Chow Chow

Today the Chow Chow is most commonly kept as a pet. Its keen sense of proprietorship over its home, paired with a sometimes disconcertingly serious approach to strangers, can be off-putting to those unfamiliar with the breed. However, displays of timidity and aggression are uncharacteristic of well-bred and well-socialized specimens. The Chow is extremely loyal to its own family and will bond tightly to its master. The Chow typically shows affection only with those it has bonds to, so new visitors to the home should not press their physical attention upon the resident Chow as it will not immediately accept strangers in the same manner as it does members of its own pack. Inexperienced dog owners should beware of how Chow Chows encounter those it perceives as strangers; their notoriety is so established that many homeowner's insurance companies will not cover dogs from this breed. Males and females typically co-habitate with less tension than those of the same gender, but it is not unheard of for multiple chows of both genders to live together peacefully in a home setting.

Chows are not a particularly active breed. Apartment life can suit them, if they are given enough opportunity for regularly-scheduled physical activity each day. The Chow Chow may appear to be independent and aloof for much of the day, keeping a comfortable distance from others while staying within earshot, or preferring to watch for strangers alone by the entrance. Owners still need to be prepared to take a Chow Chow for a brisk daily walk, even if they have a fenced yard, in order to meet the dog's needs for mental and physical stimulation. While the Chow exhibits low energy for most of the day, it will crave routine time to explore and play to maintain a happy and content disposition. They rank 77th in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, being of the lowest degree of working/obedience intelligence. However, most Chow owners believe this is because the Chow has a different type of intelligence than that found in most dogs. Many Chows excel with positive reinforcement methods of training, particularly "Clicker Training", as the Chow is a natural problem solver and gets bored with endless, repetitive tasks. Unless the Chow is kept engaged, boredom sets in and the Chow will simply walk away or refuse to engage.

Chow Chow Dog Club Directory (Englisch)

Chow Chow Club of Canada

- Includes rankings of all dogs of the breed shown in the country [.pdf], membership list and membership application. Brantford, Ontario, Canada.

Chow Chow Club of Greater New York

- Contains membership list, application, events and photographs. United States.

The Chow Club Inc.

- Information about the club, its national specialty, the breed and breeder referral. United States.

Chow-Chow Ringen

- Information on club history, activities, photos and list of breeders. Sweden. [English and Swedish]

The Royal Belgian Chow Chow Club

- Includes club history, show results, photos and membership form. Belgium. [English and French]

Smooth Chow-Chow Club

- Made up of breeders and exhibitors from the United States and Canada. Includes information on the rough and smooth coat lengths, history, code of ethics and pictorial pedigrees.

Wisconsin Chow Chow Club, Inc

- Features club history, membership information, list of club officers and photo gallery. United States.

Chow Chow Dog Club Directory (German)

Allgemeiner Chow-Chow-Club e.V.

- Der Club wird vorgestellt mit Rassepoträt und Angaben über Züchter und Welpen. Mit Deckrüdenverzeichnis, Chows in Not, Terminkalender, Erfolge auch im Ausland und einer Championgalerie.

Chow Chow Club Austria

- Informationen über den Club, Ausstellungen, Rassestandard, Züchter, Welpen und Chow Chows in Not, Deck- und Wurfmeldungen, Champ-Galerie, Ausstellungs-Ausschreibungen und Terminkalender für Clubabende.