Chow Chow
Chow Chow
- Sizemedium
- Weight20.4–31.8 kg
- Lives8–12 years
- Popularity in Mexico★★★
Character
Chow Chow temperament
A medium dog from the non-sporting group, in twelve traits from 1 to 5:
- Energymiddle of the road
- Affection with familyglued to you
- With kidsmiddle of the road
- With other dogslone wolf
- With strangerswary
- Playfulnessmiddle of the road
- Guarding instinctborn guardian
- Adaptabilitymiddle of the road
- Trainabilitymiddle of the road
- Barkingnearly silent
- Mental stimulation it needsmiddle of the road
- Prey drivemiddle of the road
Distinguishing features
Chow Chow characteristics
- Ears
- erect
- Height
- 43–51 cm
- Weight
- 20.4–31.8 kg
- Muzzle
- medium
- Coat
- double coat
- Coat length
- medium, short
- Colors
- red, black, blue, cinnamon, cream
- Life expectancy
- 8–12 years
- Sheddingmiddle of the road
- Coat caremiddle of the road
Life expectancy
How long does a Chow Chow live?
8–12 years
The breed sets the range; how long each dog lives depends on its weight, its exercise, its teeth and its check-ups with the vet.
The long profile
Long profile, in Spanish for now
The long version of this breed — character, care and origins, in Lord Chucho's voice — exists in Spanish and hasn't been translated yet. The hard data on this page (traits, features, lifespan) is the same in both languages.
Buying guides
What to buy for a Chow Chow
What to buy, by what it needs:
What we'd give Choco
For a dog like this one
Affiliate links: it costs you the same. How they work (in Spanish)
AI image: the real product may vary FURminator for double coats
On double-coated breeds it pulls out loose hair by the kilo. Your couch will thank you more than the dog will.
AI image: the real product may vary Flat 2-meter leash
Two meters: enough to sniff with dignity, enough to keep it close when it matters. Neither retractable nor 50 cm.
AI image: the real product may vary Large orthopedic bed
For large gentlemen: a big dog's joints appreciate real foam, not a soggy mat.
AI image: the real product may vary Soft training treats
Tiny, soft and heavenly-smelling: in training you pay fast and often, not with a five-minute biscuit.
What people ask
Frequently asked questions about the Chow Chow
How big does a Chow Chow get?
An adult Chow Chow stands 43–51 cm at the withers and weighs 20.4–31.8 kg.
Does the Chow Chow need a lot of exercise?
The Chow Chow scores 3 out of 5 on “Energy”: right in the middle of the scale. On that scale, 1 is “couch potato” and 5 is “marathoner”.
Is the Chow Chow good with kids?
The Chow Chow scores 3 out of 5 on “With kids”: right in the middle of the scale. On that scale, 1 is “better without kids” and 5 is “excellent”. Even with a 5, no dog should be left alone with small children: supervising them is the adult's job.
Does the Chow Chow get along with other dogs?
The Chow Chow scores 2 out of 5 on “With other dogs”: lone wolf. On that scale, 1 is “lone wolf” and 5 is “life of the dog park”.
Is the Chow Chow easy to train?
The Chow Chow scores 3 out of 5 on “Trainability”: right in the middle of the scale. On that scale, 1 is “negotiates every command” and 5 is “learns on the fly”.
Does the Chow Chow bark a lot?
The Chow Chow scores 1 out of 5 on “Barking”: nearly silent. On that scale, 1 is “nearly silent” and 5 is “reports everything”.
Is the Chow Chow a good guard dog?
The Chow Chow scores 5 out of 5 on “Guarding instinct”: born guardian. On that scale, 1 is “not a guardian” and 5 is “born guardian”.
Does the Chow Chow shed a lot?
The Chow Chow scores 3 out of 5 on “Shedding”: right in the middle of the scale. On that scale, 1 is “barely sheds” and 5 is “hair everywhere”.
Can a Chow Chow live in an apartment?
The Chow Chow scores 3 out of 5 on “Adaptability”: right in the middle of the scale. On that scale, 1 is “needs its space and routine” and 5 is “settles anywhere”. An apartment is fine, being shut in is not: every dog needs to get out every day.
Health
We only publish each breed's health topics after reviewing them carefully. We guide you, but we're not your vet: if something about your dog worries you, the internet doesn't replace a visit to the vet.