Fun Chow Chow Facts For Kids

Chow Chows are mostly found in northern China and are known for their double coat and blue-black tongue. These dogs have a stilted gait with triangular round-tipped ears and they weigh around 40-70 lb (23-34 kg) and are sturdily built. These kinds of dogs can be a good companion to humans and they get along with families well. Chow Chows are known to be very protective of their loved ones, although they are not very fond of socializing on the whole. The thick fur of this breed of dog and the double coat around the neck gives the impression of a mane, how wonderful! The color of their fur may vary from black, blue, or cinnamon to cream or red, and the origin of this unique breed can be traced back thousands of years in China. This dog breed is not very active and is quite calming when it comes to their energy level, so it can be a great pet in a relaxed household. Owners should know that regular grooming, training, and exercise are required for this dog, so if you wish to learn more about this amazing breed, you can read some of the interesting facts presented here!
 

What type of animal is a Chow Chow?

Chow Chows are a breed of dog.

What class of animal does a Chow Chow belong to?

They belong to the class of Mammalia.

How many Chow Chows are there in the world?

Chow Chows are domesticated dogs and no definite number of Chow Chows in the world is known. The American Kennel Club registers around 10,000 Chow Chows a year and the Canadian Kennel Club registers around 350 a year.

Where does a Chow Chow live?

Chow Chow dogs are very adaptable. In ancient times these dogs were considered to be hunting dogs who also helped in wars, but they are now kept as pets. They can adapt to the limited space of an apartment, but proper grooming of their fur and lots of training are essential so that they do not develop any health complications.

What is a Chow Chow habitat?

Chow Chow dogs are purebred dogs, hailing from northern China. In the late 18th century they became popular around the world. Due to their thick fur, they are adaptable to colder regions, therefore it is better to keep them away from temperate and tropical regions if possible.

Who do Chow Chows live with?

Even though Chow Chow dogs are an independent, spirited breed they are very responsive to human care which makes them easy to keep as a pet. However, they are not overly welcoming to strangers because of their protective nature. Therefore, Chow Chows must be properly socialized when they are young. On the other hand, this breed of dog is very protective of its family members which makes a Chow Chow a good companion for humans.

How long does a Chow Chow live?

The average life span of this dog ranges between 11 and 13 years unless any health complications are spotted. In case of any usual symptoms or complications owners should contact the vet as soon as possible.

How do they reproduce?

The male Chow Chow dog mates with the female Chow Chow through natural breeding to reproduce. Generally, the dog reaches sexual maturity at around six months to a year old. For Chow Chows, mating can difficult, due to their short legs and body structure. Also, the female Chow Chow tends to be either aggressive or shy when it comes to mating. Another problem with Chow Chow breeding is that many of their babies tend to be too big for the mother to give birth naturally, so generally, C-sections are required for the birth of these puppies.

What is their conservation status?

Unlike other animals, Chow Chows do not have any potential threats at the moment. They are domesticated and hence, these breeds are Not Listed under the IUCN.

What do Chow Chows look like?

Chow Chows are a strong-built, muscular, medium-sized dog breed with a stilted gait which they acquire due to their straight hind legs which gives them a square appearance. They have thick fur and the color of the fur may vary. Their nose color also varies from black, or blue to slate. They have almond-shaped eyes and a curly tail. As they are quite chubby and fluffy they look a lot like teddy bears, but their most distinguishing feature is the unique blue-black color of their tongue.

How cute are they?

Chow Chows have thick fur which makes them look like teddy bears, which is super cute! Also, the fur near their neck area looks like mane which is why they were also known as lion dogs in Ancient China. Their rounded almond-shaped eyes and round-tipped ears with a curly tail make them adorable both as a puppy and an adult, crashing the cuteness meter and making them one of the most adorable pets out there!

How do they communicate?

Like most dog breeds, there are many gestures through which Chow Chows let their owners know how they are feeling. Chow Chows do not bark a lot and they are known to be quite quiet dogs. If they bark, it is probable that they sense a threat. They certainly develop a unique bond with humans which make communication even easier with proper training.

How big is a Chow Chow?

An average male Chow Chow would be around 19 in (48 cm) in size, while a female Chow Chow is around 18 in (45.5 cm). They are medium size dogs that are twice the size of a Pomeranian.

How fast can a Chow Chow run?

Chow dogs are not as active as other dog breeds as they have low energy levels, but they do need to have some exercise to keep them in good health and in shape. They are not fond of running but they can be a good partner for a relaxed stroll.

How much does a Chow Chow weigh?

A Chow Chow’s puppy, by the time it is three months old, may weigh around 21-26 lb (10-12 kg) for males, while a female Chow Chow puppy who is in proper health may weigh around 18-23 lb (8-10.5 kg). While grown-up male Chow Chows weigh around 55-70 lb (25-32 kg) and the adult female Chow Chow dog breed may weigh around 44-59.5 lb (20-27 kg). They gain weight very easily, therefore, owners have to be really careful while feeding them.

What are their male and female names of the species?

The male Chow Chow is known as a 'dog' while the female Chow Chow is called a 'bitch'.

What would you call a baby Chow Chow?

Baby Chow Chows are known as Chow Chow puppies.

What do they eat?

This thick-coated dog breed needs a high calcium and low protein diet and owners can feed them good quality dog food (both dry and wet) which is widely available in the market. Owners should take proper care during the initial growth years and provide puppies with all the required nutrients for both bone and muscle development.

Are they slobbery?

Chows are drool-prone but they do not drool in excessive amounts. You may find them drooling in moderation but in case of excessive and usual drooling, it is advised to contact a vet.

Would they make a good pet?

Chow Chows make a good pet but you have to maintain them properly. Chow Chows are one of the more unique dog breeds and they are a great pet to own. The thick coat of the breed may be rough or smooth so needs a fair amount of grooming and maintenance. Chow Chows are also known for their stubborn nature so this breed of dogs needs good training and exercise and proper socialization. They are not very physical with their love; that is, they do not like too much hugging. But they have lots of love to give in other ways!

One of their less ideal characteristics is that they have the tendency to chew and nip things, and also play-bite while playing with someone. Generally, they get along well with families and children but they are a little skeptical about strangers. Another part of their uniqueness, they are really quiet! They tend to sleep for 12 to 14 hours a day.

Did you know...

Here are some unique facts about Chow Chows!

Chow Chow dogs are one of the world's oldest dog breeds. Even in the pottery and paintings of the Han Dynasty, we can find the figure of dogs that are very similar to Chow Chows.

Various folklore is associated with the black-blue tongue of a Chow Chow, one of which is that Chow Chow dogs licked pieces of blue sky that fell on earth, thus acquiring the black-blue tongue.

The name of this breed of dog didn’t originate in China in fact ‘Chow Chow’ is a Pidgin English term that was used to refer to many items imported from the Far East.

Unlike most breeds in the world (except for the Chinese Shar-Pei) the Chow Chow has a blue-black tongue which marks the authenticity of the breed. Chow Chow dogs are not initially born with blue-black tongues. The tongue develops its color once the puppy opens its eyes. If you ever find this unique color tongue in another breed, other than the Chinese Shar-Pei, they may be a Chow Chow mix.

What else are Chow Chows called?

The  Chow Chow dog goes by a lot of names and spellings! Sometimes they are called the Chau Chau or Chou Chou. They are also known as ‘hei shi-tou’, ‘lang gou’, ‘xiang gou’, and ‘Guangdong gou’.

Should you let Chow Chows swim?

A Chow Chow dog has thick fur and this double-coated Chow Chow, when wet, can become waterlogged. This means that they are not good swimmers so swimming must be avoided for Chow Chow breeds.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Chow Chow coloring pages.