Chow Chow

Feed a high-quality diet matched to your dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior. Chows can run slightly overweight, and their heavy coats hide the extra pounds, so measure meals, limit treats, and skip table scraps and high-fat foods. The feeding guidance on the packaging is a good starting point, and your vet can tailor amounts to your dog's health and lifestyle.

Because Chows can be prone to bloat and GDV around mealtimes, a few habits help:

• Feed several smaller meals rather than one large one (adults at least twice a day, puppies three or four times)
• Avoid exercise right before or after eating
• Skip elevated food bowls, which are thought to raise bloat risk
• Use a slow-feeder bowl to slow a fast eater down

A complete, balanced diet that meets established nutritional standards provides the nutrients a healthy dog needs. Chows can be predisposed to coat and joint issues, so ask your vet about supplements; joint supplements with chondroitin and glucosamine support healthy joints, and omega fatty acids such as fish oil have anti-inflammatory properties. Check your dog's skin regularly for irritation, since some dogs react to certain treats or formula changes.

Both the rough- and smooth-coated Chow carry a profuse double coat that needs regular grooming. Brush thoroughly at least twice a week to remove dead hair and control shedding, and bathe about once a month to keep the skin and coat healthy. The thick coat sheds moderately year-round and more heavily in spring and fall, so frequent brushing is a must. Chows are fastidious and carry little odor, often compared to cats, but they are not considered hypoallergenic.

Spend extra time on the fur around the head, which mats badly if neglected; work out all mats and comb through the undercoat. Use a quality dog shampoo (never human shampoo), and dry the coat thoroughly afterward with a cool-setting air dryer.

Include eye and ear care in every grooming session and trim the nails regularly. The Chow's erect ears are less prone to infection than floppy ears, but after a bath or swim a self-drying ear cleaner helps remove water from the canal. Long facial hair can reach the eye and cause irritation, so a professional groomer can help keep those hairs trimmed; watch the eyes for squinting, discharge, or swelling and see a vet if anything changes. Brush the teeth regularly.

The Chow Chow is active and alert but has modest exercise needs. Daily walks plus games of fetch or moderate play with toys are usually enough to tire one out. A moderate-paced walk four or more times a day meets the breed's exercise needs.

Keep rough, high-impact play to a minimum. The breed does not tolerate high heat or humidity well and is not suited to vigorous activity, so avoid exercise during the hot parts of the day. In cold weather, these well-insulated dogs may turn extra playful. As long as a Chow gets short bouts of activity regularly, it adjusts well to apartment living.

If you are buying a puppy, make sure the parent dogs have been screened for hip, thyroid, knee, and eye problems, with results recorded in the relevant health-screening registries. When adopting from a rescue or shelter such records are unlikely, so ask for any available health information, and have a new dog examined by a vet within the first two weeks home.

Early socialization and puppy classes help a Chow grow into a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion. The breed is intelligent but strong-willed and can be stubborn, which makes it a poor match for first-time pet parents. The same independent nature that makes Chows good guard dogs can also make them harder to train.

Patience and positive, consistent reinforcement are the keys. Use praise, treats, and regular practice, and avoid harsh or overly forceful methods, which erode trust and prompt the breed to rebel. Be firm but fair.

With diligent socialization and training, Chows can be good family dogs and tend to do better with older children. Consistent obedience work can turn an aloof, overprotective Chow into a loyal, safe household companion, though it likes its space and leans independent rather than cuddly.