Chow information?
- Thread starter Bodi's Mom
- Start date
S
I've met a few. I had one that was part husky as well.
I really like the breed myself. Yes, they are protective and standoffish towards strangers. They dont have much of an eagerness to please as some other breeds do. DA, yes but not always. Pretty low energy from my experiences.
My next door neighbor has a gorgeous one with a jet black coat. He/she lives in their back yard, which is kind of sad. I was cautious with him at first and he was actually pretty nice and sniffed my finger through the fence. Sweet dog.
I really like the breed myself. Yes, they are protective and standoffish towards strangers. They dont have much of an eagerness to please as some other breeds do. DA, yes but not always. Pretty low energy from my experiences.
My next door neighbor has a gorgeous one with a jet black coat. He/she lives in their back yard, which is kind of sad. I was cautious with him at first and he was actually pretty nice and sniffed my finger through the fence. Sweet dog.
Chows...are independant and they choose their people. To be loved by a Chow is something special because it is ALWAYS, on their terms. Use all the kind words and food you want but until THEY decide you are worth their love and respect you will have...neither.
Peripheral vision can be poor owing to deepset eye, folds of skin around said...and hair added onto that. ALWAYS...approach Chows, from the front and be sure they see you. They are poor choices for homes with children many times because of this.
Bear in mind that tho they are noble beasts very sweet and kind...they also posses a fighting heritage and one which entailed their use as FOOD. Neither encouraged a close bonding mechanism with people so to be plain...they don't have a strongly developed interest in people right "out of the box".
If you put in the work and treat them fairly and kindly they would happily die to protect you and yours. If you are not careful about boundaries and somehow fall into this "oh lookit the teddy bear" trap...they will OWN you....and not in a good way, either!
Peripheral vision can be poor owing to deepset eye, folds of skin around said...and hair added onto that. ALWAYS...approach Chows, from the front and be sure they see you. They are poor choices for homes with children many times because of this.
Bear in mind that tho they are noble beasts very sweet and kind...they also posses a fighting heritage and one which entailed their use as FOOD. Neither encouraged a close bonding mechanism with people so to be plain...they don't have a strongly developed interest in people right "out of the box".
If you put in the work and treat them fairly and kindly they would happily die to protect you and yours. If you are not careful about boundaries and somehow fall into this "oh lookit the teddy bear" trap...they will OWN you....and not in a good way, either!
I have two, both males. Legend is almost 13 and Aesop is 8 months. I've not had dog aggression issues with either..both are well socialized and can and do go most anywhere with me without worry. While both are protective of the home (Legend more than Aesop, since Aesop is still a pup) neither are overly so. For instance, they'll bark at the door, but once I answer the door, they're fine with whomever I invite in.
They're independant if compared to a retriever or the like, I suppose, but both of my boys are very much 'people dogs'. They're usually within 5 feet or so of wherever I am. And they like to know where we are..if we're in the same room, Aesop will either lay nearby or in the room with us. If we're in different rooms, he periodically checks each of us to make sure all is well.
I've also had no problems training them to do anything. Neither 'tests rules' or is pushy, or any of the other things people were so quick to warn me of years ago when I brought Legend home. Neither has known a harsh training method, and I think that shows in their behavior also.
Both of mine are from breeders who focus on temperament and are splendid family dogs. (not the same breeder) I think it's a breed that can really be affected negatively by BYBs. I've never once worried when taking either out that there'd be a problem..and they've been around some goofy people.
While not a breed for everyone (I don't think any breed can really fit into every family, though) they're a breed I won't be without.
They're independant if compared to a retriever or the like, I suppose, but both of my boys are very much 'people dogs'. They're usually within 5 feet or so of wherever I am. And they like to know where we are..if we're in the same room, Aesop will either lay nearby or in the room with us. If we're in different rooms, he periodically checks each of us to make sure all is well.
I've also had no problems training them to do anything. Neither 'tests rules' or is pushy, or any of the other things people were so quick to warn me of years ago when I brought Legend home. Neither has known a harsh training method, and I think that shows in their behavior also.
Both of mine are from breeders who focus on temperament and are splendid family dogs. (not the same breeder) I think it's a breed that can really be affected negatively by BYBs. I've never once worried when taking either out that there'd be a problem..and they've been around some goofy people.
While not a breed for everyone (I don't think any breed can really fit into every family, though) they're a breed I won't be without.
The outstanding characteristics I can remember from the chows I have known are these:
Poor eyesight: they would snarf and bark furiously at people, their own masters even, until the person spoke out loud to them. At that point they would act totally humiliated, and be all lovey and kissy.
Protective of home and family: They were all really protective of their yards and people. Heaven help someone who tried to hurt the children in their family.
Strongly bonded to the other dogs in their families. Not particularly aggressive with strange dogs. More indifferent than anything. Not really "players" in the sense that they would enjoy a dog park or anything like that.
Extremely strong bond with humans in their families. I suspect the dogs that I knew, would be psychologically destroyed if they ever had to be rehomed. That is not something I would normally say about any dog, but it's the impression I got from them. They craved being with their families, and really, really depended on the structure and affection from their people to thrive.
Then again, all the chows I have known were BYB, so I don't know how true these traits are to the breed, or whether they are correct. Just things I have observed.
Poor eyesight: they would snarf and bark furiously at people, their own masters even, until the person spoke out loud to them. At that point they would act totally humiliated, and be all lovey and kissy.
Protective of home and family: They were all really protective of their yards and people. Heaven help someone who tried to hurt the children in their family.
Strongly bonded to the other dogs in their families. Not particularly aggressive with strange dogs. More indifferent than anything. Not really "players" in the sense that they would enjoy a dog park or anything like that.
Extremely strong bond with humans in their families. I suspect the dogs that I knew, would be psychologically destroyed if they ever had to be rehomed. That is not something I would normally say about any dog, but it's the impression I got from them. They craved being with their families, and really, really depended on the structure and affection from their people to thrive.
Then again, all the chows I have known were BYB, so I don't know how true these traits are to the breed, or whether they are correct. Just things I have observed.