Can chows jump? Or is it harder for them because of their ..

kitkatbahr · Post by **kitkatbahr** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:22 am

Hi,

Weird question here. I have a chow/lab mix puppy who is now 15 weeks old (tomorrow). He loves to get up on the bed with me. When he was smaller, I would lift him up and he would lay with me, no problem. Then I would put him down. Now, he is 25 lbs and could easily jump up on the bed. He has tried, even a running jump, but doesn't seem to be able to propel himself well with his back legs.So, he doesn't make it. I am still lifting him up. He gets down with no problem. My 2 yr old gsd spends time on the bed all day and I remember when he was a puppy (got him at 7 weeks old) it wasn't long before he was jumping on the bed with no problem. I don't remember exactly how old he was, but seems like it was before 4 months old.

Coal,my chow/lab puppy loves to climb though. If there are boxes, etc. on the floor, he will find a way to climb up them to get where he wants to go. If there is stuff on the floor next to the bed, he can climb the "mountain" and get up on the bed. He just can't seem to jump. He looks very much like a lab puppy but has the Chow curl in his lab looking tail, and the straight back legs of a chow. I thought maybe it had something to do with his back legs? I have never had a chow before so I don't know if this is a trait they share, not being able to jump much. Or is he still just too young? His head is level with the top of the bed so I believe he "should" be able to jump up.

Just for FYI, he is very healthy and has been to the vet several times for shots, etc. He goes again next week for rabies shot/final vacs.

Thanks!
Kathy Bahr
Merritt Island, FL

Here are some pics of him. Most recent was a month ago! I need to pull out the camera and take some more current ones. He's growing soooo fast! LOL

This is Coal at 7 1/2 weeks. See the chow back legs?
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Here he is at 11 weeks on his first boat ride
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Close up of him 11 weeks old
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precious's mom · Post by **precious's mom** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:33 am

Hi! First of all, I have to comment again on what a cute boy you have. Precious and Naomi both saw him and said he is sooo cute - it would embarrass them if they knew I told you that

Well, Precious, full chow, never really had a problem jumping or jumping up on things, but to be honest, I cannot recall at what age she started being able to jump up on the furniture or my bed. So, I know I am not much help there.

Naomi is now 13 weeks old (or so) and if she was allowed to, she'd be up on everything. (Hubby doesn't allow the doggies on furniture - but if it were up to me, they'd be on it with me.) Uh, Naomi was first able to jump up on the couch (not consistantly mind you) at about 11 weeks. But it was sporadic (meaning I only even tried with with her when hubby wasn't home. And even then it would take her a running start and couldn't always get up.) Let's see, our bed, she can't jump up on that yet, but our bed is pretty high up. Standing up, she can barely see the top of the bed.

I wouldn't worry about it too much, but continue working with him if you want him to be able to jump up there on his own. I am assuming that their legs muscles have to be worked on to be built up just like people's? Someone please correct me if I am giving poor advice here.

TJordan · Post by **TJordan** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:18 am

Interesting question. Here is what I have found. Butters has always had very strong hind legs. He use to stand for 20-30 minutes at a time on them looking outside when he was a pup. Now he is full grown, and can't quite make big jumps, Unless he really wants to!! His seems to be more of a mood than lack of power. He pretends he can't make it into the car (low to the ground), then I turn around and he is trying to climb a tree. Mood.

chowfrnd88 · Post by **chowfrnd88** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:42 pm

I also have to comment again that your little puppy is just so cute!

Special loves to jump for the most part, but he also has to be in the mood. He'll jump on the bed, he'll jump outside, he jumps up in teh air out of happiness and he jumps for toys, but if he's tired he does have a harder time of even jumping up on the bed.

Victory · Post by **Victory** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:53 pm

Beds I think are not a good indicator of wether or not a chow, (or any dog), can jump, there is a pyschological factor to being on a bed in the canine mind. Being higher up is a sign of dominance and if your GSD is already there, the puppy is "correctly" interrperting that as a dominant posistion, now when you as the alpha raise him up there, it is exceptable even if the GSD is already there. At his age he should be able to go up stairs, jump onto low walls, about 18" etc. If he's having problems doing this, you should have the Vet begin to check his hips. I say begin because at his age you aren't going to be able to see too many problems even with x-rays but you could see the potential for problems and begin to discuss it.

Like I said in an early post both my chows can jump four feet walls or furniture without any effort at all, they climb stairs, (a bit steep and narrow) everyday for walks, (do better than I do). But even though they can jump on the bed, it's not allowed so they don't.

and like everyone said your puppy is adorable, so is your sister's.

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 1:09 pm

CHOW:

Faster than a speeding Squirrel.
More powerful than a locomotive.
Able to leap tall Fences in a single bound.

Look! Walking thru the Park!
It's a Bear. It's a Lion. It's a Chow

Yes, it's a Chow - strange visitor from China who came to America with powers and abilities far beyond those of Dogs. SuperChow - who can change the course of mighty Cats, bend steel with his mouth and bare Paw's, and who, disguised as a Dog, mild mannered Pet for Households, fights the never ending battle for Truth, Justice and the Proper training of Chows all over..

We covered the Jumping ability in the Thread How High, Take a Look in there.

AngelsMom · Post by **AngelsMom** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 1:43 pm

Angel is a good jumper, too. She always hops over puddles outside... She doesn't seem to like getting her paws wet. She also hops from the linoleum over the hardwood floor to the rug and then on to the couch with no problem. Maybe he's getting a little lazy because he knows you'll pick him up!!?

Cute, though!

threedogjeep · Post by **threedogjeep** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 2:10 pm

I am sorry to say that my Leela has hip dysplasia and cannot even jump onto the couch

WildThings · Post by **WildThings** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 2:53 pm

When Tess was a little younger, she would jump straight in the air a few feet from a standstill. She doesn't anymore, partially because she has put on weight (although she would rather not discuss her new exercise program to help slim her back down), but she is getting older, not that it stops her from jumping on and off the couch. I don't want her to hurt herself jumping like she used to, but she still can.

Post by **chris** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 3:53 pm

Jeff&Peks wrote:CHOW:

Faster than a speeding Squirrel.
More powerful than a locomotive.
Able to leap tall Fences in a single bound.

Look! Walking thru the Park!
It's a Bear. It's a Lion. It's a Chow

Yes, it's a Chow - strange visitor from China who came to America with powers and abilities far beyond those of Dogs. SuperChow - who can change the course of mighty Cats, bend steel with his mouth and bare Paw's, and who, disguised as a Dog, mild mannered Pet for Households, fights the never ending battle for Truth, Justice and the Proper training of Chows all over..

Steel here... if that is Pekoe, I want to recruit her for special Ops in the chowilatary...

chow for now..

Layla · Post by **Layla** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 5:20 pm

Millie managed to jump over the baby gate that we used to pen her in when she was about 4 months old. She had an e-collar on at the time, didn't stop her

However, if she thinks that I will lift her over something, she will happily let me do the work! She has very strong back legs and will dance around on them when we come home

Post by **kingalls** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:12 pm

Shiloh is a Chow/Keeshond mix (just guessing on the Keeshond part) and she jumps and spins around like a Keeshond. Mr. N is full Chow and he has a vertical leap of about 2 feet. I wish he wouldn't do it but when I get home and he sees me thru the sliding glass door - he jumps straight up - about 2 or 3 times - depends on how fast I can get out there.

cheriekynb · Post by **cheriekynb** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:29 pm

Sid has to be the most SPOILED Chow! When he was little I carried him everywhere! Sometimes I still think he would rather be carried but at 9 months old and pushing 60 pounds, it's just NOT an option! I drive a Jeep Wrangler and he won't even try to jump into it. He loves going for rides and will jump out of the Jeep but I have to pick him up to get him IN the Jeep. Lazy? Spoiled? OR just too high?? LOL..
He's a funny, funny Chowling but I love him to pieces.