The two most distinctive features of the Chow Chow are its blue-black tongue and its almost straight hind legs, which makes it walk rather stilted. Its dense furry coat is profuse and comes in two varieties, smooth coat and rough coat.
But mainly rough coats here in Australia. The most common colours are solid red, black, blue, cinnamon and cream, but it can also come in tan, but (rarely) white.
The coat sometimes has lighter or darker shades, but is never parti-coloured. The ears are small and rounded and there is a huge ruff behind the head, which gives it a lion like appearance.
Its head is broad and its skull is flat. The muzzle is broad near the eyes and narrows toward a black nose without becoming pointed. The chest is broad and deep and the kidney area is short and strong. The tail is thickly
covered with hair and is carried over its back.
Height, Weight:
Height: 46-56 cm (18-22 inches)
Weight: 20-32 kg (45-70 pounds)
Health Problems:
Beware of hip dysplasia. They are prone to suffer eye irritation called entropion, caused by eyelid abnormality; this can be corrected with surgery. Other than that they are generally healthy.
Living Conditions:
The Chow Chow will do okay in an apartment area but may become inactive indoors and a in small yard. A house with a normal size yard with room to run will suffice. Sensitive to heat, but can live in or outdoors. Beware coat will fade with chows outside.
Exercise:
Chow Chows can be very lazy, but they will keep fitter with regular exercise with a min 20 minutes every couple of days. This does depend on yard size also. (eg) This is base on an avg yard.
Life Expectancy:
About 15 years
Grooming:
Regular brushings of the long coat is important to maintain the lifted, standing-out look. This breed is a seasonal heavy shedder and extra care is needed when the dog is shedding its dense undercoat. Grooming while in season is a must as these dogs shed heavy at this time also.
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