Chow Chow
Breed Stats
Chow Chow Puppy Overview
Chow chows are one of the most ancient dog breeds, dating back to a few thousand years in Northern China, where they lived as the nobility’s adored companions. In the 8th century, during the Tang Dynasty, an emperor had about 5,000 chows in his kennel at one point. These dogs were originally bred to hunt and guard, which makes them wonderful all-purpose pets today. You’ll find these “fluffy lion dogs” in old Chinese art, highlighting their significance in ancient China.
Chow chow pups are widely known for their unique, adorable, and elegant looks. They have compact, sturdy bodies, covered with a dense plush coat that is particularly thick around their neck area. They are famous for their unique blue-black tongue, a feature uncommon in dogs.
Over the years, their popularity has slowly dwindled. Nowadays, they are not commonly spotted as pets in North America, especially in comparison to other dog breeds like golden retrievers and poodles. This may be in part due to their aloof (almost snobbish) nature and independent attitude. While this does make it a little difficult to train them, it’s all worth it because of how cute they are.
If you’re interested in bringing one of these canine teddy bears home, then you’re up for a challenge. Their rarity means you’ll have to put in more effort to find a purebred chow chow for sale. If you’re considering buying from a breeder, then expect to be put on a long waitlist. Bringing a well-bred chow chow pup home requires a lot of patience and determination, but in the end, you will have a highly intelligent and dignified companion that is deeply loyal to you!
In this article, we’ll guide you on everything you need to know about buying a chow chow. Read on to learn more about the breed and how you can find a reputable breeder in your area.
How to Find Chow Chow Puppies for Sale?
Since chow chow is a fairly rare breed, finding a healthy, pure-bred puppy can be difficult. Ask around to find a reputable chow chow breeder in your area. If you know someone who owns a chow chow, they could be the best place to ask, as they can refer you to their breeder. While it might take some time, you likely will need to put your name on the breeder’s waitlist due to the demand for these dogs.
You can also surf the internet online. You’ll find many websites and Facebook groups where breeders post their dogs. However, watch out for scammers when browsing dogs online. We recommend Dog Academy as a reliable place to search for chow chow puppies for sale.
How to Find a Good Chow Chow Puppy Breeder?
The importance of finding a good breeder cannot be emphasized enough. If you want a healthy pedigreed puppy, your breeder has to be reliable. There are a lot of backyard breeders masquerading as ethical ones, so you need to be aware of all potential green and red flags in a breeder.
A good breeder genuinely cares about their puppies and this will reflect in their behaviour. They’ll schedule informal interviews to assess your capability and give you all the necessary information you need about the breed. They also provide you with important documents like vaccination records and birth certificates.
However, if you feel like your breeder is not being transparent with you, then consider this a major red flag. Unethical breeders prioritize money over the puppy’s welfare. They breed their dogs without proper health screenings and this leads to a lot of problems. If your breeder is being too pushy and pressurizing you into buying their dog, then back off immediately. Keeping these in mind will ensure you find a good chow chow breeder in your area.
How Much Does a Chow Chow Puppy Cost?
As mentioned earlier, chow chows are a bit more expensive compared to other dog breeds. Their cost varies depending on factors like breed rarity in the area, breeder reputation, location, and bloodline. Puppies from champion bloodlines or with rarer colored coats tend to have a higher price tag.
If you’re buying from a well-known high-end breeder, then you should expect to pay a few thousand dollars. A chow chow pup can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000. Along with this, you’ll have to budget for other expenses like food, grooming, vaccinations, toys, and pet insurance. These can total to $2,000 to $3,000 annually.
Chow Chows For Sale
How to Care for a Chow Chow Puppy?
Chow chows are strong-willed dogs, which makes them hard to train. You’ll often see a chow chow ignoring commands and pretending you’re invisible, which makes consistent training so important. Since chow chows are territorial dogs, they feel anxious in new environments, often expressing their restlessness through excessive barking. Early socialization is the easy fix for this. It will gradually help your pup grow comfortable in new environments.
You have to be very patient when you’re dealing with a chow chow. Constant reprimanding and punishments can make your puppy upset. This will lead to a lot of ruined and chewed-up furniture. It’s also important to keep your puppy exercised. 30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise will keep them happy and healthy. Be sure to tailor your exercise sessions according to your puppy’s age.
Scheduling playtime activities in your yard is great for outdoor exposure. However, chow chows are fond of digging so you’ll have to puppy-proof your yard. Designating digging spots is a great way to manage this kind of behavior. They have high-maintenance grooming needs as well. As your pup grows its coat, daily brushing becomes essential, especially during shedding season.
Is It a Good Idea to Buy a Chow Chow Puppy As Your First Dog?
While Chow chows are an undeniably adorable dog breed, they might not be the best choice for novice trainers. Their strong-willed, independent, and aloof nature, makes it very challenging to train them. You’ll have to be very consistent and patient to get them to comply, unlike other eager-to-please breeds.
It’s also important to keep them mentally stimulated. If they’re not socialized early on, they can develop unwanted territorial tendencies and become aloof. If they’re upset they can resort to destructive behaviors like excessive chewing, barking, or digging. Beginner dog owners might get overwhelmed by such behavior.
Chow chows were bred to be strong, so their strength shouldn’t be surprising. Even as puppies, they are fairly strong. This is evident through their sturdy and muscular build. They can sometimes dislike being handled and may struggle when put on a leash, making it difficult to control them. Admittedly, all these can be overwhelming for first-time owners. Given their strong frame and difficult personalities, the chow chow is a dog breed more for experienced owners.
Buy the Right Chow Chow Puppy for You
If you’re an experienced dog owner whose heart is set on buying a chow chow, then before you get one, make sure you’re well prepared for it. You’ll have to assess your lifestyle first. If you’re living in an apartment, then excessive barking will lead to unhappy neighbors, and if you have a well-looked-after yard, then be prepared to risk having holes in it. Owning a chow chow isn’t just a luxury, it’s a privilege and a big commitment.
If you’re willing to be patient through everything and are ready to cater to its high-maintenance needs, then a chow chow will make a lovely pet for you. Initially, you will have to deal with its stubbornness, but it can gradually be overcome through basic obedience training. Puppies are generally easier to mold into well-behaved pets. After you get over the training part, it’s basically all love and fun.
