| Alternative Name The Dog with the Black
Tongue
Basic Info
Chow, is a breed of dog originating from China, where
it is referred to as Songshi Quan, which literally means
"puffy-lion dog". The breed has also been called the
Tang Quan, "Dog of the Tang Empire". They are 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 colours including reddish-brown (described as
"red"), black, blue, cinnamon, and cream. Not all these
colour varieties are recognized as valid in all
countries. Individuals with patchy or parti-coloured
coats are considered to be outside the breed standard.
They are unusual in having a blue-black tongue and very
straight hind legs that result in a rather stilted gait.
Health
Like many heavy-set dogs, they may be prone to hip
dysplasia. They may also be susceptible to entropion, an
eye irritation caused by an eyelid abnormality. Their
average lifespan is about 15 years.
Behavior
While now commonly kept as a companion dog, they have
a reputation for being a willful and independent breed
that is sometimes difficult to train. They can be very
aloof and wary of strangers. They often do not get along
well with other dogs.
Origin
China
History
Chow is a unique type of dog, thought to be one of
the oldest recognizable breeds. A bas-relief from 150 BC
(during the Han Dynasty) includes a hunting dog similar
in appearance. Recent DNA analysis confirms that this is
one of the oldest breeds of dog.[1] They were originally
bred as a general-purpose working dog for herding,
hunting, guarding and for eating its meat.
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