Chow Chow
鬆獅狗
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Chow Chow has been known in China for upwards of two thousand years as a guard and hunting dog, related to the Nordic spitz breeds with something of the mastiff about it; two were brought to Britain in 1780 and the breed became fashionable in the show ring after Queen Victoria acquired one. It is active, compact and short-coupled with a leonine, proud and dignified bearing, a bluish-black tongue, and either a rough coat with a soft woolly undercoat or a short, dense, plush smooth coat; males stand 48–56 cm and females 46–51 cm. The FCI standard describes a quiet dog and a good guard — independent, loyal, yet aloof — and warns explicitly that it must not carry so much coat as to impede activity or cause distress in hot weather.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 43–56cm |
| Weight | 20–32kg |
| Life expectancy | 8–12years |
| Breed group | AKC: non-sporting FCI: 5 |
| Role | Companion |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 1/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 2/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 1/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 5/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip and elbow dysplasia and inherited eye conditions
The Royal Kennel Club lists three schemes as the minimum pre-breeding screening for the Chow Chow, saying evidence indicates these conditions are a significant concern in the breed: hip testing under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme, elbow testing under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme and eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme. Ask your breeder for the parents' hip and elbow scores and eye certificates.
Conformational concerns
The Royal Kennel Club also flags the Chow Chow as a breed that can be affected by conformational concerns, and places it in Breedwatch category 2. Ask your vet about the breed's eyes, skin folds and breathing at routine visits.
Entropion and other eye problems
The AKC lists eyelid entropion among the health issues that may affect the Chow Chow, alongside hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, allergies and thyroid function, and says these can be minimised by health screening, responsible breeding and regular veterinary care. Ask your vet if you notice your dog squinting, rubbing its eyes or producing excess tears.
Skin allergies
The AKC flags allergies in the breed and advises regularly checking the Chow's skin for irritation or other signs of allergy, noting that dog-food formulas change often and that treats can also be involved. Ask your vet if you see persistent scratching, redness or hair loss.
Thyroid function
The AKC lists thyroid function among the health issues that may affect the Chow Chow. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Behaviour
Quiet, independent, loyal yet aloof
The FCI standard's Behaviour and Temperament section reads in full: "Quiet dog, good guard. Independent, loyal, yet aloof." Its stated utilization is guard dog and companion.
Coat must not impede activity in hot weather
The general appearance section of the FCI standard requires that the Chow Chow "should always be able to move freely and must not have so much coat as to impede activity or cause distress in hot weather" — a point worth keeping in mind in a Hong Kong summer.
AKC breed-trait chart
AKC trait scores: energy level 3/5, trainability 3/5, barking level 1/5, good with young children 3/5, good with other dogs 2/5, openness to strangers 2/5, watchdog/protective nature 5/5, shedding 3/5, grooming frequency 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Hong Kong summers need care
Both the rough and the smooth Chow carry a profuse double coat, and the FCI standard itself says the dog must not have so much coat as to impede activity or cause distress in hot weather. Heat-related illness in dogs is most often triggered by exercise rather than by being left in a hot place, so in a Hong Kong summer keep walks short, early and late, and watch for heavy panting. The AKC advises thorough brushing at least twice a week and a monthly bath.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
FCI nomenclature — Chow Chow (standard no. 205, group 5)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Chow Chow
Breed A–Z entry with breed characteristics and the pre-breeding health screening schemes the Royal Kennel Club recommends for the breed.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
American Kennel Club — Chow Chow
Breed overview with the AKC breed-trait chart, height, weight and life-expectancy figures, and health, nutrition and grooming notes compiled with the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Chow Chow — FCI standard no. 205 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]FCI-Standard No. 205 — Chow Chow, 13.10.2010 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Chow Chow — Breed Information (health and breed characteristics) — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Chow Chow — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
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Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.