Chow Chow
Chow Chow, or Chow, is a breed of dog that was first developed in Mongolia about 4,000 years ago and was later introduced into China,where it is referred to as Songshi Quan, which literally means "puffy-lion dog." Westerners believed that Chow Chow was the original model for the Chinese guardian lion. In ancient China, where the real lion was unknown, Buddhist monks from India brought descriptions of the traditional stone lions that guarded their native temples. Hearing these stories, Chinese sculptors modeled statues of Fu or Foo lions, the lions of Buddha, after these native dogs and created an icon of an animal never before seen in China. However this idea is left unsupported due to lack of evidence.
History
The Chow Chow, more commonly known as the chow, is considered one of the oldest recognized dog breeds in the world. The exact ancestral home is not known but the breed surely originates from Mongolia, Siberia or northern China. Based on extensive research, it is believed that the chow has been in existence since the Han dynasty of 150 B.C. In addition to controversy surrounding the breeds' ancestral home, the translation of the word Chow Chow is also debated. There are currently two theories. One theory relates the name to the shipping industry. Ships traveling from the Far East to Europe had to describe their contents. Most ships carried a variety of items and to make it easier for the shippers, the term 'Chow Chow' or 'bric-a-brac' was used to describe them. When the dogs became part of the ship contents, the name stuck. The other theory is not as well liked. Some feel that the name chow is a Cantonese/American slang word for food and refers to the breed's unfortunate use as a food item. Some people dispute that the chow was ever used for food and feel that there is some confusion between the chow and a similar appearing dog that really is used as a food source. Even though the chow originated in northern China, most of the dogs were found in the Canton area of southern China where he was called the 'black mouthed dog' due to his uncommonly blue-black tongue. The breed was so popular that at least one kennel housed up to 5,000 dogs at one time. The chow was first brought to England in the late 19th century and became popular after Queen Victoria showed an interest in the breed. After finally arriving in the United States in early 1900, the chow was quickly accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1903 as a member of the non-sporting group.
Appearance and Size
The Chow is a sturdily built dog that is square in profile with broad skull and small, triangular, erect ears that are rounded at the tip. The breed has a very dense double coat that is either smooth or rough. The fur is particularly thick around the neck, giving the distinctive ruff or mane appearance. The coat may be one of five colors including red, black, blue, cinnamon/fawn, and cream. Their eyes should be deep set and almond in shape. Chows are distinguished by their unusual blue-black/purple tongue and very straight hind legs, resulting in a rather stilted gait. The bluish color extends to the Chow's lips, which is the only dog breed with this distinctive bluish appearance in its lips and oral cavity (other dogs have black or a piebald pattern skin in their mouths). One other distinctive feature is their curly tail. It has thick hair and lays curled on its back. Their nose should be black (except the blue which can have a solid blue or slate colored nose). Any other tone is disqualification for showing in the United States under AKC breed standard. However, FCI countries do allow for a self-colored nose in the cream. The blue-black/purple tongue gene appears to be dominant, as almost all mixed breed dogs who come from a Chow retain the tongue color. This is not to say, however, that every mixed breed dog with spots of purple on the tongue is descended from chows as purple spots on the tongue can be found on a multitude of pure breed dogs. The chow has a double hair coat with a dense outer coat and a soft woolly undercoat. The most common colors are red, black and cinnamon. The chow measures 19 to 22 inches from the ground to the top of the shoulder. The average weight of an adult chow is 45 to 55 pounds.
Personality
The chow is known for having a strong personality and will of iron and does not appreciate too much attention. The chow is aloof and sedentary with a not-completely-deserved reputation of being aggressive. Unfortunately, a small number of improperly bred and poorly socialized chows have maligned the reputation of the breed. For this reason, chows are often misunderstood and mistrusted by many.
Wikipedia and GNU
The content of this entry is from the Wikipedia article "Chow Chow" licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
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Videos of Chow Chows
Nascar race, dog version: chow chow dogs race, zoom
more: bit.ly see also bit.ly Dogs are spiritual beings, they take care of people like guardian angels. (see my videos: tinyurl.com ) These are our miracle dogs! After we adopted him, Dao (the reddish chow) received 2 total hip replacements and when we adopted him, he was an unwanted dog, thrown on a freeway and rescued by the ASPCA. He went on to a 5 year long run as a miracle therapy dog who volunteered in a local hospital and senior centers. You'd never know that he has titanium hips! We adopted Shukra fr
Three Chow Chow Dogs @ Ang Mo Kio Town Centre attracted curious onlookers
Three Chow Chow dogs were seen at the Ang Mo Kio Town Centre thoroughfair on evening of 23rd Feb 2012. Many curious onlookers were attracted the 3 dogs - 2 whites and 1 black - as their owners pushed the prams with the dogs along. Many onlookers asked questions about the dogs, which were gladly answered by the three owners - 2 pretty ladies and a gentleman. Some were happily snapping away with their mobile phones. Chow Chow is a breed of dog that was developed in China where it is referred to as Songshi Qua
Chow chow dogs darshan
more: bit.ly see also bit.ly Dogs are spiritual beings. Learn about dog astrology and how pets help people. . Chow chow dogs darshan. taken with my mobile cell phone during this morning walk in the park on a beautiful day in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Chow Chow Dogs Play in Yard
more videos www.youtube.com come meditate w. me: Yoga.GraceLightDC.org Taken in my back yard in 2006 chows dogs love to play. Happiness to shelter dogs everywhere. We had just rescued the cute white chow chow who found a lovely home with a vet tech. To adopt a dog, visit your local humane society or ASPCA and ask them to find you a suitable pet. They have pets of all breeds, who end up in shelters due to hard times, or moves. Our grey blue chow is now 12 years old and she has proven to us what an angel she
The Right Companion: Chow Chow
www.janson.com Finally, all of our favorite dogs - on one DVD! This indispensable "visual guidebook" is not just for prospective dog owners, but for dog lovers in general.
Funny Pet Videos | Tuxedo Dog Humps Big Chow Chow at Virginia Vineyard | Dogs Gone Wild
www.KeithandShannonFrench.com - Funny dog in a tuxedo humps a big chow chow across the Barrel Oak Winery Vineyards.
Requiem For a Chow Chow- Fare Thee Well
Tribute to Stimpy, my ancient Chow Chow who passed away August 2005. He lived to be 14 years old and fought many noble battles against vermin who dared to penetrate the perimeter of his yard. He was a Florida Boy who loved being outdoors, and when he moved to the high desert of New Mexico, discovered that he also loved snow...and those huge jackrabbits. If your chow has crossed the bridge, please join our Dogster.com group "Chows of Rainbow Bridge" and share your chow stories with us.
Chow Chow Dogs!
This is our first video. Just trying out some things on movie maker with some random pictures of chow chows.
Cute And Beautiful Dogs
Here are photos of "Cute And Beautiful" Dogs Many of them are Chow Chow Why??? Because i love Chow Chow THE MOST (I really like the most Chow Chow and Golden Retriwer but this time i didnt put Golden Retriwers) Hope you like it! Rate,Comment,Subscribe? Thank You Btw.-Song-Leona Lewis-I Got You Byee :D
Chow chow dog goes for a car ride
more: bit.ly see also bit.ly Dogs are spiritual beings. Learn about dog astrology and how pets help people. Our chow chow dog loves to go for car rides and he rides around the dogmobile while we chauffeur him around. He is so happy to come home from the vet.
The Baerleht : Chow Chow
11 Year old Chow Dog The Baerleht. The most aggressive dog I ever met, and the center of my universe!
Zak & Lexi, 2-for-1 mature Chow Chow dogs for adoption
Zak & Lexi (10 yr M & 9 yr F, respectively), were surrendered when their family could no longer keep them. They're both gentle and sweet - and super-easy to walk on leash, and can be adopted - together! - for only $80 ($105, 2-for-1, minus $25 staff favorite discount.) What a deal for priceless love!!! More about Zak: www.petango.com More about Lexi: www.petango.com More about the Humane Society of Indianapolis: indyhumane.org
Chow Chows Dogs Play and run: Hooray for Spring
more: bit.ly see also bit.ly Dogs are spiritual beings. see also: tinyurl.com Our two chow chows love to run and play. Dogs love Spring! going to try out testtube on this and swap audio clips until I find a good one. visit youtube.com to learn about Datta, who inspired this video! Music audio added via YouTube's TestTube: Material Copyright Holder Policy Countries Audio from Old Blind Dogs-The Wisest Fool DRA Allow Everywhere
Chow Chows dogs visit the vet
more: bit.ly see also bit.ly Dogs are spiritual beings. Learn about dog astrology and how pets help people. Our Chow Chows dogs visited the vet today and this vet is an animal eye care specialist. One dog has a turned in eyelid which is scratching his cornea, so we are going to get that fixed. but first we have to make sure his heart can handle general anesthesia so he'll get an EKG from his regular vet and then, if everything is okay, he gets a doggy face lift! His face is drooping and his eyelids are scra
Chow Dogs Pull Kid on Sheet Pan
After the great Portland Oregon Snow Storm Dec08, Our chow dog bucca, pulls Amber on sheet pan down the road. I really think we could make a sled dog out of him. Rocco on the other hand, our other chow wants nothing to do with pulling anything, or any one.
Chow chows! puppies pa lang. :P
chow chow puppies! :P our chow chow gave birth to 5 puppies. :p 4 lang andito . haha they're all so cute!
