Updated October 14, 2024
Updated October 14, 2024
Independent and loyal, Chow Chows are generally quiet dogs with a seriously gorgeous mane. They thrive in calm homes with an experienced, confident pet parents who are ready to not only take on all that grooming but also provide consistent training and early socialization.
Intelligent, Loyal, Aloof
Male: 45-70 pounds
Female: 45-70 pounds
Male: 17-20 inches
Female: 17-20 inches
8 to 12 years
Black, Blue, Cinnamon, Cream, Red
Looking for a dog to live the A-list life with you? Get ready to lift the velvet rope for the Chow Chow. Regal in appearance, these fluffy dogs have been companions to celebrities and royalty alike. They enjoy creature comforts, like mornings lounging in bed and the AC permanently set on high. (Don’t even think about touching it!) Their signature lion-like hairstyle and trademark good looks takes maintenance, but you understand the value of a good morning routine. Protective and aloof, Chow Chows don’t accept just anyone into their inner circle, but that’s OK—neither do you. Send the other applicants on their way; your search for the perfect canine partner is over.
With their regal, lion-like appearance, these medium-sized dogs were born for palace life. Their coats come in a variety of colors, including red, black, blue, cinnamon and cream. (You might find find them in white, lilac or merle, where a secondary color is mottled throughout the coat, but these are outside the breed standard.) Their coat can be either a smooth or rough type. With their straight hind legs that give them a distinctive, stilted gait, the Chow Chow breed stands ready to guard your home.
The Chow Chow ears are small and triangular, slightly rounded at the point.
Their eyes are dark brown and almond shaped.
A Chow's nose is large, wide and black with wide-open nostrils.
The Chow Chow has a double coat (meaning they have longer guard hairs on top of soft undercoats) that is either rough or smooth with a lion's ruff surrounding the head.
Their coats come in a range of colors: red, black, blue, cinnamon and cream.
The Chow's tail is fluffy and feathery and curled over their back.
Not ones for being overly affectionate, these aren’t your average people-pleasing, one-of-the-pack dogs. Chows are generally quiet and naturally well-behaved.
Chow Chows are super clean, easy to potty train and won’t fill your place up with a strong dog smell—traits admired by everyone. Not only that, they’re low maintenance when it comes to exercise, which balances out their need for grooming. Also, these pups are ready to protect your space.
Chow Chows can take time to warm up to strangers. (They are often considered the cats of the dog world.) Their reserved natures and natural scowling expressions can sometimes be mistaken for signs of aggression. Things will go a lot smoother when introducing your pet to new people if you signal everything’s OK by making the first move and initiating the greetings, letting your dog follow your lead. If you start socializing and training your Chow Chow puppy early, they can make great family dogs and can even get along with other dogs in the home. That said, if you have cats, it’s best to find a dog more accepting of felines than the Chow Chow.
Wondering if Chows are a good fit for homes with kids and babies? This independent breed usually does best with older family members who understand that Chow Chows typically don’t enjoy being held or cuddled. So, in addition to training and socializing your Chow early, teach children to properly interact with dogs and handle them with care.
Chow Chows, with their plentiful double coats, require lots of grooming. And their stubborn nature means you’ll need to start training and socializing them as puppies. Thankfully, they aren’t high-energy dogs who need a lot of exercise. A daily walk or two will be sufficient. They also prefer cooler environments to warmer climates (all that thick fur!), so if you live in warmer regions, be sure to crank the AC! While they may not be overly showy with their affection, they will go to great lengths to look out for you and your family, and they’re super smart and quick learners.
The good news is that Chow Chows are generally healthy canines. However, like any breed, they have some health problems a potential pup parent should know about. If you’re planning on adopting a purebred Chow, it’s wise to research responsible breeders. Still, Chows can suffer from a few health issues, including:
The Chow Chow breed can trace their origins as far back as 206 B.C., thanks to artifacts that have been found from China’s Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.) depicting the breed. Thought to be one of the world’s most ancient breeds, some say Chows may have been around even earlier than that.
Originally, the breed served as hunting and sporting dogs in early Chinese history and was used to herd livestock and pull dog sleds. Over time, Chow Chows rose through the ranks to become faithful companions to royalty. Long before the age of influencers, these distinguished dogs were favorites among Chinese nobility. Later on, legend has it that the United Kingdom’s Queen Victoria toted around her own Chow Chow dog with her wherever she went. (It was said her friends felt this habit was un-queenly.) More recently, the American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1903, and today the dog is in the top 100 of the AKC’s rankings of popular breeds in America.
Are you looking to add a Chow Chow as a pet to your family? You can find reputable breeders on the American Kennel Club’s website, where the average Chow Chow puppy costs between $1,800-$3,000. For that price, you usually are getting a dog who’s been screened for health and temperament issues, and they might even come with pedigree papers. You can also reach out to Chow Chow rescue organizations to adopt a Chow, keep an eye out for the breed at your local animal shelter, or search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs in your area.
Expert input provided by Jerry Klein, DVM, chief veterinary officer of the American Kennel Club; and certified dog trainer Mark Forrest Patrick, 2021 chair of the board of directors for the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and president and CEO of Tuxedo’s K9 Training Camp.
Breed characteristic ratings provided by veterinarian Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, CVJ, a veterinarian at Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital in Greeley, Colorado; dog trainer and behavior consultant Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, owner of The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, in Los Angeles; and certified animal behavior consultant Amy Shojai, CABC, in Sherman, Texas.
The health content was medically reviewed by Chewy vets.