Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is a spitz-type of dog breed originally from northern China Website

Approval Rate: 49%

49%Approval ratio

Reviews 56

Sort by:
  • by

    bennett

    Sat Mar 01 2003

    Dog most likely to kill your neighbors kid

  • by

    Magnetic-D

    Wed Sep 06 2023

    They should all be destroyed. Fur makes good kindling. Defenders of this breed try to lump them in with shepherds and dobies, but that's not really fair. The classification "guard breed" pretty much covers any large dog that can cause serious damage, but the aggression and unpredictability of the Chow Chow should put them in a different category. I call it the "shoot on sight breed".

  • by

    jester002

    Thu Mar 04 2010

    A dog that thinks it's a cat and seems to act like one. Thought they are loveable family dogs they are very wary of strangers. They can be stubborn, independent and a challenge for obedience training. Believe it or not, some insurance companies list this dog as one of the breeds to exclude in home owners policies. Mostly because of their stand offish nature towards strangers and their changing temperment as they age.

  • by

    irishgit

    Wed Mar 03 2010

    Based on the only two I've ever met, these seem like mean sons of bitches. I just wanted to use that phrase in its literal sense for once.

  • by

    sk4u2009

    Wed Mar 03 2010

    OMG Chow's are THE best dogs I swear. We have had three of them since we have been together. Ironically all of them were named Bear lol. But the kids would climb all over the dog, ride him, and he would just let them. Plus, how cool are their tongues!!! All dogs can be mean, it depends on the owner...... but despite the hype, chow's are a very family orientated and protective dog.

  • by

    gris2575

    Tue Mar 02 2010

    I love this Breed. They are very Devoted to their family, but also independent. They seriously have a mind of their own, they can be stubborn, lazy and cat-like. The one I used to have knew he was Smarter than me and would often think carefully about any commands before obeying or ignoring it. Growing up, I also had a Shepherd/Chow mix that was awesome, friendly and smart as Hell. He may have also wrestled bears and saved Humanity, but he died when I was about ten so my Memory of him is a bit Shaky. I can't imagine getting another breed of dog. Although, officially I like All breeds, I like the Chow a bit more than the others.

  • by

    krodriguez

    Sun Jan 31 2010

    I have been around chows my entire life. THE EASIEST BREED TO POTTY TRAIN in the opinion! Most chows may have 1 or 2 accidents because they are fully trained. They are very loving to their owners. They are very protective of their owners. Strangers beware. Perfect gaurd dog! When I was 4 months pregnant I bought my first chow for myself (the others were when I lived at home with the parents). He was very loving the entire time and when I had my baby we had no problems with him. Infact, we had to start putting the chow in the other room when anyone he didn't know came to vistit the baby because he wouldn't allow them to even touch the baby. We took caution with him and the baby at first just to make sure. When our son was a few months old and started crawling, he would crawl all over our chow(Kallyn) and Kallyn would just lay there. One of my mother's chows died of old age and her other one was sad and lonely so we gave Kallyn to my mother. We bought a Pomeranian and after 5 months sold... Read more

  • by

    ayn9b559

    Sun Jan 31 2010

    Socialize and train them early (humane only). They can be lazy and stubborn but are very loyal and protective breeds. Raise them right and provide what they need and they will be your best friend. This breed needs an owner who is in charge. Show them you are in charge by controlling the resources. If you show them you are in charge by using force, you are asking for trouble. Do NOT use the Alpha roll, hard stare, growl, or any other bullshit method of training These are independant dogs, and can be aloof even with their owners. This breed, like many Asian breeds, will die for you. But probably will not obey you. They are a great dog for the right people. They are very intelligent and dignified dogs. Please treat them as such.

  • by

    thebadelement

    Mon Dec 21 2009

    Chows can be friendly but I do not trust them. My friend has a chow. It is about 1.5 years old. Her daughter got it when it was 8 weeks old. They raised the puppy with love and affection. But they did not get it any professional training. A few months back I went to visit her and for the first time in my life, I was scared of a dog. I have owned dogs all my life and have come across various types of dogs. But I have never been afraid of them. But this dog sat and growled at me the entire time I was in the home. I know if you show fear the dogs can sense it, so I just sat there, I did nothing to challenge him. The son of my friend ended up putting the dog in back room so I could leave. About a month ago, my friend had given the dogs some scraps from the table and after the dog was finished she reached down wipe it's mouth and it bit her. Really tore her hand up. She had to rused to the ER for shots and stitches. I told the daughter that she needed to find another home fo... Read more

  • by

    sharon_206

    Fri Oct 30 2009

    very pretty , but can have an aggressive side

  • by

    kphillpotts

    Wed Oct 28 2009

    I would give this a zero if possible. This isn't even a chow in the picture! We have had our chow chow with our four kids for six years. She is gentle and loving. We didn't "work hard to socialize her" we took her to dog parks and played with her. We took her to a regular puppy school. Nothing spectacular or heroic there. People stop us on the street because they have never seen a dog like her and then after learning she's a chow, time after time, "No she can't be my neighboor/brother/friend had one and they are terrible." People just have no real experience with these dogs. My husband grew up with chows with never a single bad experience. I think this whole thing is the result of horrible back yard breeders, poor ownership and mix breed mutt confusion!

  • by

    blueberry16

    Thu Jul 02 2009

    I love them. But they can be aggressive sometimes. But their wrinkled race is so cute!

  • by

    kat15lee

    Mon May 11 2009

    I had a chow chow once. He was okay. He was temperamental, and moody. He barked a lot. I don't know if I'd own another one.

  • by

    astromike

    Mon Apr 20 2009

    Probably one of the most aggressive and un predictable dogs out there.

  • by

    happy6

    Fri Mar 06 2009

    I just can't say enough about what great dogs chows are!. My husband and I have had many mixed breeds of dogs over the years and some pure breed too. When we got our first chow, Jenney it was a real wake up call. You could leave the kitchen garbage out all day and she wouldn't touch a thing! That form of respect for our things was the first I had ever seen in any dog. She only chewed on her old carpet piece, nothing else. Jenney was almost six months old when we decided to get another chow. Somebody to keep her company. So we picked up Neko who was also a pup. They got along famously. Jenney was a smooth chow and Neko was a rough chow. Both of them were as smart as a whip! Neko was the runner in the family. She would go racing around our meadow and Jenney would save her energy and charge her at the top of the meadow when she came taring up. Jenney also had quite a sense of humor. When her little sister was small, she would go over to the glass doors in the front, bark and pretend th... Read more

  • by

    bhardy

    Sun Oct 26 2008

    Babies

  • by

    dawneubanks200_5

    Fri Oct 03 2008

    I am not a fan of these dogs. They need lots of attention and if they do not get it they can and will turn mean. When pregnant we had a pup and he was very sweet but as I got closer to my due date and could not play as much e began to knock me down when feeding and growling at me. I was told when finding him a new home that they will turn mean if they feel threatened or abandoned by someone. I cant say it is the breed it may be just the dog I owned because one dog cant define a breed. Just research and know a dog before you get it so you can have a life long relationship and not another animal in the pound :)

  • by

    akjt07

    Wed Sep 17 2008

    Any dog can be over protective and dangerous if not trained right. I had a chow for almost 15 years. I was 6 when she came into the family. The only problem growing up is that my sister would constantly pester her while she was sleeping. She was a puppy, maybe a year old, and bit my sister on her lip. Afterward, my dog knew what she did wrong. All children love to pull on animals but it takes correction and persistence both on the human and animal. My chow was protective of the house and yard and would bark at people whom she did not know or trust. She never had any loyalty problems or food aggression. It takes people to know how to act correctly. Never run from a dog or purposefully annoy them. Staring them in the eye is a threat.

  • by

    jamie_finn

    Wed Sep 10 2008

    too hairy for me

  • by

    margaret414

    Tue Sep 09 2008

    love them my daughter has a pup and it is grate with the kids thay say thay are mean and lazy this is not true it all denpend on how it is raze this  one  is loveable and very play foul

  • by

    ms_114948272

    Fri Aug 08 2008

    I had one that looked like a bear cub, hence the name Cubby

  • by

    randy3528

    Thu Aug 07 2008

    HATE THOSE MEAN AS DOGS!!!

  • by

    whatever_it_takes

    Thu Aug 07 2008

    I have two and they are very strange

  • by

    crystal911

    Thu Jul 10 2008

    depends on the chow. some are good, some are bad.

  • by

    k_a_y_l_a

    Sun Jul 06 2008

    aww so fluffy!!

  • by

    oo_michelle_oo

    Thu Jun 19 2008

    Temperamental.

  • by

    vibesman

    Thu Jun 19 2008

    Nasty, mean dogs.

  • by

    myspace_47799913

    Sun Jun 01 2008

    They are so puffy! I love Chows!

  • by

    full_of_wonder_and_questions

    Tue May 20 2008

    AWWWWWW!!! its adorable!!!

  • by

    myspace_30849171

    Wed May 07 2008

    pretty but unpredictable. kind of agressive toward other dogs

  • by

    myspace_349012854

    Tue Apr 08 2008

    not the most adorable pet. But looks gentle

  • by

    sperryc

    Tue Apr 08 2008

    don't be fooled by their fuzzy appearance. these dogs are mean and they will bite you. when they bite you, it will hurt. the only dog i've ever known to dislike me was a chow chow with a purple tongue.

  • by

    automatt

    Mon Apr 07 2008

    Not a big fan of the Chows.

  • by

    trebon1038

    Mon Apr 07 2008

    HATE THEM! This is the only breed of dog that you can't read his body language...he can be all lovey one minute and ripping your face off the next. Im pretty good with not so easy to handle dogs...but if I can't read them than Im in trouble. These dogs also have a lot of coat and are infamous for skin trouble.

  • by

    magellan

    Mon Apr 07 2008

    Awesome, rugged, protective dogs.

  • by

    monitortop

    Tue Mar 11 2008

    I have had Chows in my family for generations, dating back to the 1920s.  While I do not agree with physical changes made to the breed for showing purposes, the fundamental animal is a deeply devoted and intelligent pet.  They are not, however, for people who think that Goldens and Labs are the ideal dogs.  They are headstrong, require intensive socialization and understanding, but given that, are a joy.  When my brother and I were toddlers, my mother would stick our chow into the playpen with us, and that dear dog put up with a lot.  Lord help, however, anyone who made a threatening move toward my mother.  This is an ancient breed, and many of their personality characteristics are more wolf-like than some pet owners would be comfortable with.  My present pair are both rescue dogs, and are the light of my life,.

  • by

    doglovr

    Sat Nov 17 2007

    chow chows can be protective and if not trained right can be dangerous

  • by

    randyman

    Sat Nov 17 2007

    I have heard from so many people that a Chow Chow can be a disloyal dog and that they have a rep for turning on their masters. Pound for pound they don't compare to a Pit Bull, in terms of potential danger, but their alleged unstableness makes them riskier. I wouldn't leave my grandkids alone with one.

  • by

    jrbcbaa2

    Mon Sep 10 2007

    I am a chow chow owner and he has never been mean or over protective.l He welcomes everyone in my home and is very lovable. Everyone is always suprised by how well behaved he is. So, NOT ALL Chow Chow are should take the bad rep.

  • by

    mislabeleddog

    Fri Jan 19 2007

    STUPID PEOPLE MAKE MEAN DOGS, THE BREED IS NOT THE CAUSE, YES THE BREED IS PROTECTIVE, AS ARE PIT BULLS, IF CORRECTLY TREATED, AND TRAINED THEY ARE WONDERFUL PETS!!! SHOULD WE JUST DECIDE THAT ALL STUPID PEOPLE THAT ARE MEAN, SENSELESS, AND SPEAK BEFORE THINKING; THAT THEY SHOULD BE SHOT, EUTHINIZED, OR BETTER YET TAKEN TO LABS TO BE TESTED ON, THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE BEST FOR MAN KIND TOO!!! BAN THE DEED NOT THE BREED...

  • by

    genghisthehun

    Tue May 09 2006

    They must be tasty as the orientals eat them. (Ever hear of Chow Mein? Har! Har! Har!)

  • by

    purple1184

    Mon May 08 2006

    These dogs are great. Very misunderstood(especially from reading these comments, lol). I have had Chows for over ten years and the dogs are great and one of the most beautiful dogs, don't care for short haired dogs, don't like touching ribs when I pet them. Don't like little yappy dogs either. Ran into more dogs of different breeds that are more vicious than my chows, rots, pits, labs, and little yappy dogs.

  • by

    kattwoman

    Sun Apr 30 2006

    their looks are decieving. they look so cuddly but not always so. this is the only dog i have ever been bitten by. it was my sister in laws dog and the furnace repairman was there and i tried to put the dog in her room to let him in and he bit me. i am more cautious now dealing with other people's dogs.

  • by

    historyfan

    Tue Feb 07 2006

    I almost got chased by one once when I was 12. At the time, I had no idea what it was other than it was a funny looking dog.

  • by

    operator_409

    Wed Aug 17 2005

    Anti-social baby manglers. Was a meter reader for many years...did a lot of walking without the benefit of a vehicle to jump into in the event of a dog attack. I became very adept at reading the body language of dogs. Often had to go inside fences where I would be one on one w/various canines. Many breeds show their bravado with snarls and intimidating barks, until you step inside the fence and then they back away, still barking but keeping their distance. Others, you knew not to enter until the master of the house stepped out to hold the dog or take it inside. On 3 different occassions, in three different locations, I went inside a fenced area w/a chow. Each time, the chow kept his distance, not barking, not even really watching me very closely. In ALL 3 instances, the craven, cowardly breed took a run at me when my back was turned on it and I was exiting the yard. Such cowardice is rare in the canine world, making the chow a hard breed to get a read on. Had I been a toddler, perhaps... Read more

  • by

    asteph

    Fri May 06 2005

    Ugly, mean, biter,barkers, to much hair. I dont care for the breed much.

  • by

    mmcgarry

    Sun Feb 27 2005

    When I was young, our neighbor had 2 chows he kept fenced in his yard. Everytime those dogs would escape the yard, they would come to ours and kill our chickens and ducks. When my father went into the yard to chase them away, they turned on him and bit my mother who was nearby. Needless to say, I was not sad when one was hit by a car and the other, shot by a neighboring farmer who had also grown tired of the dogs terrorizing the livestock. I have never seen one that was friendly.

  • by

    mariusqeldroma

    Fri Dec 31 2004

    Don't let the cute factor fool you. This is a larger dog, and some have some really bad 'tude.

  • by

    jirai1d4

    Thu Dec 30 2004

    Some dogs are cute. Others are so ugly that they're cute. This one is just ugly...and mean.

  • by

    ansgard

    Mon Jun 07 2004

    little rats, that's what they are... pathetic dogs