

The Chow Chow is an extremely independent, dignified, and aloof dog—a self-sufficient primitive Spitz type that was bred in China as a guard, sled, and hunting dog, and has retained an almost cat-like independence to this day.
How the health grade is calculated
Sources for required breeding screenings. Allgemeiner Chow-Chow-Club e.V. (ACC)
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Chow Chow fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
9–15 yrs
Shoulder height
46–56 cm
Weight
20–32 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Chow Chow, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Chow Chow — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
A Chow Chow is not a classic companion dog that lives to please you—he is like a dignified cat in a bear suit who decides entirely on his own when to allow affection. You aren't getting a submissive follower, but a loyal, silent guardian whose trust and respect you must honestly earn anew every single day.
The Chow Chow, often called the "lion dog" is an impressive breed of dog. With its powerful build, thick fur around its neck and distinctive blue tongue, it is one of the most unique breeds in the world. His striking and serious facial expression gives him a regal appearance, which is underlined by his stoic and calm personality. This majestic breed belongs to FCI Group 5, Section 5: Asian Spitz and related breeds. The Chow Chow has no distinction between performance and show lines as it has not traditionally been bred for specific work tasks. Instead, he was valued for his striking appearance and unique character.
The Chow Chow is known for its independent and reserved temperament. He is not an exuberant or extroverted dog, but rather a calm and relaxed companion. This makes him an excellent house dog as he is not prone to excessive barking or restlessness. Although the Chow Chow is an independent breed, it is very loyal to its people and can form strong bonds with its family. He is rather vigilant and can deal with strangers be reserved. This makes him a good guard dog that will protect his territory and his family. The Chow Chow is not particularly playful and prefers to spend its days calmly and calmly. He can learn to stay alone, but he also needs the company of his family. He is an intelligent animal that can do well on his own as long as he receives enough mental and physical stimulation. Although the Chow Chow does not have a strong hunting behavior, it should still be well supervised and kept safe as its independence can sometimes lead to it following its own path. This dog is best kept in a home with a secure garden or yard where he can move freely and explore his surroundings.
| Watchfulness A natural watchdog with real protective instinct. | High |
| Openness to Strangers Neither pushily friendly nor suspicious. | Neutral |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Mild interest in movement and small animals — easily managed. | Low |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the Chow Chow is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world and its history may date back up to 3,000 years?
Chow Chows are very independent dogs, with little motivation to work with people. They can be territorial, especially towards other dogs. Chow Chows have a high hunting motivation.
Chow Chows are rather calm dogs that can live well in urban environments as long as they receive enough exercise and mental stimulation. They are not particularly playful, preferring quieter activities. They generally get along well with older children, but can become stressed if played with too roughly by younger children. The breed is rather independent and can be a bit reserved around strangers. This means they may not be the best choice for households with lots of visitors or other pets. They can learn to get along with cats and other dogs if they are introduced to it from an early age, but their independence can make it difficult for them to form close relationships with other animals.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Gets on well with children — with adult supervision.
Can get on with dogs it knows — strangers are a different story.
City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
Chow Chows are intelligent dogs, but they can also be a bit stubborn. Therefore, a positive and patient parenting method is most effective. They benefit from mental stimulation and can learn a range of commands and tricks. However, they tend to be independent and have their own agenda, so training can be challenging. It is important to socialize the Chow Chow from an early age and introduce him to a variety of people, places and situations. This can help reduce his natural suspicion of strangers and make him a well-adjusted dog. Chow Chows are not particularly active and do not require as much exercise as some other breeds. However, they enjoy regular walks and should get daily exercise to stay healthy and fit. It is important to be careful not to overexercise them, especially in hot weather, as they can be susceptible to heat stroke.
Chow Chows need a balanced diet to stay healthy and fit. They tend to be overweight, so it is important to control the amount of food they eat and ensure they get regular exercise. Their food should contain high-quality proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as the necessary vitamins and minerals. When it comes to care, the Chow Chow's thick double coat requires a lot of attention. It should be brushed regularly to prevent mats and keep the skin healthy. They typically shed heavily twice a year when they change their undercoat, so during these times more care may be required. The Chow Chow tolerates cold better than heat, so on hot days it should be kept in the shade and protected from overheating.
| Care Level Needs regular professional grooming — time-consuming and costly. | High-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Enjoys daily movement but isn't a sports dog. | Moderate |
| Shedding Hair everywhere, always — no white clothing survives. | Very heavy |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Elevated risks
Health grade
In the Chow Chow, there are clear breed-specific risks of severe joint problems such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), as well as painful eye conditions like ectropion / entropion. The Allgemeine Chow-Chow-Club e.V. (ACC) therefore mandatorily requires X-ray examinations for HD (limit A–C) and ED (limit 0–2) for breeding. A health-oriented breeder also ensures a free evaluation regarding patellar luxation (PL) and has the eyes thoroughly examined to rule out eyelid misalignments or cataracts. Before buying, demand to see the complete official X-ray results of the parent animals for HD and ED, as well as proof of freedom from ectropion / entropion.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
You must strictly limit heat exposure and physical exertion, regularly care for skin folds and eyes, and honestly factor in a significantly higher budget for veterinary care.
Responsible breeders have parent animals screened for HD, ED, and patellar luxation (PL) and only breed with dogs that are free from ectropion / entropion.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
Tier 1 is the core standard: the tests Allgemeiner Chow-Chow-Club e.V. (ACC) requires, plus further tests from the recommended health standard for this breed. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Core standard. Tests marked “Club standard” are required by Allgemeiner Chow-Chow-Club e.V. (ACC) for breeding approval; the others are part of the recommended health standard for this breed. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Chow Chow costs around ~€190 per month (€100 – €360, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€5,390 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (12 years) it comes to about ~€30,770.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€200 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€190
In the first year
~€5,390
Across the dog's life
~€30,770
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,500 – €3,000
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.

Illustrative image
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Illustrative imageThe history of the Chow Chow goes back more than 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest dog breeds. Its origins lie in Mongolia and northern China, where it was used as a hunting, guard and draft animal. His name "Chow Chow" probably comes from a Cantonese word for "dumplings" or "miscellaneous goods from the East", used by British traders in the 18th century. This breed has a fascinating history that is closely linked to Chinese culture. The Chow Chow was seen as a symbol of wealth and social status in China and was a popular dog in the imperial palaces. He has also been depicted in Chinese mythology and art, and there are numerous legends and stories about this distinctive dog. The Chow Chow was recognized as a separate breed by the American Kennel Club in 1894 and has since become a popular and recognized breed worldwide.
Originally used as a hunting, guard and draft dog, the Chow Chow is known for its distinctive blue tongue and lion-like appearance.
China
Antike
Owners consistently describe the Chow Chow as a very calm, almost catlike housemate. It doesn't push itself on anyone, rarely barks without good reason and likes to seek out cool spots on tile floors instead of using a soft dog bed. Many stress that, laid-back as it is at home, outdoors it's an alert observer.
Its relationship with people, however, calls for a lot of sensitivity. The Chow Chow often bonds very closely with one or two people, but it stays independent even with them and asks for affection only when it feels like it. It usually meets strangers with stoic reserve: as a rule, it really doesn't like being petted uninvited and will deliberately move away.
Many owners feel that busy families with small children are a poor match for the breed's temperament. The Chow Chow values regular, low-key routines and withdraws when there's too much noise. On top of that, it's often uninterested in or intolerant of other dogs, so encounters between males on the leash call for attention and good management.
Sources:dogorama.appmeintierischerfreund.commarkt.dereddit.comhundeforum.com
Owner accounts of training agree that conventional methods quickly hit their limits with the Chow Chow. The breed has little "will to please" and can't be motivated either by pressure or by endlessly repeating commands. If the dog doesn't see the point of something, it tunes you out or simply lies down.
Owners stress that a Chow Chow can only be guided through trust, a deep bond and calm consistency. It rarely forgives rough handling; many reports mention its proverbial memory for its people's missteps. Anyone who tries to break its will by force gets complete refusal or defensive behavior.
On walks, this otherwise unhurried dog often surprises people with a remarkably serious prey drive. When these dogs catch the scent of wildlife, they're ready to go in a flash, so reliable off-leash time isn't easy with many of them. At the same time, almost every owner knows the typical "sit-down strikes" on the way: when the dog decides not to go any farther, it takes a great deal of patience to get it moving again.
Sources:meintierischerfreund.commarkt.dereddit.comforum.hundund.debelcando.de
According to owners, the Chow Chow's dense double coat takes a lot of routine and time. Several times a week it has to be brushed thoroughly down to the skin to prevent painful mats and the hot spots or eczema that can form underneath. During the seasonal shed, many talk about sheer masses of fur that make daily combing essential.
Because of the dense wool, most Chow Chows suffer badly in summer heat. In the warm months, owners usually move walks to early morning or late evening and make sure the dog has a dark, cool place to lie during the day. Strenuous athletic activities or running alongside a bike are completely unsuitable for the breed.
Health-wise, many owners point to the breed's typical weak spots: the wrinkled head and the shape of the eyes repeatedly lead to inward-rolling eyelids (entropion), which have to be corrected by a vet or with surgery. Experienced owners also advise checking bloodlines carefully, since heavily exaggerated lines with excessive wrinkles, narrowed airways and musculoskeletal problems (such as joint and ligament injuries) can be predisposed to trouble.
Sources:meintierischerfreund.commarkt.dereddit.combelcando.devetsaglik.com
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Chow Chow is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Chow Chow is 9-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Chow Chow grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Chow Chow can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Chow Chow comes in these colors: Black, Red, Blue, Fawn, Cream, White, Piebald. Colors that fall outside the breed standard are marked as such on the breed page.
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Chow Chow.