Discover Everything About Chow Chow
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Chow Chow overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
With 15 mandatory health tests, the Chow Chow faces an above-average number of known health challenges. The musculoskeletal system is particularly prone to hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), which can lead to chronic pain. Furthermore, eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) must be strictly monitored through selective breeding; consequently, purchasing a puppy without comprehensive health documentation is extremely risky.
Lifespan
9–15 yrs
Height
46–56 cm
Weight
20–32 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 3,000 €
- Coat: Dense, either smooth or rough, dense undercoat
- Origin: China
Typical coat colors
- Black
- Blue
- Cinnamon
- Cream
- Red
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 →Is the Chow Chow right for you?
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.
Perfect for you if:
- You appreciate a dog that views you as an equal partner rather than waiting for your every command—blind obedience goes against his primitive Urtyp-Hardware.
- You already have experience with strong-willed breeds and bring plenty of patience for training based on mutual respect.
- You can offer a calm home, ideally with a well-secured garden that he can observe and guard to his heart's content.
- You are looking for a laid-back companion for relaxed daily walks rather than an endurance-focused sports partner.
Less ideal if:
- You expect him to drop everything the moment you call—as an Asian guard dog, he prefers to decide for himself whether your request is actually important enough.
- You have a chaotic household with constant visitors or small children, as he is naturally extremely suspicious and reserved toward strangers.
- You are looking for a clingy 'cuddle dog' that demands constant physical closeness and joyfully throws itself at every person it meets.
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.
Breed Profile
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.
| Height | 46 - 51 cm (Female), 48 - 56 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 20 - 25 kg (Female), 25 - 32 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 9 - 15 years |
| Character | Independent, calm, loyal |
| Coat | Dense, either smooth or rough, dense undercoat |
| Coat Color | Black, Blue, Cinnamon, Cream, Red |
| Price | 1500 - 3000 € |
History
The 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 "Ostkram", 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
Character & Temperament
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.
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
| 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?
What Awaits You
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.
Housing & Care
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 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.
| Family Friendly Loves family life and thrives in a group. | Family-oriented |
| Child Friendly Gets on well with children — with adult supervision. | With supervision |
| Dog Friendly Can get on with dogs it knows — strangers are a different story. | With familiar dogs |
| City Friendly City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation. | Manageable in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
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, you 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.
Nutrition & Care
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. Your 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 Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Elevated risks
Health grade
With 15 mandatory health tests, the Chow Chow faces an above-average number of known health challenges. The musculoskeletal system is particularly prone to hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), which can lead to chronic pain. Furthermore, eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) must be strictly monitored through selective breeding; consequently, purchasing a puppy without comprehensive health documentation is extremely risky.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
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.
The breeder's role
Responsible breeders have hips, elbows, eyes, and thyroids tested and pay close attention to clear airways—though even then, the breed's fundamental risks cannot be completely eliminated.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the Chow Chow
Manuel S., Halter aus Baden-Württemberg (Rüde, seit 2013)
Mein Rüde Tao zeigt von Anfang an das typische, reservierte Verhalten, das man dieser Rasse oft nachsagt. Schon als wir ihn mit 14 Wochen vom Züchter abholten, war er uns gegenüber sofort anhänglich und freundlich, ignorierte jedoch den Bekannten, der uns bei der Fahrt begleitete, komplett. Er ist einfach kein Hund, der sich von jedem anfassen lässt.
Wenn Fremde ihn streicheln wollen, weicht er aus oder dreht den Kopf weg. Er ist zwar neugierig, schnuppert an den Leuten und schaut ihnen in die Augen, aber er bestimmt selbst, wer ihn berühren darf. Das hat absolut nichts mit mangelnder Sozialisierung zu tun, sondern ist einfach sein stolzer Charakter. Wer einen Chow-Chow möchte, muss dieses distanzierte Verhalten gegenüber Fremden akzeptieren.
Sabine T., Hundefreundin aus Hessen (Hündin, 2011)
Eine Freundin von mir wollte unbedingt das Vorurteil widerlegen, dass Chows stur und unerziehbar sind. Sie ging mit ihrer Hündin hochmotiviert in die Hundeschule. Doch mit etwa einem Jahr war Schluss: Die Hündin legte sich mitten im Training einfach hin und machte überhaupt nichts mehr mit. Sie war durch absolut nichts mehr zu motivieren – weder durch Leckerlis noch durch Spielzeug.
Unter Druck erreicht man bei dieser Rasse gar nichts. Herkömmliche Trainingsmethoden scheitern oft, weshalb auch viele Hundeschulen direkt abwinken. Man darf einfach keine Erwartungen wie an einen Schäferhund haben. Die Erziehung funktioniert beim Chow-Chow fast ausschließlich über eine tiefgehende, vertrauensvolle Bindung zum Halter, nicht über Kadavergehorsam.
Janina M., Ersthalterin aus Niedersachsen (Rüde, seit 2021)
Entgegen vieler Ratschläge habe ich mir als ersten eigenen Hund einen Chow-Chow-Welpen geholt. Jetzt, mit knapp acht Monaten, kann ich sagen: Er passt perfekt in unser Leben. Er bellt kaum, macht im Haus nichts kaputt und war extrem schnell stubenrein. Drinnen hat er einen fantastischen 'Ausschalt-Knopf' und ist sehr ruhig, geht aber draußen unheimlich gerne wandern und spazieren.
Wir haben von Anfang an viel Wert auf Impulskontrolle gelegt, was uns im Alltag sehr hilft. Die einzige wirkliche Baustelle, die wir aktuell haben, ist das 'Body Handling'. Er mag es gar nicht, überall angefasst oder gepflegt zu werden, weshalb wir das Bürsten und die Körperpflege sehr kleinschrittig trainieren müssen. Für Anfänger ist die Rasse also durchaus machbar, wenn man konsequent bleibt und sich auf die Besonderheiten einstellt.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
Community Posts
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Frequently asked questions about the Chow Chow
Is a Chow Chow the right dog for me?
The Chow Chow is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Chow Chow live?
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.
How much grooming does a Chow Chow need?
Chow Chow grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Chow Chow good for families with children?
The Chow Chow can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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