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Dog · FCI group 5

Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is an ancient spitz breed recognized for its dense coat and dignified presence. It carries a calm, independent, and naturally protective temperament. You will find that this dog thrives on routine, calm surroundings, and early socialization.

  • Independent
  • Aloof
  • Quiet
  • Loyal
  • Protective
  • Dignified
Chow Chow
OriginChina
Size
Dog
Height at the withers
43.2 to 56 cm
Lifespan
8 to 15 years

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

How long does a Chow Chow live?

A Chow Chow lives 8 to 15 years.

Large cohort studies report a median lifespan of 12.1 years, while broader veterinary references cite life spans ranging from 8 to 15 years.

[S2][S10][S12][S13][S14][S15][S16][S17]

What health problems are common in the Chow Chow?

The most common in the Chow Chow are: Entropion, Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Patellar Luxation, Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Gastric Carcinoma, Cruciate Ligament Rupture.

2 weeks to 12 months

Entropion [S23][S24][S25][S26]

A genetic condition where the eyelid margins roll inward, causing the eyelashes to rub directly against the eye surface.

Ask your vet about:

  • Annual ophthalmic exam by a specialist
  • OFA Eye Certification registry (CAER) evaluation
From 16 weeks (initial detection) to adulthood

Hip Dysplasia [S24][S25][S26]

An orthopedic malformation where the hip ball and socket fit together improperly, leading to joint wear and stiffness.

Ask your vet about:

  • Pelvic radiographs evaluated by the OFA at 24 months
  • PennHIP distraction index evaluation starting at 16 weeks
Young growing dog to early adulthood

Elbow Dysplasia [S24][S25][S26]

An abnormal structural development of the elbow joint that causes pain and forelimb lameness.

Ask your vet about:

  • Two-view flexed elbow survey evaluated by the OFA at 24 months
Juvenile to adult

Patellar Luxation [S24][S25][S26]

A condition where the kneecap slips out of its normal anatomical groove during movement.

Ask your vet about:

  • Physical stifle palpation by a licensed veterinarian
  • OFA Patellar certification exam at 12 months
Young to middle adulthood

Autoimmune Thyroiditis [S24]

An immune-mediated dysfunction where the dog's body attacks the thyroid gland, leading to low thyroid hormone levels.

Ask your vet about:

  • OFA Thyroid blood panel including free T4 by dialysis
  • cTSH and thyroglobulin autoantibody (TgAA) screening
8 to 10 years

Gastric Carcinoma [S27][S28][S29][S30][S31]

A malignant cancer that develops in the tissues lining the dog's stomach wall.

Ask your vet about:

  • Abdominal ultrasonography
  • Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with mucosal biopsies
2 to 7 years

Cruciate Ligament Rupture [S32]

A tearing of the primary stabilizing ligament within the knee joint, often related to the breed's straight rear legs.

Ask your vet about:

  • Cranial drawer and tibial compression tests
  • Stifle joint radiographs

What is a Chow Chow's temperament like?

The Chow Chow is an aloof, quiet, and devoted breed with an independent mind. It forms a deep bond with its family and stays naturally suspicious of unfamiliar people.

[S1][S4][S17][S18][S19][S20]

How much exercise does a Chow Chow need?

A Chow Chow needs 45 to 60 minutes of exercise a day.

Chow Chows display a low to moderate energy level and behave calmly inside the home. They need steady daily walks to maintain their weight and protect their joints.

  • Energy2 / 5
[S11][S17][S19]

How does a Chow Chow handle heat and cold?

The dense double coat provides strong protection against cold weather. The breed handles heat poorly and shows high susceptibility to exertional heat illness.

  • Handles heat1 / 5
  • Handles cold5 / 5
[S10][S17][S21]

How much does a Chow Chow shed, and how do you groom it?

Brush the coat two to three times each week with a slicker brush and metal greyhound comb down to the skin. Increase brushing to daily sessions when the dog sheds heavily.

Double coat (rough or smooth varieties)

  • Shedding4 / 5
[S2][S10][S11][S17][S22]

Is a Chow Chow good with children and other pets?

This breed tolerates apartment living well because it stays quiet and barks rarely indoors. It succeeds best around older, polite children who respect personal boundaries. Early socialization helps manage territorial aggression toward unfamiliar dogs and smaller animals.

  • With children2 / 5
  • With other pets2 / 5
  • In an apartment4 / 5
[S11][S17][S19]

Is a Chow Chow easy to train?

Chow Chows are intelligent and stubborn, resisting repetitive drills. Use consistent, positive reinforcement rather than physical force, and introduce early socialization from eight to sixteen weeks.

  • Ease of training2 / 5
[S4][S17][S19]

What does a Chow Chow eat at each life stage?

  • PuppyProvide high-quality puppy food designed for steady physical growth. Consult your vet to choose a recipe matched to your puppy's development.
  • AdultFeed a balanced adult diet suited to the breed's lower metabolic rate and moderate activity level to stop excess weight gain.
  • SeniorSelect a complete senior formula that keeps your dog in a lean body condition. Ask your vet for diet evaluations during senior wellness visits.

Where does the Chow Chow come from?

Originating in northern China, the Chow Chow dates back over two thousand years to the Han Dynasty. Historically, people used these dogs for hunting game, guarding monasteries and estates, herding, and pulling carts. Merchant vessels brought the breed to Great Britain in the late eighteenth century, and kennel registries recognized it internationally during the twentieth century.

Country of origin: China.

[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6]

Fun facts about the Chow Chow

  • A standard feature of the Chow Chow is its blue-black tongue and dark oral tissues; puppies are born with pink tongues that darken within eight to ten weeks. [S1][S4][S18]
  • The breed has a characteristic straight-legged, stilted gait caused by very straight angles in the rear hocks and stifles. [S18][S19]
  • In Chinese, this dog is called Songshi Quan, a name that translates directly to 'puffy-lion dog'. [S5][S19]
  • Martha Stewart owned several Chow Chows, including one named Genghis Khan who won Best in Breed at Westminster in 2012. [S33]

Tips by life stage and weather

  • PuppyExpose your puppy between 8 and 16 weeks of age to diverse sounds, people, surfaces, and handling to build confidence.
  • PuppyPractice gentle, reward-based training early so your puppy learns cooperative habits without pushing resistance.
  • AdultKeep a steady routine of 45 to 60 minutes of low-impact walking every day to support joint health.
  • AdultBrush the double coat thoroughly two to three times each week to stop deep tangles and mats from forming.
  • SeniorMonitor your older dog for signs of chronic vomiting or appetite drops, and take the dog to the vet for stomach checks.
  • SeniorMaintain gentle daily movement to protect mobility without putting sharp strain on stiff stifle joints.
  • Hot seasonWalk your dog only during early morning or late evening hours to protect it from dangerous heatstroke.
  • Hot seasonKeep your dog inside climate-controlled rooms with plenty of shade and fresh water on warm days.
  • Cold seasonLet your dog enjoy outdoor time safely, as its thick double coat provides natural insulation in cold temperatures.
  • Cold seasonCheck skin and coat health beneath the dense fur after cold outings to make sure the undercoat remains dry.
  • Rainy seasonDry the heavy undercoat down to the skin with a towel after rainy walks to prevent skin issues under the fur.
  • Rainy seasonComb through the dense fur promptly after damp outings to stop wet undercoat hair from matting.

In the Kiba Vet app, your pet's breed profile shows a tip of the day based on its age and the weather where you live.

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

Checked against sources; veterinary review pending. Updated on September 29, 2026.

Written with the help of AI from the cited sources and checked fact by fact against them by a second model.

Sources

Every health fact and every number on this page comes from these sources. Identifiers from Wikidata (CC0).