How to Identify a Chow Chow

Last Updated: June 15, 2021 References

A non-sporting breed from ancient China, the Chow Chow is possibly one of the world's oldest dog breeds.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} Chow Chows, or Chows for short, have several distinctive physical traits and a unique temperament that make them stand out.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} By being aware of these key traits, you can get a better idea of whether a dog is a Chow Chow.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Checking the Body Structure

1
See how large the dog is. Chow Chows are not small dogs. They are 17–20 inches (43–51 cm) tall and can weigh between 45–70 pounds (20–32 kg).^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
2
Check the dog's tail. Chows have high-set tails. Their tails are carried closely to their backs.^{[4]
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3
Spot small ears. Sometimes hard to find, the ears of a Chow Chow are small and triangular.^{[5]
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Research source} They stand erect, slightly tilted, and are firm at the base and slightly rounded at the tip.^{[6]
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4
Inspect the eyes of the dog. Chows have dark brown eyes. Their eyes, placed wide apart, are deep set and resemble the shape of almonds.^{[7]
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5
Look for a blue tongue.^{[8]
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Research source} Perhaps one of the Chow's most identifiable traits is a blue or purple tongue. If you see the dog's short, broad muzzle^{[9]
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Research source} as it opens its mouth, see if it has a blue tongue.

Did you know? Some people theorize that the Chow Chow is a mix of the Samoyed and Tibetan Mastiff, but due to the breed's unusual blue tongue (which is unique to just Chow Chows and Shar-Pei), experts believe instead that Chows are one of the original dog breeds as they've been around since beyond ancient times.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
6
Notice the dog's build. Chow Chows have strongly musculed bodies. They are described as short, broad, and compact.^{[11]
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Research source} They have a stilted, stiff-legged gait.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Noticing the Coat

1
Check the dog's coat color. Chow Chows have five coat colors: red, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream, all of which are equally accepted by the AKC.^{[13]
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Research source} Red and cream coats can range from light to dark.
2
Look at the length of the coat. There are two types of coats seen in Chows: rough and smooth. Rough Chow Chows are frequently seen in dog shows, and they have long fur that makes a ruff around their heads. They also have feathered tails.^{[14]
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Research source} Smooth Chows have less of a ruff and feathering.^{[15]
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3
Assess how the coat feels. Chow Chows have double-coats. Their outer coats are dense, straight, and coarse, while their undercoats are soft, thick, and wooly.^{[16]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Identifying Temperament

1
Recognize a cat-like personality. Chow Chows have interesting personalities in that they somewhat act like cats. They are aloof and typically only make close bonds with their owner rather than others.^{[17]
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2
Notice independence. Chows do things on their own. They can make good watchdogs or guard dogs because their independent personalities lead to them making their own decisions.^{[18]
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3
Check for aggression. Around others, Chows can show signs of aggression. They don't easily allow others into their home and may bite or growl.^{[19]
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Research source} They shouldn't be around cats or small animals due to their hunting instincts and may be aggressive around other dogs.^{[20]
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4
See if the dog is calm. Chows have a calm and quiet disposition. They are not very destructive and usually don't act entirely aggressive unless provoked.^{[21]
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5
Look for loyalty. Chows may have some negative traits, but if it's just them and their owner, they can become very loyal. Despite being independent and stubborn, they have the potential to show loyalty to one person close to them.^{[22]
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Community Q&A

Question

Why do Chow Chows have blue tongues?

Linnie

Top Answerer

Chow Chows' tongues develop to be a bluish black or purple color, which is a result of pigmentation in cells. It's uncertain when and how this pigmentation first came to be, however.
Question

How can I convince my parents to get me a Chow Chow?

Linnie

Top Answerer

Inform your parents about the Chow Chow breed temperament. Be honest with them and tell them that Chow Chows can be aggressive, but acknowledge that this and their aloofness toward strangers enables them to be excellent guard or watchdogs. You can also tell them that Chow Chows are fairly calm and vastly loyal. Additionally, inform them about a Chow Chow's appearance and health, if this is a factor for your family in considering adoption. Check out How to Convince Your Parents to Let You Have a Pet for more tips.

Warnings

Be aware that Chow Chows may be banned in certain areas because of their potential aggression and territorial behaviors.^{[23]
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Research source} Make sure to check the dog breed bans in your area.

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