The famous “bear dog” has its obscure origins in China about 2000 years ago! Well, we are talking about the Chow Chow dog, one of the few animals in the world that have a blue tongue. Although it looks cute and docile, this dog has a strong personality!

That is, if you are thinking of acquiring a specimen of the breed, it is important to keep in mind that you may have a rather stubborn animal at home. So, read on and see all the characteristics and behavior of the Chow Chow dog so you don't get caught by surprise later! Check out more below!

First, it is worth noting that the Chow Chow dog is one of the oldest dog breeds on record. In this sense, its origins are in China and it is estimated that the breed is more than 2 thousand years old. Incidentally, there are sculptures dating back to before Christ in which these animals appear!

Generally speaking, the breed emerged as a guard dog at the time and, due to its strength and robust body, it was even used as a draft animal. Unfortunately, the Chow Chow also hides a sad past, as its meat was sold as a delicacy and many coveted its soft skin, especially the nobility.

However, the breed only followed in China until the end of the 18th century, when it migrated to England by boat. Soon, he became popular due to his distinctive appearance, in addition, of course, to his blue tongue. It was only in the 20th century that Chow Chow won the world, being recognized in the United States in the mid-1900s.

In addition, according to breed standards, its coat is abundant and commonly found in caramel color. However, there are white, beige, black and reddish specimens. Incidentally, its dense hair ends up preventing the breed from getting used to a climate as hot as ours, which is why it adapts better in colder countries.

The muzzle of this dog is wide, somewhat flattened and its ears are triangular and well set. In fact, its expression has folds of skin and fur that make the animal look like a bear. But make no mistake, the posture of a Chow Chow is imposing and this is a very reserved dog.

As we already mentioned, the Chow Chow dog is an animal that hardly adapts to Brazil due to the hot and humid climate. However, the breed is popular and desired for its cute and exotic appearance at the same time. So, if you want to acquire a puppy of the breed, it's important to start researching a good kennel or breeder to find a healthy puppy.

In that sense, a Chow Chow puppy is usually sold for R$3,000.00 or more. Therefore, avoid establishments where the price is too far from this average, as you could end up funding clandestine kennels where breed standards are not maintained. That's why it's important to check reviews and recommendations from previous customers.

In addition, it is also interesting to visit the kennel and meet the parents and ancestors of the puppy you are going to acquire. This way, you can be sure that the bloodline is healthy and does not have any hereditary health problems. So keep an eye out!

First of all, the structure of a Chow Chow dog is quite strong and imposing, which is why the breed was widely used as a guard and draft dog. In this way, its body does not only have a rich coat, but also dense musculature, wide hips and an average height of 50 centimeters at the withers.

By the way, this dog has a medium size, but due to its massive and strong body, its weight can reach 30 kg! In addition, it is important to maintain a healthy diet so that the hair is beautiful and shiny. So talk to a trusted veterinarian and keep routine exams up to date.

It is worth remembering that the breed can also present dermatitis or fungal problems if its hair is not well cared for. In addition, another very common Chow Chow disease is hip dysplasia, a hip joint problem that can cause pain and difficulty walking. Overall, this pet has a good life expectancy, on average 13 years.

Well, if you want to acquire a pet of this breed, remember that the Chow Chow is an independent and reserved dog. That is, don't be surprised if he doesn't welcome you with jumps and barks when you get home. By the way, an important feature of his personality is that he is indifferent to affection.

But don't worry, that doesn't mean he doesn't like being cuddled. In fact, this dog needs to be socialized from a young age so that it does not become an aggressive and suspicious animal when it is an adult. However, this is a patient and quiet dog and likes to lie still.

In this way, do not worry about daily or intense physical exercises, as the Chow Chow dog does not like to get tired very much. In addition, he is a protective, loyal dog and can be an excellent family guard dog, although he does not tend to bark much. However, if it feels threatened, it will assume a more aggressive role.

In this sense, this animal may have a dominant personality, making it difficult to follow orders. So, it's interesting to think about training him early in life to avoid problems in this regard.

Finally, it is also important to take care of their fur by maintaining a frequent brushing routine. Furthermore, if you need to bathe him, it is imperative that his coat is completely dry to avoid fungus and allergies. In that sense, you can think about grooming every 6 months to relieve your pet's heat.

So, do you like dog breeds that are exotic? Because you need to meet the Boykin Spaniel! This curly-coated dog has a docile personality that delights any dog-loving human. Access our content below and check out everything you need to know about it!