Calling all CHOW CHOW owners!

Hey all-

My mom is thinking of adopting a Chow X puppy that she has been fostering for the past week. This little girl is very sweet and smart.

My mom has an adult female dog (mix) and a cat which seem to be having no troubles with this pup. In fact, they love playing together!

I just wanted to get as much information or stories as possible to help my mom get information to help her make this decision. I have some knowledge on Chows, but not a ton. Please HELP! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by buckwi1d (edited March 05, 2001).]

Hey, I don't own a chow but the young boy I babysit does and she is the sweetest girl. She is sooooo good with the kids and you know how kids can be, they are rough but she never bites doesn't even growl. They just got a kitten and she is great with it, she wouldn't harm a flea. I only know of one chow site if you would like to check it out http://www.cantonchows.com/ good luck :0) and if you can't keep it I hope that it finds a loving happy home.

I have had 2 chows that I had to resocilize Please socialize them are much as possible. They also don't think like a dog they have more of a cat brain so make sure you are the alpha leader . I loved both of my kids but they had been so abused that my family was the only ones that I could trust around them. They were gotten and then a devorce happened and they we left in a yard andfood just thrown over the fence once a day. People hare some what fearful of them as the unsocailized ones have been known to injury people so be ready for that reaction to them . As a pup you have a great job to socalize and make it able to be a terrific dog. Thet also tend to be a one owner type dog. You didn't say what it is crossed with but it could take the personality from that. Good luck and let us know how your doing! Glad your adopting the luck little one.

Corrina is sooooooo right! People look at Chows and think of teddy bears. These dogs were breed for their aggressive nature (many years ago!) their enormous strength and their solid build and hair. The hair and fat around the neck made it difficult for an adversory to get a hold that would do any major damage. A leg, literally, on each corner makes it very difficult to knock down.
The dog has an amazingly calm and laid back attitude......until roused!! Be warned!
Again, as Corrina says, this is way back in the breeds history, but it is there. A properly socialised Chow is a real joy, they are steady and reliable - but you must be totally sure you know where the limit lies.
After saying this, I was a given an eight year old Chow that had lived with a non doggy family all his life - he was the laziest, most excersise resistant dog I have ever known. He was more than happy to be dragged, letting the person on the other end of the lead do all the work. In two months I had the most unexpected animal!! I have never seen such a dramatic change in a dog. He was kept in kennels for this period and our Greyhounds were the ones to bring him out of his shell - we then rehomed him to a home with three children under fifteen where he lived for five fantastic years.
Again - the breed is often misunderstood, not bad, but you must understand them and respect their capabilities.

Carrie what color and body style did you have ? Ours were a very female black dantiy and petite her name was Michowling( my chow ling) The male was an orange and very macho he was called Largent after the football player. But I called him sargent largent he had a military strut and a very bad addittue. He is the one who scared me most. But we did get him family safe, but I NEVER totally trusted him. It's that cat like indepentance that makes them so different to have.

We had a large, heavy boned male, called Trampus, as that is what he looked like he would do as he padded towards us! He was fawn and did come out of his shell in the family home but was always very aloof with us. He never showed any agression but just didn't care about anything at all. He was a dark red.

Well, still no word on the owners of this sweet pup that we have started to call Sophie. She is an absolute doll and whatever Chow is in her seems to be only in appearance. She is playful and very loving. She wants to lick to death any and all people that come into the house and she loves the dogs too. Sophie is house training very quickly (only one accident) and runs full speed to anyone who calls to her to come. She is an absolute lover!

Right now she is a little mud ball as it rained and she went puddle stomping. She even got our old wise dog to romp around and get dirty when I know she knows better. Nothing but fun!

Good luck with your beautful Sophie girl. It sounds like she is off to a great start. Very loved and loving in return http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif Please let us know how she is getting a long. Oh, and give a big hug to her too, of course!

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Originally posted by tatsxxx11:
Oh, and give a big hug to her too, of course!

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No problem. Sophie is just like snuggling with a teddy bear and just as sweet since she gives you kisses too!! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif