View source for Chow Chow

{{About|the dog breed|the pickled relish|Chow-chow (food)
|the Chinese warlord|Cao Cao}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox dog breed
| country         = China
| image           = Chow-chow in Tallinn.JPG
| image_caption   = Chow Chow
| name            = Chow Chow 
| altname         = Chow 
| maleweight      = {{convert|40|-|90|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="Wilcox1999" /> 
| femaleweight    = {{convert|35|-|85|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="Wilcox1999" />
| height          = {{convert|17|to|22|in|cm}}<ref name="Wilcox1999">
{{cite book |last=Wilcox |first=Charlotte |date=April 1, 1999 |title=The Chow Chow |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NiPQPLXJ2SgC |publisher=[[Capstone Publishers|Capstone]] |isbn=978-0-7368-0159-1}}</ref>{{rp|4–5}}
| coat            = Thick and coarse
| litter_size     = 4–7
| colour           = {{plainlist|
* Red (light gold to deep red-brown)
* Cinnamon (light tan to brown)
* Black
* Cream
* white or ivory}}
| origin = [[China]] 
<!-----Kennel club standards----->
| kc_name        = [[China Kennel Union]]
| kc_std         = http://www.cku.org.cn/breed/dog/205
| fcistd         = http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/205g05-en.pdf
}}

The '''Chow Chow''' is a [[spitz]]-type of [[dog breed]] originally from [[North China|Northern China]].<ref>Case, Linda P. (2005). ''The Dog: Its Behavior, Nutrition, and Health'' (2nd ed.), p. 23. Blackwell Publishing. {{ISBN|0-8138-1254-2}}.</ref> The Chow Chow is a sturdily built dog, square in profile, with a broad skull and small, triangular, erect ears with rounded tips. The breed is known for a very dense [[double coat]] that is either smooth or rough.<ref name="Wilcox1999" />{{rp|4–5}} The fur is particularly thick in the neck area, giving it a distinctive [[Ruff (clothing)|ruff]] or mane appearance. The coat may be shaded/self-red, black, blue, cinnamon/fawn, or cream.<ref name="Wilcox1999" />{{rp|4–5}}<ref name="Colours and coat types">{{cite web|title=Colours and coat types|url=http://chowchowclub.co.za/breed-info/colours-coat.htm|publisher=Chow Chow Club|access-date=December 16, 2012|archive-date=March 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328035256/http://chowchowclub.co.za/breed-info/colours-coat.htm}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Chow-Chow from 1915.JPG|thumb|A Chow Chow in 1915]]

The Chow Chow has been identified as a [[Dog breed#Basal breeds|basal breed]] that predates the emergence of the modern breeds in the 19th century.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Larson, G|year=2012|title=Rethinking dog domestication by integrating genetics, archeology, and biogeography|doi=10.1073/pnas.1203005109|pmid=22615366|pmc=3384140|volume=109|journal=Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.|issue=23|pages=8878–83|bibcode=2012PNAS..109.8878L|doi-access=free}}</ref> A research study has concluded that the Chow Chow dog breed originated from other indigenous dogs in central China about 8,300 years ago. The ancient breed evolved and manifests both morphological and physiological features, including its dark tongue, coat of fur, and stronger build.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The origin of chow chows in the light of the East Asian breeds|journal=BMC Genomics|author=Hechuan Yang|author2=Guodong Wang |author3=Meng Weng |author4=Yaping Ma |author5=Tingting Yin |author6=Ruoxi Fan |author7=Hong Wu |author8=Li Zhong |author9=David M. Irwin |author10=Weiwei Zhai |author11=Yaping Zhang |year=2001–2010|volume=18 |issue=1 |page=174 |doi=10.1186/s12864-017-3525-9 |doi-access=free |pmid=28201986 |pmc=5312535 }}</ref>

One Chinese legend mentions large war dogs from Central Asia that resembled black-tongued lions. One Chinese ruler was said to own 5,000 Chows. The Chinese also used Chows to pull [[dog sled]]s through swampy terrain, and this was remarked upon by [[Marco Polo]].<ref name="Wilcox1999" />{{rp|11}}

Today, the [[American Kennel Club]] registers approximately 10,000 Chow Chows a year. The [[Canadian Kennel Club]] registers approximately 350.<ref name="Wilcox1999" />{{rp|4–5}}
[[File:ChowChow2Szczecin.jpg|thumb|A puppy Chow Chow]]
The English name ''Chow Chow'' is unlinked to any Chinese name such as the modern 鬆獅犬/松狮犬 (''sōng shī quǎn'', lit. "loose lion dog") for the same breed, and hence of uncertain origin - possible and folk etymologies refer to [[Pidgin English]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/chow |title=Chow |website=Online Etymology Dictionary |access-date=2024-07-16}}</ref>

== Appearance ==
[[File:03 Bokeh the Chow.jpg|thumb|Female Chow Chow, showing characteristic blue-black tongue]]
The Chow Chow is a sturdily built dog, square in profile, with a broad skull and small, triangular, erect ears with rounded tips. The breed is known for a very dense [[double coat]] that is either smooth or rough.<ref name="Wilcox1999" />{{rp|4–5}} The fur is particularly thick in the neck area, giving it a distinctive [[Ruff (clothing)|ruff]] or [[:wikt:mane|mane]] appearance. The coat may be shaded/self-red, black, blue, cinnamon/fawn, or cream.<ref name="Wilcox1999" />{{rp|4–5}}<ref name="Colours and coat types"/>
Not all these color varieties are recognized as valid in all countries. Individuals with patchy or multicolored coats are considered to be outside the breed standard.
Chow Chow eyes are typically deep set and almond shaped. The tongue is purple or blue-black; this color extends to the lips. The Chow Chow is the only dog breed with this distinctive bluish color in its lips and oral cavity; other dogs have black or a piebald pattern skin in their mouths.<ref name="Wilcox1999" /> The hind legs are very straight, resulting in a rather stilted gait.<ref name="Wilcox1999" />{{rp|4–5}} {{rp|4–5}} Another distinctive feature is the curly tail.<ref name="Wilcox1999" />{{rp|4–5}} It has thick hair and lies curled on its back. The nose should be black, but blue-coated Chow Chow can have a solid blue or slate-colored nose. According to the American Kennel Club breed standards, any other tone is not acceptable for contests.<ref name="AKC">{{cite web|title=AKC MEET THE BREEDS: Chow Chow|url=http://www.akc.org/breeds/chow_chow/|work=American Kennel Club|publisher=American Kennel Club (AKC)|access-date=July 10, 2012|author=American Kennel Club|date=January 1, 2006}}</ref> FCI countries, however, do allow a self-colored nose in the cream.<ref>{{cite web|title=The FCI Breed Standard|url=http://www.chowchow.at/en/breed/the-FCI-chow-chow-breed-standard.shtml|work=CHOWCHOW.at|publisher=CHOWCHOW.at Alle Rechte vorbehalten|access-date=July 10, 2012|author=CHOWCHOW.at|date=June 9, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811125528/http://www.chowchow.at/en/breed/the-FCI-chow-chow-breed-standard.shtml|archive-date=August 11, 2012}}</ref>

The blue-black/purple tongue gene appears to be dominant, as most mixed breed dogs that come from a Chow Chow retain that tongue color. However, the blue-black/purple tongue can also be found on the [[Shar Pei]]. This is not to say that every mixed breed dog with spots of purple on the tongue is descended from Chow Chow, as purple spots on the tongue can be found on other [[purebred dog]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Truth About Those Black Tongues|url=http://www.chowwelfare.com/cciw/blacktongue.htm|work=Chow Chow Information and Adoption Center|publisher=WisconsinChow Chow Rescue|access-date=July 10, 2012|author=Kathy Welsh|author2=Anna Wallace|author3=Vicki DeGruy|year=2001–2010|archive-date=September 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907224532/http://www.chowwelfare.com/cciw/blacktongue.htm}}</ref>

== Temperament ==
Owning a Chow Chow can raise the cost of homeowners' insurance in the US because some companies consider them high-risk dogs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Will Your Canine Affect Your Homeowners Insurance Policy?|url=http://www.insuranceagents.com/2009-06-canine.html|work=InsuranceAgents.com|publisher=AgentInsider.com|access-date=July 10, 2012|author=InsuranceAgents.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014123233/http://www.insuranceagents.com/2009-06-canine.html|archive-date=October 14, 2012}}</ref> In a study in the ''Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association'', Chow Chow were responsible for 8 out of 238 fatalities related to dog bites from 1979 to 1998.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=J. Sacks |first1=Jeffrey |first2=Leslie |last2=Sinclair |first3=Julie |last3=Gilchrist |title=Vet Med Today: Special Report – "Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998" |journal=JAVMA |date=September 15, 2000 |volume=217 |issue=6 |pages=836–40 |doi=10.2460/javma.2000.217.836 |pmid=10997153 |s2cid=10817039 |url=https://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411211206/http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf |archive-date=April 11, 2015}}</ref>

== Colors ==
Chow Chows can come in a variety of coat colors. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has classified Chow Chow colors as either standard or non-standard (rare colors). The standard colors for Chow Chows are black, blue, red, cream, and cinnamon. However, colors such as fawn, white, and merle are not considered standard for this breed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chow Chow Dog Breed Information |url=https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chow-chow/ |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=American Kennel Club |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Christina |date=2021-06-18 |title=Chow Chow Colors: A Guide To Rare Colors Of Chow Chow Dogs |url=https://www.pupvine.com/chow-chow-colors/ |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=PupVine |language=en-US}}</ref>

Different canine clubs worldwide may acknowledge different coat colors or even use alternative names for the colors mentioned above.<!--- Better to include reference to any KC standard that includes different colours---><ref name=":0" /><gallery widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="5" mode="packed-hover" caption="The different Chow Chow colors">
File:Chowspecialen 012.jpg|5 Chow Chows of different coat colors
File:ChowChow1.jpg|Cream
File:02 - Chow-chow.jpg|Fawn
File:01 Chow Chow.jpg|Red
File:Көгілдір чау.jpg|Blue
File:Chow chow czarny głowa 61.jpg|Black
</gallery>

== Health ==
A UK study found the life expectancy of the Chow Chow to be 12.1 years, just higher than the 12 year average for [[Mongrel|crossbreeds]] and lower than the 12.7 years average for purebreeds.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=McMillan | first1=Kirsten M. | last2=Bielby | first2=Jon | last3=Williams | first3=Carys L. | last4=Upjohn | first4=Melissa M. | last5=Casey | first5=Rachel A. | last6=Christley | first6=Robert M. | title=Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death | journal=Scientific Reports | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=14 | issue=1 | date=2024-02-01 | issn=2045-2322 | doi=10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w | page=531| pmid=38302530 | pmc=10834484 | bibcode=2024NatSR..14..531M }}</ref>

===Skeletal conditions===
A North American study looking at more than a million records of dogs found 6.44% of Chow Chow dogs to have [[Canine hip dysplasia|hip dysplasia]] compared with 3.52% overall. The study also found 4.3% of Chow Chow dogs to have [[cranial cruciate ligament deficiency]] compared to 2.52% overall.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Witsberger | first1=Tige H. | last2=Villamil | first2=J. Armando | last3=Schultz | first3=Loren G. | last4=Hahn | first4=Allen W. | last5=Cook | first5=James L. | title=Prevalence of and risk factors for hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament deficiency in dogs | journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association | publisher=American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) | volume=232 | issue=12 | date=2008-06-15 | issn=0003-1488 | doi=10.2460/javma.232.12.1818 | pages=1818–1824| pmid=18598150 }}</ref>

Another North American study looking at more than 250,000 elbow scans found the Chow Chow to have the highest prevalence of [[elbow dysplasia]], with 48.6% of dogs over the age of 2 having elbow dysplasia.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Oberbauer | first1=A. M. | last2=Keller | first2=G. G. | last3=Famula | first3=T. R. | title=Long-term genetic selection reduced prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia in 60 dog breeds | journal=PLOS ONE | publisher=Public Library of Science (PLoS) | volume=12 | issue=2 | date=2017-02-24 | issn=1932-6203 | doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0172918 | doi-access=free | article-number=e0172918| pmid=28234985 | bibcode=2017PLoSO..1272918O | pmc=5325577 }}</ref>

===Ophthalmological conditions===
A North American study looking at [[glaucoma]] in dog breeds found the Chow Chow to have the third highest prevalence with 4.7% of Chow Chow dogs having glaucoma compared to 0.89% overall.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Gelatt | first1=Kirk N. | last2=MacKay | first2=Edward O. | title=Prevalence of the breed-related glaucomas in pure-bred dogs in North America | journal=Veterinary Ophthalmology | volume=7 | issue=2 | date=2004 | issn=1463-5216 | doi=10.1111/j.1463-5224.2004.04006.x | pages=97–111}}</ref>

===Dermatological conditions===
A study looking at records from a small animal clinic at the [[University of Montreal]] found the Chow Chow to be predisposed to [[alopecia X]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1=DW | first1=Scott | last2=M | first2=Paradis | title=A survey of canine and feline skin disorders seen in a university practice: Small Animal Clinic, University of Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec (1987-1988) | journal=The Canadian Veterinary Journal | date=1990 | volume=31 | issue=12 | pages=830–835 | issn=0008-5286 | pmid=17423707 | pmc=1480900 }}</ref>

A review of studies in Australia found the Chow Chow to be prediposed to [[atopic dermatitis]] with a 7.1 odds ratio.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Mazrier | first1=Hamutal | last2=Vogelnest | first2=Linda J. | last3=Thomson | first3=Peter C. | last4=Taylor | first4=Rosanne M. | last5=Williamson | first5=Peter | title=Canine atopic dermatitis: breed risk in Australia and evidence for a susceptible clade | journal=Veterinary Dermatology | publisher=Wiley | volume=27 | issue=3 | date=2016-05-18 | pages=167–e42 | issn=0959-4493 | doi=10.1111/vde.12317 | pmid=27188769 }}</ref>

A US case study found a predisposition to [[pemphigus foliaceus]] with an odds ratio of 12.3.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Kuhl | first1=K. A. | last2=Shofer | first2=F. S. | last3=Goldschmidt | first3=M. H. | title=Comparative Histopathology of Pemphigus Foliaceus and Superficial Folliculitis in the Dog | journal=Veterinary Pathology | publisher=SAGE Publications | volume=31 | issue=1 | year=1994 | issn=0300-9858 | doi=10.1177/030098589403100103 | pages=19–27| pmid=8140722 }}</ref>

A breed specific mutation causing [[tyrosinase]] deficiency which results in leukotrichia exists in the Chow Chow.<ref>{{cite book | last=Englar | first=Ryane E. | title=Common Clinical Presentations in Dogs and Cats | publisher=Wiley | date=2019-07-03 | isbn=978-1-119-41458-2 | doi=10.1002/9781119414612 |chapter=Changes in coat color| page=140}}</ref>
===Gastrointestinal conditions===
A UK study looking at [[exocrine pancreatic insufficiency]] in breeds found the Chow Chow to be predisposed to the condition.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Batchelor | first1=Daniel J. | last2=Noble | first2=Peter-John M. | last3=Cripps | first3=Peter J. | last4=Taylor | first4=Rebecca H. | last5=McLean | first5=Lynn | last6=Leibl | first6=Marion A. | last7=German | first7=AIexander J. | title=Breed Associations for Canine Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency | journal=Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine | publisher=Wiley | volume=21 | issue=2 | year=2007 | issn=0891-6640 | doi=10.1111/j.1939-1676.2007.tb02950.x | pages=207–214| pmid=17427378 | doi-access=free }}</ref>

===Neoplastic conditions===
An Austrian case series found an odds ratio of 23.53 for contracting [[stomach cancer]].<ref name="chowchow">{{cite book | last1=Gough | first1=Alex | last2=Thomas | first2=Alison | last3=O'Neill | first3=Dan | title=Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats | publisher=John Wiley & Sons | publication-place=Hoboken | date=2018-04-23 | isbn=978-1-119-22554-6 | pages=71–72}}</ref>

A US study looking at cases of oral [[melanoma]] found the breed to be over-represented with an odds ratio of 7.89.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Ramos-Vara | first1=J. A. | last2=Beissenherz | first2=M. E. | last3=Miller | first3=M. A. | last4=Johnson | first4=G. C. | last5=Pace | first5=L. W. | last6=Fard | first6=A. | last7=Kottler | first7=S. J. | title=Retrospective Study of 338 Canine Oral Melanomas with Clinical, Histologic, and Immunohistochemical Review of 129 Cases | journal=Veterinary Pathology | publisher=SAGE Publications | volume=37 | issue=6 | year=2000 | issn=0300-9858 | doi=10.1354/vp.37-6-597 | pages=597–608| pmid=11105949 }}</ref>

===Reproductive conditions===
In a Belgian study Chow Chow bitches made up 6.4% of cases of [[pyometra]] despite the breed making up 1.6% of the population. Pyometra was found to be more extreme in the breed with [[anaemia]] and [[endotoxaemia]] reported.<ref name="chowchow"/>

===Other conditions===
The Chow Chow can suffer from [[diabetes mellitus]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Diabetes Mellitus|url=http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/disease-information/diabetes-mellitus.html|access-date=July 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002223949/http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/disease-information/diabetes-mellitus.html|archive-date=October 2, 2011}}</ref> and [[gastric cancer]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Positional Cloning of the Gene(s) for Gastric Cancer in the Chow Chow|url=http://www.akcchf.org/research/funded-research/1093.html|access-date=July 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002224035/http://www.akcchf.org/research/funded-research/1093.html|archive-date=October 2, 2011}}</ref> Chow Chows are a high risk breed for [[autoimmune disease]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Establishment of a Genetic Database for Disease Association Studies in the Major Histocompatibility complex for Purebred Dogs|url=http://www.akcchf.org/research/funded-research/0079.html|access-date=July 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002225050/http://www.akcchf.org/research/funded-research/0079.html|archive-date=October 2, 2011}}</ref>
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:IMG 0382 - Chow Chow, front.jpg|A Chow Chow with reddish coat
File:IMG 0383 - Chow Chow, side.jpg|The Chow Chow's fur is particularly thick in the neck area, giving it a distinctive ruff or mane appearance.
</gallery>

== Notable dogs ==
[[Sigmund Freud]] had a Chow Chow named [[Jofi|Jo-Fi Ling]] who attended all of his therapy sessions because he felt that dogs had a special sense that allows them to judge a person's character accurately, and admitted he depended on Jo-Fi for an assessment of a patient's mental state.<ref>{{cite book|last=Coren|first=Stanley|title=What Do Dogs Know?|year=1997|publisher=Free Press|page=128}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|China}}
* [[Portal:Dogs|Dogs portal]]
* [[List of dog breeds]]
* [[Eurasier]], a dog-breed created through crossing Chow Chow, [[Wolfspitz]] and [[Samoyed dog]]
* [[Tibetan Mastiff]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Chow Chow}}
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[[Category:FCI breeds]]
[[Category:Dog breeds originating in China]]
[[Category:Spitz breeds]]