The Chow Mix dog is a breed known for its unique and ancient lineage, originating from China. It is celebrated for its striking appearance, which often resembles that of a lion. One of its most distinguishing features is its blue-black tongue, leading to various nicknames such as the black-tongue dog, wolf dog, and bear dog, reflecting its thick, luxurious coat.
History of Chow Mix dog
The history of the Chow Mix dog is a testament to its enduring legacy, stretching back thousands of years. Genetic testing has confirmed its status as one of the oldest breeds, with its roots in Mongolia and Northern China, before embarking on a southward migration with the tribes.
In the late 18th century, they were given the name “Chow Chow” because it refers to miscellaneous things such as dogs. This name stuck, and eventually, they were known as Chow Chow Dogs.
Overview
Initially, Chow Chow dogs were used as working dogs, such as in hunting, guarding, and pulling carts, but today, we just think of them as cute, fluffy family dogs. Their appearance resembles lions, and their thick double coat makes them look like bears.
A Chow Mix dog may be alert and shy around strangers, but don’t worry—this is nothing early socialization can’t fix. They may give the impression that they are not friendly, but once you train and socialize with them, they are extremely loyal and protective of their families.
From their looks, they look fluffy and cute, but you can rely on them to guard your home; they are excellent watchdogs who are always on alert for anything and ready for any danger. Although they give the looks, this breed is not very cuddly or affectionate but forms strong bonds with their owners and children.
Appearance
Size
The size of the Chow Mix dog is described below:
Male Chow Mix dog :
Height: 48 to 56 cm
Weight: 25 to 32 kg
Female Chow Mix dog :
Height: 46 to 51 cm
Weight: 20 to 27 kg
Looks
A Chow Mix dog has the looks of a lion: a large head covered with a lot of hair, round, deep-set eyes, a pushed-up nose, and a unique blue-black tongue. The dog’s walk may appear stiff or choppy, as it is not a speedy dog.
Coat
The coat of a Chow Mix dog is double and thick and comes in various colors, such as red, black, cinnamon, and cream. These medium-sized dogs have fluffy coats that make them look like bears, and their coats can be rough or smooth.
Personality and Temperament
Reserved and Independent
The personality of a Chow Mix dog is just like that of a cat. This breed is aloof, reserved, independent, dignified, and stubborn. You can’t force him to do anything he doesn’t like. He is not friendly to strangers and wants to keep his distance, just like a cat. He likes to be independent and keep everything to himself.
Stubborn by Nature
It is in the nature of Chow Mix dog to be somewhat reserved and independent. They may appear aloof and even stubborn at times. However, with early socialization and obedience training, these traits can be managed. Starting with short, consistent commands, you can help your Chow Mix dog understand its role in the family and become a loyal, loving companion.
Aggressive around Strangers
They are not very big fans of strangers and see them as a challenge if their owners do not properly introduce them. They are good watchdogs, as they tend to alert their owners as soon as they sense any danger. Otherwise, they are very friendly and loving towards their owners.
Health and Diet
Chow Mix dog is generally a healthy breed, but as all dogs are prone to health diseases, some of the health problems that may affect your dog’s life are described below:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is an inherited disorder characterized by improper hip joint development. It may result in discomfort and diminished movement.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a hereditary condition that impacts the elbow joint, similar to hip dysplasia. It may result in joint pain and disability.
Entropion
Entropion, a condition in which the eyelids roll inward, can complicate Chow Chows and result in ocular irritation and discomfort.
Cataracts
Chow Chows are susceptible to cataract development, which may impair their vision.
Bloat
Like many other deep-chested breeds, Chow Chows are susceptible to bloat, a potentially fatal illness in which the stomach twists on itself due to gas buildup.
Allergies
Ear infections, skin irritations, and itching can result from this breed’s prevalent food sensitivities and allergies.
Food Requirements
You can prevent many diseases and keep your dog healthy by feeding him good food; this is one of the best ways to help your dog lead a healthy life. You need to give your dog food that is perfectly balanced, full of supplements and fulfills your dog’s nutritional deficiencies.
While feeding him, remember that there is a certain limit of dry food that you can give your dog in a day. Feeding him more than he needs will result in obesity, which can also make your Chow Mix dog slow and prone to many other diseases.
This medium-to-large breed is prone to hip dysplasia, so you don’t want it to suffer. Also, buy the best dry food for your dog, and keep his food from cheap stores; it causes many kidney and liver disorders.
How much food you should give your dog in a day depends on factors such as metabolism, size, and age. If you have a medium or large dog, like a Chow Chow Mix, give him two to three big meals or three small meals a day.
Grooming and Care
A Chow Mix dog may have a rough or smooth coat. The rough type of coat, which is very common, is very thick and bountiful. The outer coat may be rough, but the coat underneath is very soft and thick, wooly and fluffy like a bear. Even the tail is full of fur.
On the other hand, we have a smooth-coated Chow Mix dog whose underneath coat is the same as the outer coat, soft and wooly without any roughness. If you don’t want their fur all over your clothes, bed, and sofas, you need to brush their coat daily to prevent it from matting or tangling.
Regular brushing helps regulate the blood and the skin’s natural oils and prevents bad odor. You need to pay extra attention during shedding seasons, especially in spring and autumn. You need to frequently bathe your dog to clean his coat, and certain drying techniques make your dog’s coat look beautiful.
For his hygiene care, you need to follow these:
• Bath only once a month, as frequent bathing can rip off the skin’s natural oils.
• Trim his nails every week.
• Clean his ears regularly and check for any infection.
• Daily clean his eye boogers with a cotton pad.
• Brush his teeth daily to prevent gum infections.
Training and Exercise
Living Situation
They don’t have certain conditions that you need to follow when you adopt them. They can live in a grand palace or a comfortable apartment. But you can’t just leave them in a yard or any outside area. They are very sensitive and need human attention. Also, they can not survive in hot weather.
Early Socialization
One thing you need to remember after adopting a dog is to train him at an early age. If you wait for the right time, you will not be able to train him at all, and he will start misbehaving.
One of the first things you need to teach him is early socialization. You can begin the training by slowly making him experience different people and environments. This helps make your dog an all-rounder. He will not be shy around other people and will be comfortable with them.
Also, take him on a walk with a leash to make him meet the neighbors and get to know them.
Dog Sports
You can play different sports with your dog. This way, your dog can fulfill his daily exercise quota and also spend time with you, killing two birds with one stone.
Dog sports like walking, jogging, hiking, and fetch help keep dogs busy and fulfill their exercise requirements.
Home-training
It is essential for you to train your Chow Mix dog, as he can be aggressive and shy around strangers. For this, crate training is highly recommended. You need to remember that you don’t want to give your dog an impression of punishment by using a crate.
Intelligent and Smart
This breed is very smart and intelligent. It is quick to pick up on things or understand commands. You can train it to play many tricks and behave well. You need to earn their respect and confidence by using treats as positive reinforcement. Make sure you don’t punish them because it will only encourage their stubborn side.
Final Words
The Chow Mix dog is known for having fur like a bear, a face like a lion, an attitude like a cat, and the loyalty of a dog. They like being independent and dignified; it is in their nature. They may not be as affectionate as many other dog breeds, but they are typically good.
They are very protective of their territory and are not big fans of strangers. They may even act aggressively towards them, so if you have a guest, you need to introduce him to your dog so it does not attack him. A Chow Mix dog may not show affection, but he is very loyal to his favorite person.
Q&A
1. What is a quick fun fact about Chow Mix dogs?
Many people don’t realize that the Chow Chow Mix is one of the cleanest dog breeds. They have a pleasant odor, similar to that of cats. Although their long coats can make grooming challenging, these dogs generally prefer to be neat and clean.
2. What is the temperament of the Chow Mix dog?
The Chow Chow Mix is known for being independent, which can make them challenging to train. If not properly socialized and trained from an early age, they may develop behavioral issues, including aggression and excessive barking.
3. How do you groom your Chow Mix dog?
The Chow Mix has a long, double coat that requires regular brushing. Frequent bathing is also important, and using specific drying techniques can help maintain a beautiful coat.
