Chow Chow for sale

Chow Chow for sale: breed

With deep-set eyes and a large head accentuated by a mane of hair, the Chow Chow (Chow for short) is an impressive dog. His looks might make you think he's mischievous or grumpy, but a well-bred Chow is not aggressive. Instead, the Chow is said to combine the nobility of a lion, the good looks of a teddy bear, the grace and independence of a cat, and the loyalty and devotion of a dog. It is also dignified and aloof, as befits a breed that was once kept in imperial Chinese kennels.

It doesn't like to be cuddled, but will be a quiet and attentive companion to your favorite person, and its loyalty extends to other family members. If he has grown up with children, he will accept them willingly, but he is not the type of dog that tolerates abuse, so he is better suited to living with older children who know how to treat dogs. This is however an extremely territorial and protective breed that will clearly warn off anyone who approaches without welcome.

The most memorable physical characteristic of the breed may be the blue-black tongue. According to Chinese legend, the tongue turned blue-tinted at the moment of creation, when a Chow licked droplets of color as the sky was painted. He also stands out for his almost straight legs, which give him a stiff, twisted or stuck gait. He is not fast, but has excellent stamina and can be a good walking companion.

When it comes to training, a verbal correction is usually all that's needed to placate a Chow Chow. No dog should ever be hit and it is particularly counterproductive with this breed. A proud and independent Chow will never respond to physical abuse. You can earn his respect with a firm consistency and so you will have no problem training him.

If you admire the Chow Chow's unique looks and independent spirit, you'll have a loyal companion that will be a real treasure in your home.

Chow Chow for sale: brief history

Experts have long speculated that the Chow Chow is one of the oldest dog breeds, and genetic testing has proven this to be true. The ancient breed is believed to have originated in Mongolia and northern China, slowly moving south with the nomadic tribes of Mongolia.

Early images of Chow Chow-like dogs appear in pottery and paintings from the Han dynasty (206 BC to 22 AD). One Chinese emperor is said to have kept 2500 pairs of Chow as hunting dogs. In addition to hunting, the dogs were used to guard the owners' wealth. Their fur was used to make clothes and their meat was considered a delicacy.

In China, the breed has gone by several names: black dog (hei shi-tou), wolf dog (lang gou), bear dog (xiang gou) and Canton dog (Guangdong gou).

British merchants in the late 18th century included some of the bear dogs in their cargo. The miscellaneous items, including the dogs, were referred to as „chow chow” and the name stuck to this breed.

In 1781, the Chow was described in a British book, The Natural History and Antiquities of Selbourne, by the naturalist Gilbert White. His neighbors brought home a pair of Chow Chow from Canton (now Guangdong), and included them in his observations of country life. Breeders say the breed has changed little since White wrote about them more than 200 years ago.

A century later Chow Chow was regularly imported. Queen Victoria, who loved dogs, took an interest in the breed, which increased its popularity. A breed club was formed in England in 1895.

The first Chow Chow to appear at an American dog show was named Takya, who occupied the third place showroom of the Westminster Kennel Club Kennel Club in 1890. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed in 1903, the Chow registered with the AKC was named Yen How.

Chow chows were all the rage among the rich and famous during the 1920s. They even made it to the White House, where President Calvin Coolidge and his wife kept Timmy, a red Chow, and Blackberry, a black Chow. Sigmund Freud was also a Chow fan, and his daughter Anna kept and bred this breed of dog. A more recent fan is Martha Stewart, and her dog sometimes appears on her show.

Today, Chow Chows rank 64th in popularity among the 155 breeds and varieties recognized by the AKC.

Chow Chow for sale: size

The Chow Chow is between 43 and 51 cm and weighs between 18 and 32 kg.

Chow Chow for sale: personality

Some compare the Chow Chow's disposition to that of a cat: aloof, reserved, independent, dignified, intelligent and stubborn. A good Chow should never be aggressive or timid. Chows tend to mind their own business and usually no problems arise. He will play with his family, but strangers are not interested unless they approach his home without his owner's invitation. However, he will let others touch him if introduced by one of his owners.

A Chow Chow needs to be widely socialized, introduced to new people, dogs and situations as a youngster.

Chow Chow for sale: health

Chow Chows are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they are prone to certain health conditions. Not all dogs will have any of these diseases, but it is important to be aware of them if you are considering this breed.

If you are buying a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you the health records of the puppy's parents. Health certificates prove that a dog has been tested and recovered from a specific condition.

The following problems are not common in this breed, but may occur:

• Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition in which the thigh does not fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both hind legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis may develop. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but can be aggravated by environmental factors such as rapid growth due to a high-calorie diet or injury.
• Entropion causes the eyelid to roll inward, irritating or injuring the eyeball. One or both eyes may be affected. If your Chow Chow has entropion, you may notice it by rubbing the eye. The condition can be surgically corrected.

Chow Chow for sale: care

Chow Chows can adapt to a variety of homes, from palaces to apartments. But they should always live indoors with their family, not stuck in a backyard. Like any dog, an adult Chow Chow needs daily exercise to stay healthy and happy, but not very much time; it will be happy with a few 15-minute walks daily or a longer walk.

Chow Chows are more than capable of learning anything and a verbal correction is usually all that is needed to normalize them. No dog should ever be hit, it is particularly counterproductive with this breed. A proud and independent Chow will never respond to physical abuse. Earn his respect and you'll have no problem training him.

Chow Chow for sale: feeding

Recommended daily amount: 2 to 2 3/4 to 2 3/4 cups of quality dry food per day, divided into two meals. Note: How much your adult dog eats depends on size, age, build, metabolism and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like humans, and not all dogs need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that an extremely active dog will need more food compared to a less active one. The quality of the dog food you buy also makes a difference - the better the food, the more nutrients and satiety it will provide, without you having to constantly check his bowl. Keep him in good shape by weighing his food and feeding him twice a day, rather than leaving food out all the time.

Chow Chow for sale: coat color and grooming

Chow Chows can have two types of fur, rough and smooth. Rough fur, what most people are used to seeing, is thick and abundant. Beneath this outer layer is a soft, thick, woolly undercoat. The hair is thickest around the head and neck, forming a mantle or mane. The tail is also thick. Smooth coat has a rough, dense, smooth outer layer (long hair on ears, legs, tail or body). In both types, the coat comes in five colors: red, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream.

Wash it three times a week to keep the coat in good condition. Chow Chows shed often and the coat needs extra attention at that time.

Caring for a Chow Chow is not for amateurs: this is a breed that is harder to maintain. You'll need to allocate considerable time to grooming and bathing: you should bathe it at least a few times a month or more, and you'll need to bathe it every time it gets dirty.

Brush your dog's teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurks inside. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Remove your nails once or twice a month. Start getting him used to being brushed and examined when he's a puppy. Frequently handle his paws and check his mouth. With a positive experience full of praise and rewards, you'll lay the groundwork for easy vet exams and other maneuvers when he's an adult.

Chow Chow for sale: relationships with children and other animals

When raised with children, the Chow Chow can handle children well, but is not a dog that will tolerate too much abuse from a small child. The Chow fits best in families with older children who understand how to treat a dog. As with every breed, however, you must teach children how to approach and touch dogs and always supervise any interaction between them to prevent any biting. Teach your child never to approach the dog while eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog's food. No dog, however friendly, should be left unattended with a child. With proper introduction and training, Chow Chow can join cats and other animals.