Chow Chow Dogs for Adoption in San Bernardino, CA

A Chow Chow is an ancient spitz-type dog breed from northern China, known for its lion-like mane, scowling face and blue-black tongue. It was historically an all-purpose working dog used for hunting, guarding and pulling. Chows are sturdy, medium-sized and dignified, typically devoted to their family but reserved with strangers.

Chow Chows are medium-sized but heavily built. Most adults stand about 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder and weigh roughly 45 to 70 pounds, with males usually larger. Their thick coat makes them look bigger than they are. Some Chow Chows fall outside these ranges, so an adult dog's actual measurements are the best guide.

Chow Chows typically live about 8 to 13 years. A UK study of veterinary records found a life expectancy around 12 years, while the AKC lists 8 to 12. Joint, eye and skin problems can affect quality of life as they age, so keeping a Chow lean and catching issues early helps support a longer life.

Chow Chows were bred as all-purpose dogs in northern China. They hunted game birds and other animals, guarded homes and property, herded, and pulled carts or sleds. Historical accounts also describe them being raised for fur and meat. Today they are mostly companions, but their guarding instincts and independence remain strong.

A Chow Chow is a square, sturdy dog with a large head, small erect ears, deep-set almond eyes and a scowling expression. It has a blue-black tongue, straight hind legs that give a stilted walk, and a tail curled over the back. The coat is either rough with a thick ruff or smooth, in red, black, blue, cinnamon or cream.

Chow Chows are not inherently dangerous, but they are strong, protective dogs that can bite if they feel threatened, crowded or startled. Some insurers place them on higher-risk lists. Many problems stem from poor socialization or rough handling. A well-socialized Chow in a calm home with clear routines is usually reserved rather than aggressive.

Chow Chows can be very good dogs for the right owner. Many are loyal, clean, quiet and easy to house-train, and they often bond deeply with their people. They are not ideal for everyone: they tend to be aloof with strangers, independent in training and need regular grooming. People who respect a dog's space often enjoy them most.

Chow Chows can be good family dogs in calm households, particularly with adults or older children who understand respectful handling. They are usually less tolerant of grabbing, hugging and noisy play than many breeds. Supervise them around kids and visitors.

The name Chow Chow is usually traced to pidgin English used by British traders, where chow chow referred to assorted goods or curios brought from China. The dogs arrived in Britain among that cargo in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and the label stuck. In China, the breed is often called songshi quan, meaning puffy-lion dog.

Chow Chows come from northern China, where they have been kept for many centuries as working and guard dogs. DNA studies place the breed among the most ancient dog lineages, related to other spitz-type dogs. British traders brought Chows to England in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1903.

Yes, Chow Chows are intelligent, but their intelligence comes with independence. They learn routines quickly and are often easy to house-train, yet they may decline commands they see no reason to follow. Short, calm, reward-based sessions work better than repetition or harsh corrections. Ranking lists that place Chows low tend to measure obedience, not problem-solving.

The Chow Chow is usually considered a medium to medium-large dog rather than a large breed. Most stand 17 to 20 inches and weigh about 45 to 70 pounds, but heavy bone and a thick coat make them look bigger. For food and gear, they often sit at the boundary between medium and large categories.

No recognized miniature Chow Chow exists. Dogs advertised as mini Chows are usually unusually small Chows, mixes with smaller spitz breeds, or puppies marketed by size. Smaller size does not change the breed's temperament or grooming needs. If you want a smaller Chow-like dog, look at adult mixes in shelters whose size is already known.

There is one Chow Chow breed with two coat types. The rough coat is long, dense and offstanding, with a full ruff around the head, while the smooth coat is shorter and harder with no obvious ruff. Both are double coated. Chows come in five colors: red, black, blue, cinnamon and cream.

No, black Chow Chows are not rare. Black is one of the five standard colors and is common, though red is generally the most frequently seen. Blue, cinnamon and cream are less common. Color has no bearing on temperament or health, so an adopter can focus on the individual dog's personality and needs.

No, Chow Chows are not related to bears. Their bear-like look comes from a dense coat, small rounded ears, a broad head and straight hind legs that give a stiff, rolling walk. The blue-black tongue is also unrelated to bears. Genetically, Chows are fully dogs, descended from ancient spitz-type lineages in China.

Yes, Chow Chows generally do well in winter. Their thick double coat insulates them against cold, and many enjoy chilly weather. They need shelter from wind and wet conditions like any dog, and they still belong indoors with their family. Heat is the bigger concern, because the same coat makes them prone to overheating in summer.

There is no reliable measurement of a Chow Chow's top speed. The breed standard notes that Chows are somewhat lacking in speed because of their straight hind legs, but have good endurance. Most can manage short bursts, yet they are built for steady movement rather than sprinting, and many prefer leisurely walks.

No reliable worldwide count of Chow Chows exists. Registries record only pedigreed dogs, and in the United States the AKC has registered thousands each year, though the breed is far less popular than at its peak in the 1980s. Many more Chows and Chow mixes live as unregistered pets and appear in shelters.

The Chow Chow is one of the oldest dog breeds. Genetic studies place it among the most ancient dog lineages, and Chinese art from roughly two thousand years ago shows similar dogs. Exact origins are hard to date, so be cautious of very precise claims, but the breed clearly predates most modern breeds by many centuries.