Chow Chow: Temperament, Size, Lifespan & Care

Chow Chow temperament and personality

The AKC rates the Chow Chow four out of five for affection with family and five out of five as a watchdog, but two out of five for openness to strangers and with other dogs. Most Chows are deeply loyal to their own people and reserved, even aloof, with everyone else.

Barking is one out of five, so they are quiet guardians. The AKC describes Chows as very intelligent but stubborn. They tend to be clean, dignified companions that prefer calm households to rowdy ones.

How big do Chow Chows get?

The AKC lists the Chow Chow at 17 to 20 inches tall and 45 to 70 pounds. They are powerful, compact dogs with a lion's-mane ruff, deep-set almond eyes, a stiff-legged gait and the breed's famous blue-black tongue.

Coats are rough or smooth, in red, black, blue, cinnamon or cream. Because the coat is so profuse, a Chow can look heavier than it is, or hide extra weight; feel for the ribs.

Chow Chow lifespan and common health issues

The AKC gives a Chow Chow lifespan of 8 to 12 years. It says health issues may include eyelid entropion, hip and elbow dysplasia, allergies and thyroid problems, and that these can be minimized by health screening and managed with veterinary care. Recommended tests are patella, hip, elbow, eye and thyroid evaluations.

VCA explains that entropion, where the eyelid rolls inward, rubs the eye and can cause squinting, tearing and ulcers. VCA notes hypothyroidism often shows as weight gain, lethargy and coat changes. Ask breeders for parent results, and see your vet about squinting, watery eyes, a thinning coat or itchy skin.

Exercise needs

The AKC calls the Chow an active, alert dog with moderate exercise needs: daily walks and moderate play with toys, with minimal rough play or high-impact exercise. It suggests moderate-paced walks four or more times a day.

The AKC warns that Chows do not tolerate high heat or humidity well, so avoid exercise in the hottest part of the day. Early morning and evening walks, shade and fresh water keep a heavily coated dog comfortable.

Chow Chow grooming and shedding

Both rough and smooth Chows have a profuse double coat that needs regular grooming. The AKC suggests thorough brushing at least twice a week and a monthly bath to keep skin and coat healthy, with eye and ear care at each session and regular nail trims.

Shedding is three out of five and drooling three out of five on the AKC scale. The AKC also stresses dealing with fleas or ticks immediately. Brush right down to the skin, especially at the ruff and behind the legs, where mats form.

Training a Chow Chow

The AKC recommends early socialization and puppy classes, and says patience and positive, consistent reinforcement are the keys to training. Harsh methods should be avoided to build trust with this intelligent but stubborn dog.

Socialize widely and calmly with people, places and other dogs during puppyhood, since the breed's natural reserve can harden into suspicion without it. Teach handling for grooming early, because a large, independent adult that resists the brush is hard to care for.

Are Chow Chows good with kids and other pets?

The AKC rates the Chow three out of five with young children. Many do best with calm, respectful older children who leave the dog alone when it walks away; teasing, hugging or rough play is a poor fit.

With other dogs the AKC rating is two out of five. Careful socialization helps, and some Chows live happily with a dog or cat they grew up with, but introductions to new animals should be slow and supervised.

What a Chow Chow needs at home

Useful kit includes a pin brush, slicker brush and wide-toothed comb, a gentle dog shampoo, nail clippers, a sturdy collar and leash, a crate, a cooling mat for warm weather and chew toys. A cool, quiet resting spot indoors suits a heavily coated dog.

Air conditioning in summer is worth having. Book a vet visit soon after bringing your Chow home and ask about eyelid checks, thyroid testing and skin care.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.