Why do Chows have such a bad rep?

[Scarlets Mom]

It seems as if every time I hear anything about a Chow its always how unpredictible they are, mean, cannot get along with other dogs, hate strangers and will attack, etc. I have had my girl for 1 1/2 years now and know absolutely nothing about her background, (she was a stray when i found her) but she is the sweetest old soul I have come accross in a long time. She does seem to be a one person dog (lucky for me I'm the one she chose!)and it did take almost a week to assimilate her into the pack. She has never shown any aggression to humans whatsoever and very rarely even grumps at the other dogs. How did their bad rep start?

[newguy18]

I do not know the exact answer either... i think its cause they are sooo stubborn. but i try to spread good things about chows like when someone asks about Jersey i say he is the best dog breed in the world!!! he is about 3/4 chow 1/4 GSD (german shepherd dog(btw))

[jacqui]

I'm not sure how the bad rep started but I know everyone we meet has a horror story about a chow.
I tell them 'I've had 6 chows and they have all been very sweet".some people want to pat them and some people are afraid of them.
I notice that people are more afraid of Kai because hes black

[Coco Chow]

Again, it's probably a U.S. thing because chows don't have a bad reputation in France at all.
And except children coming from Africa who mistake her for a baby lion, nobody is never affraid of Coco!!

[vicster605]

Not sure if this is what started it, but I think or I was told this:?: not sure, but in the US, back in the 70's or 80's ?? Chows became VERY popular and they started breeding them like crazy to keep up with the demand and inbreeding them or whatever which made for some Chows with very bad temperments and of course ignorance of the breed to go with it, so they had some nasty Chows around which in turn caused their nasty rep. I too didn't know anything about this until AFTER I got Kearra and heard NOTHING BUT horror stories when people saw my cute lil' black chowling. The good breeders have tryed their best to breed for temperment to get rid of the bad temperment but the nasty stories are still there. EVERYONE KNOWS SOMEONE THAT WAS ATTACKED BY A CHOW OR BITTEN BY A CHOW.......but MOST have NEVER personally been bitten or attacked LOL!!! Learn to ignor ignorance....these people are not smart enough to be owned by a Chow anyway

[Clockman]

Basically, it has to do with socializing. Any dog that is well socialized with other animals, dogs, humans, should behave well. New situations that are stressful can trigger a reaction in any dog (Emma snapped at - not bit - the first groomer she ever went to, mainly because they did her nails and she had never had that done. Now she's ok.) If they are not used to people or dogs, Chows can attack if they feel endangered. The key is to make sure when they're young that they meet as many people and dogs as possible. Emma was shy and not too social when I got her, but I take her to car shows, have her meet people coming to my workshop, etc. She barks when people enter the yard to let me know they're here, but then she just wants to sniff them and get pats. Also, make sure you're in charge, not them.

[kodibear]

In SC, Chow Chows are on the aggressive dog list. You will not be able to rent an apartment if you are an owner. I have had Kodi for 3 years, and he can be intimidating to strangers who enter the yard. I'm always asked does he bite and my response is he hasn't bit anyone yet, but you could be the first. I always introduce Kodi to any new people and children with caution, because he's a little unpredictable. He is a bundle of energy and loves to play, but as any owner knows, Chows play rough. Their bad reputation comes straight from bad owners. They are stubborn dogs that have their own opinion about what commands they should follow. I have learned to pick and choose my battles with my best buddy, and overall he's a loving loner.

[Brisco]

There must be something to it. If you look at the second post on training you will see that there have been more than 4000
views on bite inhibition. I love the fact that my Chows are good guard dogs and if they weren't I would be disappointed. I always lead people to believe that they are a bit meaner than they are in public. I'll always let them pet them but make sure that they know that it's only O.K. because I'm there as well, it will be alright to pet them. Everyone should research a breed before they choose which one to own. Chows are meant to be protective and aloof of strangers by nature. The problem is that without proper socializing it is quite easy to make them not just protective, but mean, there is a big difference in the two. There are many breeds of dog that I will pet or try to pet even if the owner isn't present, Not a Chow though. I've never met a Rottie, German Sheperd or many other breeds that I couldn't "sweet talk" into letting me have a pat on the head, never a Chow, not if it's protecting it's car or yard etc... I was one of those in the 80's that had a mean Chow that helped cause some of that reputation and it was a good thing that many people are afraid of Chows because mine would bite them if they didn't leave him alone. ( He actually had a very good bloodline, not inbred) Now of course being older and wiser (I hope), I know that encouraging aggression is not a good thing and that my dogs and my life are much better when they can be trusted with anyone they meet. Just don't come into my yard, like the sign says, A Chow Chow lives here.

[linds1425]

Chows have such a bad rep because they usually turn on their owners when they are about 3 or 4. I have 1 chow and 1 king charles and they love each other and my chow is 5 and loves the king charles puppy. My friend had a chow and had to get rid of it because it turned on her when it was 3 and she had to get plastic surgery from it. I know a couple other people who that happened to but I'm totally for chows!

[Cam Atis]

Oh! I hope Cassie won't do that. Any dog can turn to its owner of it does not deem that owner to be a person worth his loyalty. They theorize that the dog can have health problems.
But this ugly reputation of Chows are only true in the U.S.
We dont have issues on that in my place.

[Brisco]

LINDS1425, Your statement that most Chows turn on there owners is absolutely ridiculous and not true. What is more amazing is that you believe this, and still go on to say that you are totally for Chows. Why would you support ANY breed that you expect to turn on it's owner? Just crazy talk.

[Rio]

I can only speak for the small amount of people that we have seen while out on walkies, the vast majority usually ask what breed Rio is, and once they know they are usually quite inclined to want to pet and stroke him, he has only backed off a few times, but this was when they didn't ask first.or when I wasn't quick enough to 'ask him' to say Hello.
Not one person has said anything remotely negative regarding the breed other than 'OH the stubborn breed' and I don't really see that as negative. It is very sad that certain breeds get bad reps and my heart goes out to the owners in the U.S who have to live with this kind of unfair branding.

[Ursa's daddy]

This is a old thread, but the question comes up a lot. Chows have to be socialized. My observation of my two is that they require refreshment on the socialization. I used to live in town, and took the dogs out every weekend to the parks and other places. I now live in the country, have a fenced yard, and the dogs don't usually see lots of people. I noticed that they were losing their socialization and have started to take them to town once a month. As has been noted, in the US, there was a lot of inbreeding years ago, and some chows do have issues. Ursa, my female, does have some issues. She is a rescue, so I know nothing about her breeding, but my guess is that she is the product of a puppy mill and was dumped when it was clear she had no market value. She is very afraid of new situations and highly protective of her home. I have a rescue male, Malachi, who is well socialized and not afraid, and having the two has helped her gain confidence. Long term, in the US, public opposition to puppy mills will help to eliminate some of the inbreeding issues, and the growing understanding that breed specific bans are not necessary a good idea, will help improve the perception of the breed. I, along with a number of the members on this forum, feel that my dogs are representatives of the breed, and I continuously work with training to make sure that my dogs demonstrate the good qualities that I have found in this breed.

[TyChowgirl]

Ursa- I really do agree. And the socialization and the bond you have with your chow is all it takes. I used to think that Tiberius may end up skittish for life and that he'd only accept certain people. He's surprising me more and more these days. He lets almost anyone at the dog park pet him and I mean, love on him, pet him. He's starting to do that with people in the neighborhood who also have dogs. Maybe not the first time, but if we spend at least 10 minutes with them, he'll open up and allow a pet and more. This is the puppy who used to even run from us when we first got him. I credit it to the dog parks, dog stores, etc. that he's this socialized and I agree that if I were to ever move back home, he would probably lose that because it wouldn't be and even if it were, I'm from a super small town area. They kind of have this standard for dogs that usually ends up in them being a lawn ornament...none of the stuff I have where I live now. When he has those little victories, I consider it a small win for the breed. Not all chows are vicious and mean. I just don't want the admirers to go and get one because they met a friendly chow lol

[linds1425]

LINDS1425, Your statement that most Chows turn on there owners is absolutely ridiculous and not true. What is more amazing is that you believe this, and still go on to say that you are totally for Chows. Why would you support ANY breed that you expect to turn on it's owner? Just crazy talk.

I'm Linds1425 and I'll show you what my friend looked like after her chow archy bit her. I love caviliers. Totaly for them but you might think Im crazy but I'm a plastic surgeon. And I love Chows. Why else would I have one and join this website?

[Towbartone]

LINDS1425, Your statement that most Chows turn on there owners is absolutely ridiculous and not true. What is more amazing is that you believe this, and still go on to say that you are totally for Chows. Why would you support ANY breed that you expect to turn on it's owner? Just crazy talk.

I'm Linds1425 and I'll show you what my friend looked like after her chow archy bit her. I love caviliers. Totaly for them but you might think Im crazy but I'm a plastic surgeon. And I love Chows. Why else would I have one and join this website?

I don't want to dispute what you say but, I have had two Chows and both are loyal dogs, yes, they are strong dogs but even when we have rough played I have never once felt that I was in any danger.

Chows are, in the main very aloof dogs who have to accept you, not the other way round, I, personally don't like it when other dogs come and pester my dog, I have had many a word with irresponsible owners who have let their dogs run around mine whilst he is on his lead.

As with any dog, they will respond to the treatment they receive, treat them kindly, be their friend and they repay you a million times over. when I have been out and return mine gives me that big welcome home smile and fusses me as much as I fuss him, we are mates and we both know it.

Just a point, your spelling is rather bad for a plastic surgeon.

[spiceywolfe]

I think it's because generally Chows are a one person type of dog. They tend to be rather dominant in any pack setting, and even dominate inexperienced owners. The Chow is not a dog for everyone in my opinion, and those who don't do the proper research, socialize, and train properly are going to get a nasty dog, just like any other breed I'd suppose. However, Chows are a very very old breed, could be that this just comes from generations of terrible owners?

[Chowmomma]

I've had a total of 9 chows spreading out over 20 some years and I still have my fingers and hands to type this response