width viewed from the front and rear is the same and must be broad. It is these proportions that are essential to true Chow type. In judging puppies, no allowance should be made for their failure to conform to these proportions. Substance Medium in size with strong muscular development and heavy bone. Equally objectionable are snipy, fine boned specimens and overdone, ponderous, cloddy specimens. In comparing specimens of different sex, due allowance must be made in favor of the bitches who may not have as much head or substance as do the males. There is an impression of femininity in bitches as compared to an impression of masculinity in dogs. Proportions Square in profile and close coupled. Distance from forechest to point of buttocks equals height at the highest points of the withers. Serious Fault Profile other than square. HEAD Skull and Stop The head is proudly carried, large in proportion to the size of the dogbut never so exaggerated as to make the dog seem top heavy or to result in a low carriage. The top skull is broad and flat from side to side and front to back. Coat and loose skin cannot substitute for the correct bone structure. Viewed in profile, the top lines of the muzzle and skull are approximately parallel, joined by a moderate stop. The padding of the brows may make the stop appear steeper than it is. Muzzle The muzzle is short in comparison to the length of the top skull but never less than one-third of the head length. The muzzle is broad and well filled out under the eyes, its width and depth are equal and both dimensions should appear to be the same from its base to its tip. This square appearance is achieved by correct bone structure plus padding of the muzzle and full cushioned lips. The muzzle should never be so padded or cushioned as to make it appear other than square in shape. The upper lips completely cover the lower lips when the mouth is closed but should not be pendulous. Nose The nose is large, broad and black in color with well opened nostrils. Disqualifying Fault Nose spotted or distinctly other color than black, except in blue Chows which may have a solid blue or slate noses. Mouth and Tongue Edges of the lips black, tissues of the mouth mostly black, gums preferably black. A solid black mouth is ideal. The top surface and edges of the tongue a solid blue-black, the darker the better. Disqualifying Fault The top surface or edges of the tongue red or pink or with one or more spots of red or pink. Teeth Strong and even with a scissors bite. Eyes     Dark brown, deep set and placed wide apart and obliquely, of moderate size, almond in shape. The correct placement and shape should create an Oriental appearance. The eye rims black with lids which neither turn in nor droop and the pupils of the eyes clearly visible. Serious Faults Entropion or ectropion, or pupils wholly or partially obscured by loose skin. Ears Dark brown, deep set and placed wide apart and obliquely, of moderate size, almond in shape. The correct placement and shape should create an Oriental appearance. The eye rims black with lids which neither turn in nor droop and the pupils of the eyes clearly visible. Small, moderately thick, triangular in shape with a slight rounding at the tip, carried stiffly erect but with a slight forward tilt. Placed wide apart with the inner corner on top of the skull. An ear which flops as the dog moves is very undesirable.