The Chow Chow breed is one of the oldest in the world. And although myths say that it was descended from bears, research claims that these dogs are representatives of primitive breeds that began their evolution from the wolf.
History of the breed
The Chow Chow breed belongs to the Spitz group. There is an opinion that the Tibetan mastiffs also took part in its formation.
The birthplace of the breed is China and North Korea. Chow-chow breeding was carried out by Buddhist monks living in monasteries in Tibet and Northern China. They kept the blood clean and prevented degeneration. Their dogs were intended primarily for the supervision and protection of the monastery and its inhabitants; they were also used to guard livestock, occasionally as hunting dogs.
In some parts of China, there were specialized restaurants that served dog meat as a regular dish. But contrary to popular belief, purebred Chow Chows were not used for such purposes, but only their crosses. Mongrels were not only eaten, but also for the purpose of healing. The Chinese believed that eating a certain part of a dog's body could heal one or another organ of its body.
In addition, the Chow Chow was bred for the purpose of obtaining fur. For this, there were huge dog farms. Once the animal reached 19 months of age, it was euthanized by strangulation.
In the middle of the 19th century, the Chow Chow breed was brought to England, where almost immediately its admirers were found, who began to form clubs and engage in breeding and selling puppies. The selection of the British changed the original appearance quite strongly - the paws of the dogs became shorter, the coat was thicker. Today the Chow Chow is kept in the overwhelming majority of cases as an ornamental animal, although it is quite capable of coping with its original functions.
External features
Lush hair, wide-set eyes, giving the dog a smart expression, blue tongue - this is what many dog breeders love the Chow-Chow breed for. In addition to these characteristic features, members of the species are also distinguished by a massive skull, a powerful muscular physique, a short neck, small thick ears, and dark brown medium-sized eyes. The growth of an average dog is about 60 cm.
Chow Chow dog personality
Representatives of the Chow Chow breed are distinguished by their friendliness, calm disposition, and even some phlegmatism. Affectionate, loyal creatures can fight back strangers who dare to attack.
In the entire history of observing the breed, not a single case of an unprovoked attack by a Chow-Chow dog on children has been identified, but there are a lot of cases when they acted as rescuers and nannies when their parents were not around.
Despite the fact that Chow Chows are quite intelligent dogs, it will be very difficult to teach them even the simplest commands.
The average lifespan of this breed is 10-12 years.
