ChowChow

[butterflyonmywall]

Eeeek were on the waiting list for a chow chow pup! Does anyone here have one? If so please spam me with pics, tips and tricks!

[Floralnomad]

The only ones I’ve known have been very one person centred , stubborn and anti social with other dogs and animals . One of them also had very severe skin problems as well although I’m not sure if that’s an issue with the breed generally .

[butterflyonmywall]

Fingers crossed it won't be like any you know then

[vanillandhoney]

Is it your first dog or do you have experience with the breed?

I really wouldn't recommend them for first-time owners. They can be difficult to train, stubborn and aggressive with strange dogs. They're known for being "one person dogs" and can be very aloof with strangers (at best) and aggressive at worst.

I'm afraid I've never had a good experience with the breed an as a dog walker I wouldn't add one to to my books unless they were incredibly well socialised and the owners were happy for me to a) walk them solo and b) keep them leashed at all times. Otherwise, no chance. They're big, strong and could do a lot of damage if given the opportunity.

Sorry to sound so negative - is there a reason why you went for this particular breed?

www.vetstreet.com/dogs/chow-chow#personality

"Despite his teddy-bear appearance, the Chow Chow is not a lovey-dovey kind of dog. He is independent and dignified, usually attaching himself to a single person. The Chow is protective and will certainly have affection for his entire family, but most of his devotion will be given to that one special person. Children may be disappointed in the Chow’s complete lack of interest in cuddling or being hugged.

He is distrustful of strangers and may be aggressive toward dogs he doesn’t know. The Chow is highly territorial. Intruders or people he doesn’t know will be warned off with a deep growl and perhaps something a little more physical if they don’t take the hint.

This intelligent but sometimes stubborn dog can be a challenge to train. He responds well to clicker training and positive reinforcement techniques such as play, praise and food rewards, but he also likes to do things his own way. To be successful, you must be patient and you must be willing to try many different methods to see what works. Find a trainer who has an extensive bag of tricks and is experienced with spitz breeds. Keep training sessions short and fun so the Chow Chow doesn’t get bored."

[ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble]

They are absolutely gorgeous though, and my absolute dream dog if I had the time,space and money for it.

However despite their cuteness and looks,they are not easy dogs.

They're temperamental, stubborn,can be distrustful of strangers so groomers/vets can be an issues, they're not really running/jogging active and friendly dogs, can react if pushed too far and can be predatory with cats,small dogs ,small animals and aggressive with other dogs,particularly of the same sex.

They can have issues with their hips,knees, "elbows", eye and throat conditions, skin and coat conditions, the list is fairly long.
Also their coat means that they can get very uncomfortable,poorly and suffer from heatstroke often. Days like today would not make a happy Chow Chow.

They're really not a first time breed and they need a strong,confident owner/trainer.

All these are reasons why it's my dream breed . So blooming adorable though.

[Floralnomad]

Obviously the ones I know are good representatives of their breed 😀. I’m sure there must be some lovely ones out there somewhere , good luck OP .

[butterflyonmywall]

I would not entertain the idea as a first time dog owner! I've had old English sheepdogs and standard poodles previously so have experience and know what I'm getting into - although I'm prepared for this pup to be quite the opposite of what I'm used to! I go dog walking with a KC breeder and this is who I'm buying from so I know know the dam/mum very well and she is just a delight, I've also apparently met the stud but I can't remember him which is a shame.

[vanillandhoney]

Best of luck, then!

I would be prepared for walkers, sitters and daycares to have reservations about taking them on, though. They really don't have great reputations with other dogs so you may find getting care for them quite difficult. Same with groomers appointments if necessary.

I know my post came across quite negatively - I've just never met one that I would happily have as a pet. They've all been dog-aggressive and the two who live here are muzzled and leashed at all times as they're just not safe otherwise. The owner looks permanently stressed!

[butterflyonmywall]

Yeh that is completely fair enough.

I will be working very hard socialising and to the groomers etc from the off. My daughters always on hand for when we're away and the breeder would also look after him so shouldn't be problem. She says

[vanillandhoney]

Sounds like you have it well planned

I also have a breed that doesn't have the best reputation (beagle) and people are always pleasantly surprised when they see how good his recall is! I like proving them wrong!

[butterflyonmywall]

Haha I intend on have the perfect example god help me

It's true though, I am a firm believer that whilst dogs do have traits from bloodlines etc, a good trainer is all that matters!

[ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble]

Good luck OP and enjoy. Seems that you've done your research,know what you're getting into and planned accordingly. I'm so jealous.

Pics when you can,if you want to. I actually really like their personality and aloofness too , not just their looks. I just know I couldn't cope so I live vicariously through others.

[soloula]

My grandparents had a chow and she was the loveliest dog. She was great with us when we were kids. I don't remember her being especially playful but she was a big soft touch and we used to fall asleep cuddling into together when I was wee. She was terrified of cats. I'm always surprised when I read about chows being aloof and more one person dogs as that definitely wasn't the case with her. If I could get a dog I'd love a chow.

[butterflyonmywall]

Of course I will spam anyone who wants when I have pics!!!! Awh that's so nice to hear

[Borderstotheleftofme]

Never met one in ‘real life’ but I strongly believe temperament is mostly genetic and only a small part is due to training.
If the mum has a lovely temperament chances are good the pups will turn out much the same.

The main thing that would put me off is their health issues; entroption, dysplasia, skin problems as another poster mentioned.
All those wrinkles and that thick, plush coat, they don’t strike me as an especially fit and healthy breed.

[GroupSects]

There used to be one on mine and my friend’s paper-round when we were teenagers. We used to have to take turns delivering to the house cos we were both so scared of it, it used to throw itself at the door. Then one day when it was my turn, the door opened while I was putting the paper through and it ran out and bit me.

[ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble]

Ohh I'll definitely be checking back for pics. Hope it all goes to plan and you get to enjoy everything about your dog in all it's fluffiness.

[KipperFaced]

We had one and he was adorable! Loving and good with other people and dogs. Honestly - just a 'normal' dog. He was rather aloof it's true - but only in a 'didn't need to be all over you' type way - so the opposite of a spaniel first example! Jed just take himself off in the house for a sleep. He loved the whole family equally and I had absolutely no qualms leaving him around the children (always under my eye or within earshot as they got older! Just as you should with all breeds)

He loved meeting people and he was absolutely fine off the lead. Walks bored him a bit so he went at a snails pace half the time - they're the perfect dog for those who don't want to walk for hours each day - they of course need a daily walk but they don't demand hours of trekking or anything

Other dogs sometimes didn't like him - I think this is due to their curly upright tails which to another dog can look a little aggressive. My chow was not dog aggressive though - mainly ignored other dogs or showed polite interest

He was however heavily socialised as a puppy! This is crucial with a chow especially. But you know all of this I'm sure.

Just thought I'd post and add a little balance. If you've not owned one then you're just going off what you read online. My husband had 2 before he met me and again, just normal dogs. It's all in that upbringing

[KipperFaced]

They also aren't particularly wrinkled. That's the sharpei and they're a different kettle of fish altogether! They do have folds of course but they're easy to keep clean. Their coat is another matter but again, a daily brush is sufficient and enough to keep mats at bay.

My chow did have the most ferocious growl if anyone knocked on the door though. Hideous sounding. But as soon as you told him it was a friend he was all tail wagging. They are guard dogs so yeah that's in them

[Borderstotheleftofme]

They also aren't particularly wrinkled
They look pretty wrinkled to me?
Unless they are bred for less exaggeration now perhaps?
But the Kennel Club seem to favour exaggeration over normality in my experience

[RunningFromInsanity]

You name a breed and someone on MN will tell you all the worst traits!

[Borderstotheleftofme]

You name a breed and someone on MN will tell you all the worst traits!
Tbf, all breeds have their bad points.
Far better they be mentioned and the buyer aware and prepared for it if they surface rather than only hearing positives then being shocked and unable to cope with the dog at a later date if said ‘bad points’ surface at maturity.

[KipperFaced]

They honestly aren't that bad. Of course it's clear to see they don't have the face of a greyhound!!! But no, the folds on their faces don't inhibit them in anyway and I always found them simple to keep clean and dry.

And remember / I'm speaking from my own personal experience of owning a chow. I'm not speaking for all chow owners and I'm not just googling to throw up the worst traits ...

[Borderstotheleftofme]

They honestly aren't that bad. Of course it's clear to see they don't have the face of a greyhound!!!
But no, the folds on their faces don't inhibit them in anyway and I always found them simple to keep clean and dry
Each to their own, I personally don’t like anything which I think could affect the health of the animal eg squashed faces, excessive wrinkling (and the wrinkling is, IMO anyway, excessive), sloped backs, excessively short legs etc

And remember / I'm speaking from my own personal experience of owning a chow. I'm not speaking for all chow owners and I'm not just googling to throw up the worst traits ...
I think you are very defensive indeed.
I didn’t google to throw up the worst traits
I have seen images of chows before and imo they don’t look like particularly healthy animals and I have heard they are prone to entroption with those ridiculous eyes and hip dysplasia and skin problems, which is why I mentioned it.

If you were to ask me about my own breed in addition to all their good points I would also mention their bad points, like frequently being in the top 10 for most bites, nervousness being common, often not being good with other dogs, being high strung, prone to epilepsy, hip dysplasia etc etc

It doesn’t do any favours to only put a breeds best face forward.
People should know the good and the potential bad.

[KipperFaced]

@Borderstotheleftofme you've 'seen' and you've 'heard.' But you haven't owned? Didn't think so

I'm not defensive - I couldn't care less who owns what dog. I'm simply answering the OPs question with MY experience whereas you are sharing your opinions based on nothing more than what you've 'seen' and 'heard' as you say yourself.

What irritates me is people clearly hard of comprehension - the OP asks if anyone has owned one and if so, for pics and hints etc. She didn't ask for the google views from people who haven't owned one.

[Floralnomad]

@KipperFaced you don’t need to have owned a particular breed to have an opinion , my experience is not from google it’s from knowing a couple of chows , the fact that what I have experienced is exactly the same as one gets from googling does not detract from my experience . That said I must remember in future to not post at all unless I’m specifically answering the question and fulfil all the criteria within the OP in case you are policing any other threads .