Quick answer
The Chow Chow is one of the oldest dog breeds, dating back to ancient China. It's known for its lion-like mane, deep-set eyes and blue-black tongue. It needs only moderate exercise (up to an hour a day), but it does need plenty of early socialisation.
Plan for brushing that dense double coat several times a week, a diet matched to a moderately active medium-sized dog, and calm, patient training. Get those right and you'll have a loyal, independent companion.
Why Owners Love the Chow Chow
A short history and what makes the breed stand out
The Chow Chow has been around for thousands of years. In China it worked as a hunter, guard dog and all-round farm dog long before it became a companion. You can still see that history in its unusual features: a blue-black tongue that almost no other breed has, a thick ruff around the neck and a stiff, stilted walk.
Once a Chow Chow joins the family, a few things stand out:
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Calm and independent
A Chow Chow is self-contained and rarely needs the constant attention some breeds want.
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Loyal to their family
They bond closely with their own household and stay reserved with everyone else.
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Easy to recognise
The mane and blue-black tongue make it one of the most recognisable breeds you'll see.
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Quiet indoors
Once they've had their exercise, most Chow Chows are settled and relaxed at home.
Bottom line: with good early socialisation, regular grooming and patient handling, a Chow Chow becomes a calm, loyal dog with a strong character of its own.
Chow Chow at a Glance
A quick reference before you bring a Chow Chow home:
| Trait | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium, usually 20–32kg |
| Exercise | Moderate: up to 1 hour a day |
| Home size | Any size; calm households suit them best |
| Garden | Helpful, with secure fencing as they can be territorial |
| Coat | Rough or smooth double coat; sheds heavily |
| Grooming | High: brushing several times a week, more when the coat "blows" each season |
| Lifespan | 8–12 years |
| Town or country | Either, as long as grooming and socialisation needs are met |
What to Plan for Before Getting a Chow Chow
The realities of owning the breed
The same independence and reserve that make the Chow Chow so distinctive also mean new owners need a thoughtful approach.
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Early socialisation is essential
Chow Chows are naturally reserved. Without plenty of positive contact with people and other animals while young, they can become wary or overprotective.
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Grooming takes real time
The dense double coat mats easily. Expect to brush several times a week, and more often during seasonal shedding.
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Affectionate, but not clingy
They love their family but don't often show it openly, so people who don't know them may find them aloof.
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They struggle in the heat
The thick coat makes overheating a real risk. Walk them in the cooler parts of the day and always have water to hand.
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Health screening matters
Ask your breeder and vet about hip and elbow dysplasia, entropion (eyelids that roll inward) and thyroid problems before you commit.
Common misconception: people often read a Chow Chow's reserve as unfriendliness. It isn't. It's independence, and it needs good early socialisation. A poorly socialised Chow Chow can be wary and hard to live with, while a well-raised one is calm and quietly devoted.
Puppy or Adult: Which Is Right for a New Owner?
Either can work well. A puppy needs lots of early socialisation and gentle introductions to grooming so it grows up confident around new people and situations. An adult lets you see its temperament and coat condition from day one. Either way, consistent routines from the start make the biggest difference with this independent breed.
Is a Chow Chow Right for Your Home?
Not every household is the right fit, and that's fine. Use this as a rough guide, since every home is different:
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Not ideal
Busy homes with very young children
Chow Chows don't tolerate rough handling well, so a calmer household suits them far better than one with toddlers.
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Can work well
Calm, quieter households
Usually a good match, especially once children are old enough to give a dog space.
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Best fit
Experienced owners
Owners who can commit to early socialisation, steady training and regular coat care get the best from this breed.
Bringing Your Chow Chow Home
The first few months set the tone for the years ahead. Start with these four steps:
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Start socialising early
Introduce your Chow Chow to lots of different people, animals and places while young, and keep each experience positive. This shapes adult temperament more than almost anything else.
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Book a vet check
Cover vaccinations, flea and worm treatment and a general health check, and ask your vet about eye and hip screening.
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Get them used to grooming
Brush and handle your Chow Chow from the first day. It makes a lifetime of grooming much easier for both of you.
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Train calmly and consistently
Patient, reward-based training works far better than a firm hand with this breed. Build in short, calm spells of time alone too. Tasty rewards such as our Beef Burger Bites help keep an independent dog interested. Count treats into the daily food allowance.
When to think twice: if your home is loud and busy, you have very young children, or regular grooming and early socialisation aren't realistic for you right now, a Chow Chow's needs will be hard to meet. It's worth weighing this up before you commit.
Feeding Your Chow Chow
Chow Chows do best on a fresh, high-quality diet matched to their moderate activity level. They need less exercise than many dogs of a similar size, so base portions on weight and activity rather than appetite. Chow Chows put on weight easily, and their thick coat can hide early weight gain. Most adults do well on two meals a day.
For dogs with sensitive tummies, our hypoallergenic Fresh Menu recipes are a good place to start. For that dense double coat, our Coat Care Dental Chews are an easy addition to regular brushing, and our Vital Chewing Sticks with Glucosamine and Green-Lipped Mussel help support hips and elbows as your Chow Chow gets older.
How Much Should You Feed an Adult Chow Chow?
As a starting point, daily food is worked out as a percentage of body weight:
- Puppies up to 8 months: around 4% of body weight
- Adults up to 15kg: around 2–3% of body weight
- Adults over 15kg (most adult Chow Chows): around 2–2.5% of body weight
For example, a 26kg Chow Chow fed at 2% needs about 520g of food a day (26kg × 2% = 520g). Here's how that works across the typical weight range:
| Adult weight | Daily food at 2% | Daily food at 2.5% |
|---|---|---|
| 20kg | 400g | 500g |
| 26kg (average) | 520g | 650g |
| 29kg | 580g | 725g |
| 32kg | 640g | 800g |
Please note: these are guidelines for healthy, non-neutered dogs. Needs can vary by up to 50% depending on age, activity and metabolism. Use your dog's body condition as the real guide and adjust portions up or down to keep a healthy weight. Because the coat can hide changes, check by feeling along the ribs and waist regularly.
What Toys Are Best for a Chow Chow?
Choose toys that suit their calm, independent nature: sturdy chews for a strong jaw, such as our 25cm Bully Pizzle Sticks or Beef Head Skin, snuffle mats and puzzle feeders for quiet mental exercise, and the occasional gentle tug toy.
Good to know: Chow Chows aren't natural retrievers and often lose interest in fetch quickly. Games they can work out at their own pace usually suit them better than fast chasing games. Always supervise chewing and take away any piece small enough to swallow whole.
Chow Chow FAQs
Are Chow Chows aggressive?
Chow Chows aren't naturally aggressive, but they are reserved and protective. A well-socialised Chow Chow is usually calm and aloof with strangers. One that missed out on early socialisation is more likely to be wary or defensive, which is why socialising puppies early matters so much.
Are Chow Chows good family dogs?
Chow Chows can be loyal, devoted family dogs in calm homes, especially with older children. They are reserved with strangers and usually suit an experienced owner better than a first-time one.
Are Chow Chows good with children?
Chow Chows can live well with older, calm children who understand that a dog needs space. They don't usually tolerate rough handling, so they are not the best choice for homes with toddlers.
How much exercise does a Chow Chow need?
A Chow Chow needs moderate exercise: up to an hour a day is usually enough. Because of their thick coat, walk them in the cooler parts of the day and avoid exercise in hot weather.
Do Chow Chows shed a lot?
Yes. Chow Chows shed heavily all year, with even heavier seasonal sheds when the coat "blows". Their dense double coat needs brushing several times a week, and often daily during these sheds.
Are Chow Chows hypoallergenic?
No. Chow Chows shed heavily and are not hypoallergenic, so they are not a good choice for people with dog allergies.
Are Chow Chows easy to train?
Chow Chows are intelligent but independent, so training takes patience. Short, calm, reward-based sessions started early work far better than repetition or a firm hand.
Can a Chow Chow live in a flat?
Yes, a Chow Chow can live happily in a flat. Their moderate exercise needs suit flat life better than many breeds, but you'll still need to plan for regular grooming and keeping them cool in warm weather.
How long do Chow Chows live?
Most Chow Chows live 8 to 12 years with good care, which is typical for a medium-sized breed.
What health problems do Chow Chows have?
Common health problems in Chow Chows include hip and elbow dysplasia, entropion (where the eyelid rolls inward) and thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism. Their thick coat also makes them prone to overheating. Regular vet checks and choosing a breeder who health-screens are important.
Why do Chow Chows have blue tongues?
A Chow Chow's blue-black tongue comes from extra pigment in the tissue. Puppies are born with pink tongues that darken as they grow. It is one of the breed's best-known features and is shared by very few other breeds, such as the Shar Pei.
Final Thoughts
Give a Chow Chow early socialisation, regular grooming and patient handling, and you'll have one of the most loyal companions you could ask for.
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