Chow Chow is a breed of dog originating from Mongolia and Northern China, where it is referred to as Songshi Quan, which literally means "puffy-lion dog." It is believed that the Chow Chow is one of the native dogs used as the model for the Foo dog, the traditional stone guardians found in front of Buddhist temples and palaces.
Appearance
The Chow Chow is a stocky dog with broad skull and small, rounded ears. The breed has a very dense coat that is either smooth or rough. The fur is particularly thick around the neck, giving the distinctive ruff or mane. The coat may be one of several colors including reddish-brown (described as "red"), black, blue, cinnamon, and cream. Not all these color varieties are recognized as valid in all countries. Individuals with patchy or multicolored coats are considered to be outside the breed standard. Chow Chows are distinguished by their unusual blue-black/purple tongue and very straight hind legs, resulting in a rather stilted gait. The blue-black/purple tongue gene appears to be dominant, as almost all mixed breed dogs who come from a Chow Chow retain the tongue color.
Temperament
While commonly kept as a companion dog, the Chow Chow has a reputation for being a willful and independent breed that is sometimes difficult to train. They may be very aloof and wary of strangers. They often do not get along well with other dogs unless properly socialized. Chow Chows are extremely loyal to their own family, though they may be less friendly to strangers. The typical Chow Chow's behavior is commonly thought to be more similar to a domestic cat rather than a domestic dog.