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Chow Chow
Breed Stats
Weight/Height:
17 to 22 inches, 35 to 90 pounds
Coat Type:
Thick double coat that’s rough or smooth
Grooming Needs:
Shedding:
Temperament:
Aloof, independent, stubborn, loyal
Good With Kids:
Good With Other Animals:
Intelligence:
Easy To Train:
Energy Level:
Barking Habits:
Lifespan:
8-15 years
How to Adopt a Chow Chow: A Concise Guide
The chow chow is a rare dog breed with roots going as far back as 8,300 years to ancient China. These dogs were utilized for various purposes throughout the years they existed, including guarding homes, pulling carts, herding livestock, keeping children company, and more.
With this much usefulness, the modern chow chow is one dog breed that many consider adopting. However, it isn’t for the same reasons as hundreds of years ago. Chow chows are more known for their cute, fluffy appearance as family companions rather than versatile working dogs in today’s world. They can make great pets for the right people, but finding one through adoption might be challenging as they aren’t very popular.
While it is certainly rare that these dogs end up in shelters due to their low ownership numbers compared to many other breeds, countless chow chows are looking for their forever homes in shelters, adoption centers, and foster homes. If you are interested in adopting a chow chow, however, be prepared to do some digging to locate one up for adoption.
When you find one, expect to spend about $200 to $600 in adoption fees. If adopting a puppy, however, you might pay a little more, but it shouldn’t cost more than $1,000. The initial adoption cost might be fairly high, but it is going to be much less than buying a puppy from a breeder, which can cost upwards of several thousands.
This summarizes the adoption costs, but don’t forget the ongoing expenses. Chow chows are fairly expensive dogs with many care needs that can add up to a significant amount per year. Prospective owners should budget around $2,500 to cover expenses like food, grooming, veterinary, and supplies.
However, it is critical for all prospective owners of this breed to get to know these dogs. They are surely affectionate and loving, but they aren’t for everyone. Chow chows are headstrong dogs with a dignified nature that can be troubling to manage for those who aren’t expecting a difficult dog. Since all these mainly come down to caring for a chow chow, here’s everything you need to know to determine if this dog breed is the right one to adopt.
Chow Chows For Adoption
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How to Care for an Adopted Chow Chow?
Chow chows are high-maintenance dogs that demand a lot from their owner compared to many other dog breeds. An adopted chow chow is likely going to be even more demanding. This is primarily because many chow chows that are left in shelters up for adoption suffer from behavioral issues due to the neglect they received. Coupled with their headstrong personalities that aren’t afraid to act when they disagree with something, they can be a little too much to handle.
For example, if a chow chow experienced neglect and abuse in their previous home, they might be afraid of human touch and act aggressively when someone comes too close, especially a stranger. However, with their muscular appearance and dominant nature, chow chows demand respect, and all prospective owners should be ready to give as much as these dogs deserve.
Considering their temperament, adopting an adult chow chow requires lots of training and socialization to curb potential behavioral issues they might have picked up from their past life. That’s why it is also essential to learn as much as possible about their background when adopting. This will help you set realistic expectations on what it is going to be like to have the dog you are interested in bringing home.
If adopting a chow chow puppy, you will need to invest your time heavily in socialization and training, as these dogs are prone to some aggressive tendencies. Taking them out for new sights, letting them interact with friendly dogs and strangers, and exposing them to different environments will set them up for a great life ahead.
Although chow chows aren’t the most trainable dogs, they respond well to reward-based training with their highly food-motivated nature – owners should use this as an advantage in every part of the training. Following positive reinforcement training, they can let some of their inherent aggression towards unfamiliar people go and become well-rounded dogs that can differentiate between something harmless and an actual threat.
Regardless of the age or background of the chow chow you bring home, they will have some standard care needs. These include a high-quality diet to benefit their health, daily exercise and mental stimulation, regular grooming, and routine vet check-ups. All these are essential to ensure your chow chow lives a healthy life.
Grooming is a particularly demanding part of owning a chow chow, as these dogs have thick coats that require frequent brushing and upkeep. They need brushing about two times a week to remove dead hair, but if you live in a hot and humid climate, brushing more frequently is recommended to improve air circulation in their coats. In addition to these, chow chows also need professional grooming every ten weeks to tidy up their appearance.
With all these, it is safe to say that chow chows are demanding dogs. All prospective owners must be realistic about whether or not they have what it takes to care for these dogs. They certainly aren’t for those living a busy life looking for a low-maintenance dog. Before taking any action to adopt a chow chow, make sure that you are prepared for their care needs and that the dog you bring home receives adequate attention, which is particularly important for adopted dogs.
Is It a Good Idea to Adopt a Chow Chow As Your First Dog?
Chow chows are a little too much for most first-time dog parents, especially through the adoption route. These dogs have an independent nature that makes them stubborn during training and in every other aspect of life.
Since adopting a dog means that you will know less about their background compared to purchasing a puppy from a breeder, they might have behavioral issues that require addressing before they can fully adapt to your life. Given the breed’s stubborn nature, a chow chow can easily become too difficult to manage for a first-time dog parent.
However, this isn’t the only problem when it comes to the chow’s compatibility with novice owners. These dogs are also strong, making them difficult to control if they pull on the leash or want to chase after a squirrel due to their high prey drive. If you have little experience handling dogs, a chow chow that pulls on the leash will be like having intense workouts every time you take your dog out for a walk.
There’s also the natural temperament of this breed. Chow chows are dignified dogs that don’t take anything from anyone. If they aren’t pleased about something, these dogs aren’t shy about letting others know. Their reserved side also means that they take a long while to get used to the presence of strangers, further adding to the possible difficulties first-time dog parents might face having a chow chow.
Overall, the chow chow isn’t a dog breed for novice owners. These dogs call for an experienced owner, preferably someone knowledgeable about dominant dog breeds.
Adopt the Right Chow Chow for You
Now that you know how to adopt a chow chow and what it takes to care for these dogs, you can make an informed decision if adding one is the right choice for you. If you’ve decided that the chow chow is the dog breed for you, then the only thing left to do is to find the right chow chow.
When finding a chow chow to adopt, it is crucial not to rely only on online descriptions. Prospective owners must meet the dogs they are interested in adopting to gauge their personality. Some chow chows are very dominant, while others are laid-back and fairly social. However, you won’t know this until you interact with them and spend enough time understanding their individual temperament.
Meeting the chow chow you intend to adopt is also a good opportunity to ask about their history. For instance, if a chow chow is coming from a harsh background, they might have some aggression and resist training at first. In these cases, it is always best to evaluate your experience to determine whether or not you can manage it.
Once you meet a chow chow that feels like the right companion for you, the next step is to start the adoption process. This usually involves submitting an application, which usually includes typical adoption questions about you, your family, and your experience as a dog owner to determine if you are a good fit. The application may also ask about your work, income, and home, with most rescues and shelters conducting home visits to see where the chow chow you adopt would live.
If you are accepted to adopt the dog you want to adopt following all these, you will start a new chapter in your life with a chow chow.
As always, owning a dog is a long-term commitment that requires a strong understanding and dedication, especially when adopting a dog breed as dignified as the chow chow. During the adoption process, take your time, meet different dogs, and don’t rush your decision until you’ve found the one. This might make finding the right chow chow for you a little time-consuming, but it will be worth it in the end, knowing that you’ve made the right decision.
