2. Chow

The Chow has a long and somewhat spotted history, according to the Chow Chow Club, Inc. Some historians of this breed say it was descended from Arctic animals that migrated to Mongolia, China and Siberia. Others believe Chows came much later, around the 7th Century – the time of the T’ang Dynasty in China.

It’s rumored that a single Chinese emperor of the time kept 2,500 Chows as hunting dogs for his army of 10,000 hunters. The name “Chow” itself, means “Puffy Lion Dog” in Chinese, and that’s part of the amazing appeal of this dignified breed.

The coat of a chow is the first thing you notice. He can, indeed, bear resemblance to a lion – a small, wrinkly one, at least. He boasts a double-coat made up of both an undercoat and a topcoat that grows particularly thick and luxurious around his neck, hence the lion reference.

According to The Rare Breed Network, some believe that Chows contributed to the appearance of the Asian Foo Dogs – sacred dogs whose statues guard the Buddhist temples. Whether the migrating dogs inter-bred with European hunting dogs of the day, or if the Foo Dogs are actually a missing link in the chain that connects the Chow and the Chinese Wolf remains a topic of debate, even today.

Regardless of which theory you believe, one common thread runs true – Chows are popular little dogs, and they have been for quite some time.

A Chow is actually classified as a medium-sized dog by the AKC, reaching upwards of 70lbs. His bushy coat, interesting history and blue-black tongue make him unique to dog-owners who are looking for something “different.”
They’re dignified little dogs, despite their built-in scowl and wrinkles.

When bred well and raised properly, chows tend to be intelligent, independent animals. Although this breed has gotten a bad rap for being aggressive, this is not the norm. Usually a Chow only turns aggressive when reared under duress.

A Chow is a devoted, one-owner dog and is probably not the best pick for families with small children who want a playful puppy. If you decide to take on ownership of a Chow, it’s absolutely vital that you socialize your pup, as pups who are left to themselves can develop a bad temperament.

For those who are interested, a well-bred chow pup costs about $1,000 – still not a lot compared with pups to come.