The Chow Chow: fluffy, regal, and affectionate. Dogs of this breed are singular in both appearance and temperament--and as owners know, Chow Chow care can be equally quirky as well, particularly in these dogs' diet and exercise requirements. Below you'll find out everything relevant about how to take care of a Chow Chow: puppy development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and more. For a complete Chow Chow maintenance guide, read on!
Like any dog breed, Chow Chow exercise should happen regularly in order to maintain the dog's health and happiness. And though dogs of this breed are quite athletic, they were originally developed to be companions to royalty, so they're not an incredibly active breed--aloof and even lazy is more their style. That said, the typical adult Chow will need about 45 minutes of physical activity per day; you can begin exercising a Chow puppy at three months of age by taking it on brief (5- to 10-minute) walks, then slowly increasing the walks' duration as the puppy grows.
Chows have physical features, however, that owners should keep in mind when exercising their dogs. First, until a year of age puppies should not take part in activities that include a lot of jumping or running, as doing so can injure their still-developing bones and joints. And regardless of its age, a Chow has nearly straight rear legs that give it a stiff, stilted manner of walking; this physical trait makes these dogs comparatively slow runners, so they're not good jogging companions. Chows are also brachycephalic, meaning they have short noses that don't cool the air they breathe as well as longer-nosed dogs. This, combined with their extremely thick fur, makes chows highly susceptible to heat stroke, so owners shouldn't exercise their Chows in extreme heat--and regardless of the temperature, be sure to give a Chow access to plenty of fresh water at all times.
Safeguards aside, make sure your Chow gets some exercise every day. Though not not the liveliest of dogs, a bored or restless Chow Chow can turn extremely destructive and disobedient--so daily activity will be good for both the dog's sanity and your own. A few exercise ideas:
When indoors, it's a good idea to give your Chow Chow access to one or more balls or chew-toys so it can release pent-up energy, if it has any. It's also recommended that you have a consistent daily exercise schedule for your Chow, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.
Maintenance for these dogs in terms of shedding and drooling is fairly high. Chows shed regularly (and profusely during the twice-yearly shedding seasons), and they drool a fair amount as well.
Some Chow Chow shedding information: these dogs have incredibly thick, double-layered coats that shed hair some for most of the year--but during the spring and fall, when they lose their winter and summer coats, they shed like crazy. Owners say that brushing their Chows 2-3 times per week (and daily during shedding season) helps collect shed hairs some, but doesn't completely solve the problem. Chow Chow owners, therefore, will need to get used to having stray hairs around, and vacuuming and using lint rollers, on a regular basis.
In terms of drooling: Chows often drool in anticipation of food--and though not technically considered "drooling," numerous owners complain of their Chows' messy water-drinking habits. This, they say, can be minimized somewhat by purchasing a specially-built bowl (a Buddy Bowl is a good example); even so, the owners say, their Chows often get dirty and stinky jaws and chests either from drooling or drinking water. This can be lessened some, if you prefer, by tying a bandanna or old towel around your Chow's chest.
Chow Chow food and diet choices, as with all dogs, are vital to their health and well-being. But this breed is unusual in the canine world: Chows were originally developed in China, and those early dogs ate a primarily vegetarian diet consisting of grains and vegetables (along with occasional soy products and fish). This means that modern Chow Chows don't digest animal proteins very well, and do better with similar diets of fresh vegetables, rice, and eggs. The best Chow Chow dog food, then, is home-prepared meals. If you want to feed dry or canned food to your Chow, by all means consult a veterinarian first--and even then, be prepared for the Chow to have digestive issues.
Another problem with the Chow Chow diet is that these dogs are highly prone to bloat, an often fatal condition resulting from the dog eating too fast and trapping excess air in its stomach. The occurrence of bloat is higher in dogs that eat dry food, because it has a tendency to swell once it reaches the dog's stomach; if you give dry food to your Chow Chow, make sure to mix it with a little water, as this reduces the food's swelling in the stomach. Again, the best dog food for a Chow Chow is fresh/prepared, because owners say they tend to not eat it as fast.
Though these amounts may vary depending on the dog's age and activity level, the typical adult Chow Chow needs 2-3 cups of prepared food per day, divided into two meals; puppies need a bit less depending their age, or about 1½ cups of prepared food, divided into three meals until nine months of age. For specific portions, see this adult and puppy Chow feeding guidelines chart:
Owners be warned: by all means, don't overfeed your Chow Chow! Because these dogs are pretty low-energy in the first place, they have a high tendency for obesity. And a fat Chow Chow will have digestive, breathing, and joint problems, not to mention a shortened lifespan. Try and stick to the above-listed portions, give the dog only healthy snacks (no feeding it from the table!), and do not "free-feed" your Chow. Free-feeding is when food is left in the dog's bowl all the time, thereby letting it eat any time it wants; veterinarians agree that free-feeding is the major cause of canine obesity and poor health. It's best to put your Chow's bowl down only at mealtimes, then pick it up 20-30 minutes after the dog begins eating (even if some food remains).
If you're worried that your Chow Chow has become obese, give it this simple Ribs Test: run a hand along the dog's side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's diet time. Decrease your Chow's daily food consumption by one-fourth, and add an extra walk or play period to its daily exercise schedule.
The best dog food for a Chow Chow, puppy and adult alike, is fresh or prepared food. Here's a list of suggested foods:
It's also a good idea to add a spoonful of olive or fish oil to your Chow's meal to give it some necessary omega fatty acid.
The Chow Chow can be either an indoor or outdoor breed. Note that if your Chow lives inside with you, the dog will shed a good bit--so expect a fair amount of hair around the house. And if your Chow lives outside, make sure to provide a comfy doghouse for the dog to sleep in. And no dog should ever be chained up! Doing so will result in destructive and even aggressive behavior from the dog.
For the Chow Chow, apartment living is okay--just make sure the dog gets some daily outdoor exercise.
Another consideration for owners of a Chow Chow: weather. These dogs will be fine in cold temperatures, but a Chow Chow in hot weather may overheat easily. Overall, this breed is best suited to life in mild to cool climates.
Read the grooming requirements for Chow Chows including coat care and other maintenance.
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