Austin Vet Clinic

The Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is well known for its large, puffy fur coat, black tongue, and distinctive gait. It is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world; its ancestors were found in China over 4,000 years ago. Its name in Chinese, “Songshi Quan” means, quite appropriately, “Puffy Lion Dog.”

Behavior

Chow Chows are very territorial, loyal creatures who can often be aloof towards strangers. It is often perceived as an aggressive dog; however, as with most behavior traits of this nature, this can be offset with proper socialization and care. They tend to be quite stubborn, and once set in their ways, it is difficult to change their habits. As such, it is important to socialize them from a young age.

Health Problems

Chow Chows can suffer from an eye disorder called entropion, where the eyelashes curve excessively inward and constantly scrape the eye surface. This can be uncomfortable for the Chow Chow, causing tear stains and sometimes can even result in vision problems. Although a Chow Chow can occasionally outgrow entropion, most of the time it can only be treated with surgery. They also tend to suffer from dysplasia of the hip and elbows, a malformation of these joints. This is especially common because of the Chow Chow’s unique bone structure and gait, and is one of the leading causes of arthritis in Chow Chows.

For more veterinary care, breed specific, and other general pet health care questions, contact your Austin Vet Clinic.