Chow Chow

Overview

Chow Chows typically weigh between 40 to 70 pounds. They are aloof, reserved, independent, dignified, intelligent, and stubborn. They'll play with their people, but strangers are of no interest to them. They are powerful and compact dogs, with a distinctive lion’s mane ruff around their head and shoulders. They have been speculated as one of the oldest dog breeds, and believed to have originated in Mongolia and Northern China. The Chow Chow has a low activity level and can live happily in any home, including an apartment or condo. 

 

Common Health Conditions

• Addison’s disease in dogs, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, affects the production of hormones in the adrenal glands, which are located near the kidneys. With Addison’s disease, a dog’s body does not produce enough of these steroids, which include cortisol that regulates metabolism of sugar, fat, and protein.
• Unusually small eyes, causing entropion – eyelids are turned inwards and the lashes rubbing on the surface of the eye – causing irritation, and discomfort.
• Snoring and laboured breathing, caused by insufficiently wide respiratory channels and throat.