Chow Chow Dogs for Adoption in Kittanning, PA

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.

The only proof that a Chow Chow is purebred is registration papers or a documented pedigree. Breed traits such as a blue-black tongue, straight hind legs, small erect ears and a scowling face are strong clues, but mixes can share them. DNA breed tests can estimate ancestry. For adopters, temperament and health matter far more than papers.

Many Chow Chows are sweet with the people they know, offering quiet affection, leaning against their owners or following them from room to room. They tend to show it in a reserved, cat-like way rather than through constant cuddling. With strangers they are usually aloof, so a Chow's sweetness is often reserved for its family.

Chow Chows are known for their blue-black tongue, lion-like ruff, scowling expression and stiff, stilted walk. They are also known for an independent, dignified personality, loyalty to family and aloofness toward strangers. Their cleanliness and quiet indoor manners, along with their heavy shedding, are other traits owners often mention.

Chow Chows were used to hunt game in China, including birds such as pheasants and quail as well as other small game, working by scent and sight. Accounts also describe them guarding and tracking. Many Chows today retain a prey drive, so cats and small pets should be introduced carefully and outdoor time kept secure.

Chow Chows look cute largely because of their fluffy, teddy-bear coat, round face, small ears and compact, sturdy body, features people often find appealing. Puppies especially resemble plush toys. That appearance can be misleading, though, because Chows tend to dislike being squeezed or fussed over, so admire them respectfully.