While I would give that there are decent chows out there I think a prime problem with many is that they are gotten as cute little teddy bear dogs that, as was stated, have few puppy issues. So then they don't get structure or training and by they time I see them for boarding or grooming the owner has no control over them and just says....oh yeah, you might have to muzzle them.

Then they are a bite waiting to happen.
Heck, I have a couple to groom that are fine.They are owned by experienced people that work with them.
I also have a couple that I can't even walk into the room without being lunged at. Likewise you can not put yourself into a 4X6 kennel run with one without being bitten. I am happy to give a dog a wide berth. I have had Chows that took that space and attacked me anyway. Then I have to literally use a noose pole to be safe...I have a pole that is well chewed by a couple of chow clients (and one malamute) and all I do is keep it between me and them.

I *really* hate to be a guy that generalizes about dog breeds. I worked for a vet clinic for years, now own a pet shop and train dogs, and find that every breed is still a dog! I wish I could avoid following this up with the obligatory "But..."

But to be perfectly honest, I have to "But..." if speaking about my experiences with chows. And I have add that I am always learning (and making mistakes) with training; I'm no pro. Some dogs (such as the retired greyhound I tried to work with), were simply beyond my ability level. And my own English bulldog isn't always the most cooperative subject, yet is terribly sensitive to corrections. I've put some training hours in over the years, but I'll be the first to say that I have a lot to learn.

My experience with chows has been less pleasant than any other breed. Not that *more* chows have exhibited this or that, just a disproportionate number of them have exhibited unwarranted human aggression. Many of these were probably bought by novice owners because of the teddy-bear puppy factor, and that is no fault of the dog. One that I knew personally though, attacked its owner at least three times, and he is a very competent owner who had some the best trained GSDs I've been around, and a schnauzer that he could have charged admission to watch all the "tricks" she would do. There is no doubt in my mind, he got a "bad egg" and the dog was simply unstable. I doubt he'll ever get another Chow, though. He put the dog down after his son was born, and having been around the animal, it was a sad, no-brainer choice. The most unexpected bite I've sustained since opening my business was from a chow. That wouldn't mean too much, but the profile fit the experiences I saw/had at the vet clinic and explanations my friend shared to a tee. No warning, and I SO wish I had the incident recorded to share and see if I missed something. But if there was an indication, it took a split-second. That dog went from affection to champing in the direction of my face in an instant.

There is no doubt in my mind that a chow can encompass every wonderful trait that dogs have to offer. And no doubt, if I met Rob's beautiful dogs, I would absolutely love them! I'm sure part of the stereotype has to do with this breed winding up in the wrong hands. I tend to also think that the chow is often poorly bred or other factors are at play. I guess it's wishy-washy feedback, but to sum it up: I will always be more hesitant to put my hands on a chow than any other breed that seems happy to see me!

My views on the chow as a breed is they have little to no bite inhibition shown with other dogs. You won't see and nips. Just all out bites.

I know a few chows and I give them a wide berth, they just don't seem friendly in the least, and I agree with not being able read them at all.
I will say that I feel the same about Akitas and Sharpei though, especially sharpei.

I won't touch Akitas, Shar-peis, Chows, or Pits. Or a Tosa if I ever happened to see one, lol

I've never seen a Tosa in person but I wouldn't want to approach or touch it either!

My inlaws were breeders of Chows. My husband was raised around them. Some of the stories I have heard about them make my hair turn white. All I know is the rumors you hear about them are true. But there is always the exception. One was black and one was a dark red.

The black was technically a "Blue" chow. He was the biggest baby in the world, and the dark red was just as much so. But for the most part they are agressive some way or just very reserved.

The are no longer breeding them because my mother in law passed a few years back due to cancer. My father in law is definitly less then kind when dealing with dogs. We will leave that part alone though.

But I wouldnt have them around my girls (But for cookie), and even to this day my husband being just shy of 30 when he sees a chow he gets very watchful of them. He even said you never never know when they will turn either on master or stranger.

They are beautiful dogs and alot of the ones they had were specifically bread for their temperments (nicer temperments). But my inlaws were very selcective on where their dogs were placed.

Side note though my FIL still has a chow in his house. Her name is cookie, she was a resuce and is a full blood chow. She is awesome with my daughters even when they were babies. But if you came near my girls and she didnt know you or was playing "babysitter" gl on getting hear them.

Over all beautiful dogs but my husband I think would divorce me if I brought on home even if it was a mix.

I have never had any problems with sharpeis but akitas is a whole different story.

Mary

Cookie age 10 and lizzie (chihuahua)10 weeks old
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx332/dreamsister4ever/cookie.jpg

Thanks for reporting on your first hand experiences with the Chow, Mary. For me, actual experiences count. Opinions and perceptions based on very little real experience - not so much.

It's interesting about perceptions of Akitas - I've only known three in my lifetime - one of them (an Akita/GSD mix) we just placed in his forever home. The Akita's I've known were extremely stable, tolerant and gentle with children. History has it that mothers in Japan would leave their children home alone in the home with an Akita to watch over them, they were that trusted.

Now, if you were to judge an Akita by his appearance - that's a different matter. It took me awhile to figure out that our guy's ears and eyes just looked that way - he wasn't constantly giving the evil eye to everyone and everything. Once we broke through his dominance barrier, he was an absolute sweetheart and a very special, smart, athletic, social, and even somewhat biddable dog.

Why do we want to talk about Akitas now?

This thread is about Chow Chows and their temperament.

Want to make a new Akita thread?

New topic ...