Chow Chow

The Chow Chow dog breed, or Chow, is typically known for its blue-black tongue and lips. The only other breed required to have this uniquely-colored tongue, according to the breed standard, is the Chinese Shar-pei.

This breed stands high at nearly 20 inches. Known for their recognizable lion mane, they can have rough and smooth coats. Their fluffy coat colors include red, black, cinnamon, and cream-colored. Some owners mention that Chow Chows don’t require a great deal of exercise and are incredibly well-mannered. 

Chow Chows have several distinguishing features, including an extra pair of teeth (44 instead of 42), an unusual blue-black/purple tongue, and straight hind legs, resulting in a somewhat stilted gait. 

Size: Chow Chow dogs weigh on average 60 pounds and stand 18 inches at the shoulders.

Coat: There are two varieties: rough-coated with an immensely thick, upstanding coat and smooth-coated with short, dense hair. The coat colors include black, blue, red, cream, and cinnamon.

Tail and ears: They have small, thick, rounded, and erect ears. Their tail curls over the back.

Embark recommends testing Chow Chow dogs for certain genetic health risks, while others are tests whose results are registerable with the OFA for this breed.

Other health issues related to this dog breed

The Chow breed can be prone to certain health conditions, including:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Patellar luxation
• Cataracts
• Gastric dilatation volvulus (Bloat)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Myotonia
• Autoimmune thyroiditis 

Nutrition: Obesity can be an issue with a large number of dog breeds. The Chow is no different. Pet owners must keep their dog at an appropriate weight to extend its life.

Grooming: When you’re teaching your Chow Chow puppy to lie down for grooming and nail trims always use a high-value food item and perhaps a clicker. This kind of breed often responds well to clicker training and positive reinforcement techniques such as play, praise, and food rewards. Grooming requirements depend on the type of coat. A smooth-coated Chow needs brushing once a week and a rough coat Chow should be brushed every other day.

Playtime: Nosework would be a wonderful way to burn some of your Chow’s energy given its strong scenting ability and history of hunting game birds.  

Learn more about your dog — from breed, to health, to coat patterns, and more. Try Embark’s Dog DNA Tests, the most accurate canine DNA kit on the market.