Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is more than just a fluffy face; it's a living relic, a breed whose origins stretch back millennia in ancient China. Known for its distinctive lion-like mane and a surprising blue-black tongue, this majestic dog carries a rich history intertwined with royalty, utility, and unique genetic traits. Join us as we uncover the fascinating story behind one of the world's oldest and most enigmatic canine companions. The Chow Chow is an ancient breed, genetically distinct from most modern dogs, with roots dating back over 8,000 years in central China. Its most striking features include a dense lion-like mane, a 'stilted' gait due to straight hind legs, and a unique blue-black tongue and oral cavity. Despite its often aloof demeanor and a reputation that can affect insurance, the Chow Chow has a rich history from working dog to royal companion and even a therapist's assistant.
AI Summary
The Chow Chow is more than just a fluffy face; it's a living relic, a breed whose origins stretch back millennia in ancient China. Known for its distinctive lion-like mane and a surprising blue-black tongue, this majestic dog carries a rich history intertwined with royalty, utility, and unique genetic traits. Join us as we uncover the fascinating story behind one of the world's oldest and most enigmatic canine companions.
- The Chow Chow is an ancient breed, genetically distinct from most modern dogs, with roots dating back over 8,000 years in central China.
- Its most striking features include a dense lion-like mane, a 'stilted' gait due to straight hind legs, and a unique blue-black tongue and oral cavity.
- Despite its often aloof demeanor and a reputation that can affect insurance, the Chow Chow has a rich history from working dog to royal companion and even a therapist's assistant.
The Ancient Guardian
Our journey begins in ancient Northern China, where the Chow Chow emerged as a basal breed—meaning its lineage predates most modern dogs we know today. Scientific studies trace its origins back an astonishing 8,300 years in central China, making it a true living link to canine antiquity. This makes them one of the oldest dog breeds still existing.
Over these millennia, the breed developed a robust set of morphological and physiological features perfectly suited to its environment. Its formidable double coat, sturdy build, and perhaps most famously, its unique dark tongue, all evolved over thousands of years to create the distinctive Chow we recognize.
A Legacy of Utility and Status
Chinese legends whisper of 'black-tongued lions' from Central Asia, creatures resembling the Chow Chow, revered for their strength and imposing presence. One emperor was even said to have commanded a pack of 5,000 Chows, highlighting their status and utility in ancient imperial courts.
Beyond their royal connections, Chows were incredible working dogs. Marco Polo, the famous explorer, noted their use in pulling dog sleds across challenging, swampy terrains, a testament to their strength and endurance. They served as hunters, guardians, and haulers for centuries.
While their numbers are small compared to some breeds, the Chow Chow maintains a dedicated following today. Annually, around 10,000 Chow Chows are registered by the American Kennel Club, with the Canadian Kennel Club recording about 350. Their unique charm continues to captivate enthusiasts worldwide.
Curiously, the English name 'Chow Chow' has no direct link to its Chinese designation, which translates to 'loose lion dog.' The origin of its Western name remains uncertain, with theories suggesting it emerged from Pidgin English—a fascinating linguistic puzzle for such an ancient breed.
Distinctive Appearance
Visually, the Chow Chow is a picture of robust elegance. It's a sturdily built, square-profiled dog with a broad skull and small, triangular, erect ears, giving it an unmistakable presence. Its posture is often described as dignified and powerful.
Perhaps its most iconic feature is its incredibly dense double coat, which can be either smooth or rough. The fur is exceptionally thick around the neck, forming a magnificent ruff or mane that truly lives up to its 'lion dog' moniker. This luxuriant coat serves as both a regal adornment and protection.
Prepare for a surprise when a Chow Chow opens its mouth—its tongue, gums, and even lips are a striking purple or blue-black! This unique pigmentation is almost exclusive to the breed; the Shar Pei is one of the very few other dogs to share this trait. It's truly one of nature's peculiar marvels.
The Chow Chow's hind legs are remarkably straight, a structural feature that gives it a rather distinctive, almost 'stilted' gait. This contributes to its powerful, deliberate stride, further enhancing its majestic and somewhat imposing aura. Its tail, thick with hair, curls proudly over its back.
Chow Chows come in a beautiful palette of colors. The American Kennel Club recognizes standard shades like black, blue, red, cream, and cinnamon. However, variations like fawn, white, or merle are considered non-standard, though different kennel clubs globally may have their own accepted classifications.
Cream Fawn Red Blue Black
A Complex Temperament
The Chow Chow is often described as aloof and independent, possessing a cat-like demeanor that can be both charming and challenging. They bond fiercely with their family but tend to be wary of strangers, making early socialization crucial for developing a well-adjusted companion.
Due to their protective nature and powerful build, some insurance companies in the US classify Chow Chows as a high-risk breed, which can impact homeowners' insurance costs. A study from 1979 to 1998 did identify them as responsible for a small percentage of dog bite fatalities, highlighting the importance of responsible ownership and training.
Health Considerations
On average, a Chow Chow lives for about 12.1 years, according to a UK study. While this is slightly above the average for mixed breeds, it's a little below the 12.7-year average for purebreds, emphasizing the importance of understanding common health predispositions.
Like many larger breeds, Chow Chows are prone to certain skeletal conditions. Studies show a higher prevalence of hip dysplasia, with 6.44% affected compared to a 3.52% overall average. They also face elevated risks for cranial cruciate ligament deficiency and notably, the highest prevalence of elbow dysplasia at 48.6%.
Their eyes can be susceptible to glaucoma, with Chows having the third highest prevalence among dog breeds at 4.7%. Dermatologically, they are predisposed to various skin conditions including alopecia X (a type of hair loss), atopic dermatitis, and pemphigus foliaceus, an autoimmune skin disease.
Beyond these, Chows can also face predispositions to conditions like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, certain cancers such as stomach cancer and oral melanoma, and reproductive issues like pyometra in females. They are generally considered a high-risk breed for autoimmune diseases, making vigilant care important.
Beyond the Lore
Perhaps one of the most endearing stories involves Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, and his beloved Chow Chow, Jo-Fi Ling. Jo-Fi was a constant presence in Freud's therapy sessions, where he believed her intuitive presence helped him assess his patients' mental states—a unique role for any dog, let alone a majestic Chow.
Article
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is a spitz-type of dog breed originally from Northern China. The Chow Chow is a sturdily built dog, square in profile, with a broad skull and small, triangular, erect ears with rounded tips. The breed is known for a very dense double coat that is either smooth or rough. The fur is particularly thick in the neck area, giving it a distinctive ruff or mane appearance. The coat may be shaded/self-red, black, blue, cinnamon/fawn, or cream.
History
Chow Chow
A Chow Chow in 1915
The Chow Chow has been identified as a basal breed that predates the emergence of the modern breeds in the 19th century. A research study has concluded that the Chow Chow dog breed originated from other indigenous dogs in central China about 8,300 years ago. The ancient breed evolved and manifests both morphological and physiological features, including its dark tongue, coat of fur, and stronger build.
One Chinese legend mentions large war dogs from Central Asia that resembled black-tongued lions. One Chinese ruler was said to own 5,000 Chows. The Chinese also used Chows to pull dog sleds through swampy terrain, and this was remarked upon by Marco Polo.
Today, the American Kennel Club registers approximately 10,000 Chow Chows a year. The Canadian Kennel Club registers approximately 350.
A puppy Chow Chow
The English name Chow Chow is unlinked to any Chinese name such as the modern 鬆獅犬/松狮犬 (sōng shī quǎn, lit. "loose lion dog") for the same breed, and hence of uncertain origin - possible and folk etymologies refer to Pidgin English.
Appearance
Chow Chow
Female Chow Chow, showing characteristic blue-black tongue
The Chow Chow is a sturdily built dog, square in profile, with a broad skull and small, triangular, erect ears with rounded tips. The breed is known for a very dense double coat that is either smooth or rough. The fur is particularly thick in the neck area, giving it a distinctive ruff or mane appearance. The coat may be shaded/self-red, black, blue, cinnamon/fawn, or cream. Not all these color varieties are recognized as valid in all countries. Individuals with patchy or multicolored coats are considered to be outside the breed standard. Chow Chow eyes are typically deep set and almond shaped. The tongue is purple or blue-black; this color extends to the lips. The Chow Chow is the only dog breed with this distinctive bluish color in its lips and oral cavity; other dogs have black or a piebald pattern skin in their mouths. The hind legs are very straight, resulting in a rather stilted gait. Another distinctive feature is the curly tail. It has thick hair and lies curled on its back. The nose should be black, but blue-coated Chow Chow can have a solid blue or slate-colored nose. According to the American Kennel Club breed standards, any other tone is not acceptable for contests. FCI countries, however, do allow a self-colored nose in the cream.
The blue-black/purple tongue gene appears to be dominant, as most mixed breed dogs that come from a Chow Chow retain that tongue color. However, the blue-black/purple tongue can also be found on the Shar Pei. This is not to say that every mixed breed dog with spots of purple on the tongue is descended from Chow Chow, as purple spots on the tongue can be found on other purebred dogs.
Temperament
Chow Chow
Owning a Chow Chow can raise the cost of homeowners' insurance in the US because some companies consider them high-risk dogs. In a study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Chow Chow were responsible for 8 out of 238 fatalities related to dog bites from 1979 to 1998.
Colors
Chow Chow
Chow Chows can come in a variety of coat colors. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has classified Chow Chow colors as either standard or non-standard (rare colors). The standard colors for Chow Chows are black, blue, red, cream, and cinnamon. However, colors such as fawn, white, and merle are not considered standard for this breed.
Different canine clubs worldwide may acknowledge different coat colors or even use alternative names for the colors mentioned above.
• The different Chow Chow colors • 5 Chow Chows of different coat colors • Cream • Fawn • Red • Blue • Black
Health
Chow Chow
A UK study found the life expectancy of the Chow Chow to be 12.1 years, just higher than the 12 year average for crossbreeds and lower than the 12.7 years average for purebreeds.
Skeletal conditions
A North American study looking at more than a million records of dogs found 6.44% of Chow Chow dogs to have hip dysplasia compared with 3.52% overall. The study also found 4.3% of Chow Chow dogs to have cranial cruciate ligament deficiency compared to 2.52% overall.
Another North American study looking at more than 250,000 elbow scans found the Chow Chow to have the highest prevalence of elbow dysplasia, with 48.6% of dogs over the age of 2 having elbow dysplasia.
Ophthalmological conditions
A North American study looking at glaucoma in dog breeds found the Chow Chow to have the third highest prevalence with 4.7% of Chow Chow dogs having glaucoma compared to 0.89% overall.
Dermatological conditions
A study looking at records from a small animal clinic at the University of Montreal found the Chow Chow to be predisposed to alopecia X.
A review of studies in Australia found the Chow Chow to be prediposed to atopic dermatitis with a 7.1 odds ratio.
A US case study found a predisposition to pemphigus foliaceus with an odds ratio of 12.3.
A breed specific mutation causing tyrosinase deficiency which results in leukotrichia exists in the Chow Chow.
Gastrointestinal conditions
A UK study looking at exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in breeds found the Chow Chow to be predisposed to the condition.
Neoplastic conditions
An Austrian case series found an odds ratio of 23.53 for contracting stomach cancer.
A US study looking at cases of oral melanoma found the breed to be over-represented with an odds ratio of 7.89.
Reproductive conditions
In a Belgian study Chow Chow bitches made up 6.4% of cases of pyometra despite the breed making up 1.6% of the population. Pyometra was found to be more extreme in the breed with anaemia and endotoxaemia reported.
Other conditions
The Chow Chow can suffer from diabetes mellitus, and gastric cancer. Chow Chows are a high risk breed for autoimmune disease.
• A Chow Chow with reddish coat • The Chow Chow's fur is particularly thick in the neck area, giving it a distinctive ruff or mane appearance.
Notable dogs
Chow Chow
Sigmund Freud had a Chow Chow named Jo-Fi Ling who attended all of his therapy sessions because he felt that dogs had a special sense that allows them to judge a person's character accurately, and admitted he depended on Jo-Fi for an assessment of a patient's mental state.