Where the Chow Chow breed comes from is still a mystery today, but they probably originated in Mongolia and Manchuria, where their meat was considered a delicacy and their beautiful thick fur was used for clothing. Later they were also introduced into China. In several decades the breed was used as protectors of temples with hordes of evil spirits. It was used in the aristocracy as a hunting dog, as a guard dog or as a sledge and cart stretcher.

The Chow Chow is distinguished by a special character. He tends to be headstrong, can be a real stubborn dog and is not easy to train. He does not have the will to please by nature. He is also incredibly proud. At the same time, he radiates an almost stoic calm, which makes him seem sublime. Some say he is more cat than dog. He is loyal to his owner without being submissive. Strangers, on the other hand, he meets with shyness and often rejection.

The Chow Chow is a small, compact dog with an apparently square stature. The tail is curved over the back. The inside of the mouth and the tongue are blue/black in colour. There are two types of coat – short and long – and a wide variety of colours (black, red, blue, fawn, cream). Adult males measure 48-56 cm and weigh about 26-32 kg. Adult females are 46-51 cm tall and weigh 20-25 kg.

The coat of the Chow Chow is dense and smooth. The rough coat version has a coarse, loose texture, not too long and the undercoat is soft and woolly. The coat is thicker around the neck and at the back of the thighs. To prevent matting of the thick coat, it is best to brush your Chow-Chow daily. It is especially important to brush the coat behind the ears and on the ruff, as this is where the hair tangles most easily. In addition, you must check his wrinkles regularly and clean them carefully, as they quickly become inflamed.