Chow Chow
What Is The Temperament of a Chow Chow?If we have learned anything in living with our Chow Chows as house pets (family members, actually), it is that, just like people, each and every one has a very distinct and unique personality. They all share a fierce devotion to those they love and trust and a strong will that must be adjusted, but never broken, to accept their master's authority.
They can tend to be a bit suspicious of strangers, and can easily become protective to an excessive degree if not socialized from an early age, or if aggressive behavior is actively encouraged or tolerated. Discipline is best expressed by the master's show of vocal disapproval. Physical punishment will not achieve the desired result, but will create, instead, a hand-shy unreliable Chow.
Most pups will adapt nicely to a multi-animal household. A number of our pups are living in harmony with other dogs, cats, even birds. Chow Chows can be trusted around children, assuming that the parents supervise play activities. No large dog should be trusted with a child alone, until it is a certainty that the child will not abuse the dog and that the dog will not play too roughly and injure the child.
A new baby in the house calls for even more vigilance on the part of the Chow owner. All pets can become jealous if they perceive that their master's attention is focused entirely elsewhere. Introduce the Chow to the baby gradually and continue to show your pet the affection he has grown to expect from you. He will learn that the baby is his to love and protect, too. It takes time and effort, but it will be worth it.
In the past, we have heard stories of "the vicious Chow that lived down the block, who bit everyone in sight, etc." As breeders, we are happy to say that this is past history. The elimination of the former unpleasant temperament caused by indiscriminate breeding for profit has been a major priority of reputable Chow breeders for the past twenty years, and our work has been successful.
We suggest that you evaluate for yourself the temperament of any pup offered to you for sale. Be wary of any breeder who tells you that a pup that growls or runs away, terrified, has a typical Chow temperament. That pup has the temperament that we have been striving to eliminate from our breed for many years.
Expect, instead, a general friendliness, with a certain amount of reserve and dignity, even in a youngster. You are, of course, a stranger to the pup at that moment. Love and devotion will be yours, but only after you have become the pup's master.
We can safely say that once a person owns and loves a Chow, no other breed of dog will provide the same satisfaction. The combination of selective devotion and thoughtful obedience won by working with this intelligent, willful breed is habit-forming.
What Special Care Does a Chow Require?Every dog, whether pure-bred or random-bred, needs love, attention, socialization, grooming and training. Given the size and the tendency toward protectiveness of the Chow Chow, the need for socialization and basic obedience training cannot be too strongly emphasized.
Socialization is actively making your dog a part of your family's social life, introducing him to friends and to strangers in order to encourage him to trust people. This will not make him any less of a watchdog or protector of home and family. On the other hand, encouragement of aggression and tolerance of any antisocial behavior will quickly lead to an unpleasant animal that will not be courteous to your guests or trustworthy with your family. Socialisation is NOT taking the dog to an off-leach area. Take the Chow Chow for walks on the lead in high people areas or around people walking with dogs on leads, sit at cafes and have coffee, let people touch the dog under you supervision.
It is not too difficult to continue the socialization process that every caring breeder begins.
We take the pups out to meet guests & neighbors, take them for rides in the car, and try to expose them to as much pleasant human contact as possible. Continue to do the same. The reward will be a stable, well-adjusted pet.
Obedience training is a must for any dog. Your Chow should walk quietly at your side, sit and stay on command, and come when called. This is the minimum a dog owner should expect. We recommend group obedience classes rather than a private trainer, as these classes train you to train your dog, reinforcing his loyalty to you, and assist in socialization with people and other dogs as well. These classes are offered by Obedience dog clubs, local Adult Education departments and animal shelters.
Your pup's breeder should be able to direct you to a local class. We have found that a dog that has been taught something is happier than one that has not. Your Chow, despite his reserved character, does want to obey and please you. Give him a chance.
Frequent (once a week or more) grooming is very necessary in a long-coated breed such as a Chow Chow. Most owners elect to do their own bathing and grooming. Basic equipment required for Chow grooming is:
Most importantly, start grooming and bathing procedures as soon as you acquire your pup. He will soon grow to enjoy the attention and the time spent together, making future grooming easier for both of you.
They can tend to be a bit suspicious of strangers, and can easily become protective to an excessive degree if not socialized from an early age, or if aggressive behavior is actively encouraged or tolerated. Discipline is best expressed by the master's show of vocal disapproval. Physical punishment will not achieve the desired result, but will create, instead, a hand-shy unreliable Chow.
Most pups will adapt nicely to a multi-animal household. A number of our pups are living in harmony with other dogs, cats, even birds. Chow Chows can be trusted around children, assuming that the parents supervise play activities. No large dog should be trusted with a child alone, until it is a certainty that the child will not abuse the dog and that the dog will not play too roughly and injure the child.
A new baby in the house calls for even more vigilance on the part of the Chow owner. All pets can become jealous if they perceive that their master's attention is focused entirely elsewhere. Introduce the Chow to the baby gradually and continue to show your pet the affection he has grown to expect from you. He will learn that the baby is his to love and protect, too. It takes time and effort, but it will be worth it.
In the past, we have heard stories of "the vicious Chow that lived down the block, who bit everyone in sight, etc." As breeders, we are happy to say that this is past history. The elimination of the former unpleasant temperament caused by indiscriminate breeding for profit has been a major priority of reputable Chow breeders for the past twenty years, and our work has been successful.
We suggest that you evaluate for yourself the temperament of any pup offered to you for sale. Be wary of any breeder who tells you that a pup that growls or runs away, terrified, has a typical Chow temperament. That pup has the temperament that we have been striving to eliminate from our breed for many years.
Expect, instead, a general friendliness, with a certain amount of reserve and dignity, even in a youngster. You are, of course, a stranger to the pup at that moment. Love and devotion will be yours, but only after you have become the pup's master.
We can safely say that once a person owns and loves a Chow, no other breed of dog will provide the same satisfaction. The combination of selective devotion and thoughtful obedience won by working with this intelligent, willful breed is habit-forming.
What Special Care Does a Chow Require?Every dog, whether pure-bred or random-bred, needs love, attention, socialization, grooming and training. Given the size and the tendency toward protectiveness of the Chow Chow, the need for socialization and basic obedience training cannot be too strongly emphasized.
Socialization is actively making your dog a part of your family's social life, introducing him to friends and to strangers in order to encourage him to trust people. This will not make him any less of a watchdog or protector of home and family. On the other hand, encouragement of aggression and tolerance of any antisocial behavior will quickly lead to an unpleasant animal that will not be courteous to your guests or trustworthy with your family. Socialisation is NOT taking the dog to an off-leach area. Take the Chow Chow for walks on the lead in high people areas or around people walking with dogs on leads, sit at cafes and have coffee, let people touch the dog under you supervision.
It is not too difficult to continue the socialization process that every caring breeder begins.
We take the pups out to meet guests & neighbors, take them for rides in the car, and try to expose them to as much pleasant human contact as possible. Continue to do the same. The reward will be a stable, well-adjusted pet.
Obedience training is a must for any dog. Your Chow should walk quietly at your side, sit and stay on command, and come when called. This is the minimum a dog owner should expect. We recommend group obedience classes rather than a private trainer, as these classes train you to train your dog, reinforcing his loyalty to you, and assist in socialization with people and other dogs as well. These classes are offered by Obedience dog clubs, local Adult Education departments and animal shelters.
Your pup's breeder should be able to direct you to a local class. We have found that a dog that has been taught something is happier than one that has not. Your Chow, despite his reserved character, does want to obey and please you. Give him a chance.
Frequent (once a week or more) grooming is very necessary in a long-coated breed such as a Chow Chow. Most owners elect to do their own bathing and grooming. Basic equipment required for Chow grooming is:
- Slicker brush - for puppy coat and removal of shedding hair
- Pin brush - for general grooming
- Wide-tooth metal comb - for general grooming
- Shears - for trimming
- Nail clippers - guillotine type
- Grooming table - optional.
Most importantly, start grooming and bathing procedures as soon as you acquire your pup. He will soon grow to enjoy the attention and the time spent together, making future grooming easier for both of you.
