A few questions

[DeadIrishD]

I hear how stubborn chows can be, and although I can some what see what you guys are talking about, for the most part Bindy is extremely obiedient, she will sit, lay, sit pretty, fetch (although can be stubborn and not bring the toys back.) should I consider myself lucky, or is the reputation of them being stubborn generally an over statement?

She had gotting into a fight about two weeks ago on a saturday, we had brought her to play with my "cousin in laws" dogs, which was territorial, which my "brother in law" had the idea of knowing that one of the dogs were territorial, but didn't think that the dog could have been teritorial outside of the house, second day after Bindy had gotting bit on the neck by the dog it became infected so we had brought Bindy to the vets on monday, where the vet had said that one out of three chows were friendly and the other two were agressive, after raising Bindy since she was nine months, I cannot belive this, but was also wondering if there was any truth around this either? (BTW the vet loves Bindy, so I don't think that he's "racist" against breeds of dogs.)

.::Due to the fact that the dog of which had attacked Bindy, is born of a breed with a bad rep already I will not say what kind of dog it was::.

I was also wondering if this may affect how she gets along with other dogs, expecially thoes of the same breed that had attacked her, I'd like to get some peoples input before I try to bring her around any other dogs, and stress her out any.

She's around 6 months old, but I was wondering how big female chows are usually at this age? she's only 30lbs.

I do realise that they all grow at individual rates, but I was wondering if this was a normal size, or if she is small or big for her age.

She's also a petite girl, and is fed Nutro (for larg breed puppies) does this seem good, or are their any better foods that I should be breeding her?

[Judy Fox]

Yes, Chows are stubborn and they very much sort out their lives to suit themselves. Your chow sounds to be very well behaved!
I think the incident with your cousin-in-law's dog is unfortunate and I suggest that you don't try to socialise her with the dog again.
She is probably quite happy as she is - remember she is a chow chow!
With my Milly and Mabel I find other dogs either just ignore them or hate them and M & M's attitude is - if they are ignored, they ignore back but if the other dog is nasty they can out-nasty and out swear the other dog, any day!
Chows have an undeserved bad reputation and it is sad but I feel it best to avoid conflict with other people/dogs and let M & M get on with their own lives, which they do quite happily.

[Auddymay]

Breeds have certain characteristics associated to them. Within said descriptions, you will find a wide array of actual behaviors. Your vet is incorrect about 2 out of 3 being aggressive. They are aloof, independent, protective, and selective in their behavior. If a stranger knocks on your door when you are not home, and Bindy went in a protective mode (barking, growling, body slamming the door), that person would say Bindy is aggressive. But that would be incorrect. The chances are, that if that person called your Chow's bluff, he would probably not get bit. But if he did, it would be his own fault for not heeding the WARNING.

Most Chows do not initiate aggression. They would rather get away from a bad situation than fight. But a Chow is no coward, and can fight back ferociously, if they are forced to defend themselves. Other Chows do nothing and get the worst of it. What did Bindy do, fight, or get bitten? The biggest problems we face as Chow owners, is ignorance of strangers who are mis-reading the Chow's behaviors. That is not to say there are no aggressive Chows. But they are not the majority, not even close.

[sit_by_the_beach]

My first chow Luna was a handful. She loved people, kids, cats, everything except (most) other dogs. If she did meet a dog, she'd tolerate them, she was happy just by herself. She loved me, was obedient. Loved my parents, friends.

Going on walks if we met up with another domineering female, watch out, I am strong and had good control of Luna, so did the men of the other dog, but when we came across a nasty female dog, I hate to say it but many women should not own a dominent, strong dog.

I heard, oh my dog has always been o.k. until we met yours. Oh you own a chow, you should expect her to be nasty. Hello, it was your dog starting to bark, snarl, pull, in other words it's the other dog that is nasty and not at fault, it's the chow's fault.

I now have Mikki chow, very submissive, very obedient. minds her own business. She greets all other dogs with a friendly smile, tail wagging, wants to play. She gets along with all dogs in the doggie park. The very same dogs that Luna had problems with, are o.k. with Mikki.

If my dog was to get bitten or picked on by another dominant breed, dog, I'd keep mine away from that dog.
Karin

[DeadIrishD]

Breeds have certain characteristics associated to them. Within said descriptions, you will find a wide array of actual behaviors. Your vet is incorrect about 2 out of 3 being aggressive. They are aloof, independent, protective, and selective in their behavior. If a stranger knocks on your door when you are not home, and Bindy went in a protective mode (barking, growling, body slamming the door), that person would say Bindy is aggressive. But that would be incorrect. The chances are, that if that person called your Chow's bluff, he would probably not get bit. But if he did, it would be his own fault for not heeding the WARNING.

Most Chows do not initiate aggression. They would rather get away from a bad situation than fight. But a Chow is no coward, and can fight back ferociously, if they are forced to defend themselves. Other Chows do nothing and get the worst of it. What did Bindy do, fight, or get bitten? The biggest problems we face as Chow owners, is ignorance of strangers who are mis-reading the Chow's behaviors. That is not to say there are no aggressive Chows. But they are not the majority, not even close.

Bindy had gotting bit, but other than that and biting my brother in law out of fear, had nothing to do with a fight.

Bindy will bark and growl at people only when she's as far away as she can be, so much for having her for protection.. LOL it's more so Daddy protecting her when she gets afraid of someone she'll hide inbetween my legs or by my feet... ahh heck anywhere she can get near Daddy.

I was also not talking about another introduction with that same dog, but more so having her hang out with her friends who are of the same breed.

She generally LOVES company from any other dogs that she can be around, I'm just unsure if this will remain the same after what had happend or if she may have changed due to fear...

[chowfrnd88]

What the others said is true.

I bet you took your pup to see that same dog again (in a controlled setting so you know they're both safe should something happen) that if the same dog did not show aggression to your chow, your chow would behave as if nothing happened. My chow was attacked (not seriously enough to cause any injury) by a small dog over the summer and I was afraid of similar things. I was scared he'd be afraid of off leahs dogs or if he saw this particlar dog again... and nope, none of that. I find Special is quick to forgive, there's too much to smell out there to be bothered with holsing grudges and fears!

[DeadIrishD]

It's not fair to stress either of the dogs out so as far as a second introduction, goes I'd rather not.

I will allow Bindy to play with other dogs, from now on.

Once I get the courage to get her spayed and don't back out, or once she gets out of heat.

[grim1900]

Can't expect a puppy to be overly brave,even a chow.Mine grew up playing with and having shepherds dominate them until they had gained enough confidence in themselves to reverse the pecking order.Hazzard is definately the pack leader now and Puppy Chow is just starting to assert herself.I would expect it to take a couple of years before the real dog reveals itself.That is your timeline to create a well adjusted member to your family.No matter what you do,expect your baby to become a serious no nonsense force when dealing with strangers and strange animals.Nothing wrong with that as long as you are in control by that time.So like everyone says --- socialize early --- and make sure that your ruling is the final word on all subjects.

[Victory]

Most six month old dogs and chows are still in puppy mode, her obiedence and timidity may very well change once she reaches 8-9 months and become a "teenager" many people have seen this happen, and their once perfect babies, become stuborn and very independent. But she should still remain sweet and loyal to you and your family. You'll just see more of her going her own way, ignoring you sometimes that sort of thing.

As long as she isn't attacked by that dog again, she propably won't become distrustful of the breed. But they do have long memories and once they decide that a certain breed or color or type of dog is bad news they will become very defensive if that type of dog approachs them aggressively. My Firesong adores most other dogs, but she's become very wary of labs because two labs in the neighborhood have been aggressive to her, (and this when Dreamdancer was very little and her maternity instinct surfaced) She also doesn't like a shistzu that lives in the neighborhood, but then that dog is uncontrolled with all dogs and people too.

As far as size is concerned, 30lbs at six months means she'll be between 40-45lbs as an adult. This is within standard for a female.

[DeadIrishD]

I can't picture her being any more independant...

sure when she gets scared she goes to daddy, and does play with me in the back yard, but other than that she lays in the same room as me, but never too close.

also has an obsession with laying down in front of a door, which is a pain.

[Victory]

She also has an obsession with laying down in front of a door, which is a pain.

uh huh and do you step over her or make her move? The first puts her in the dominant posistion, the second puts you there. Oh yeah, she's a chow.

[jerseyp]

I think she'll be fine but she won't forget that dog and she may be submissive with the dog that attacked her if they meet but once she get's a little older, she will defend herself (a mild way of putting it). I think it's very important that you take her to meet some dogs (maybe at a reputable dog park) with stable temperaments as soon as you can so she can have some positive interaction with dogs which I think will help her forget about the incident. My dogs are a little more cautious after being attacked but forget about the whole thing shortly after and are their normal selves meeting new dogs. However, my dogs have also never been bitten when attacked. Here is an excerpt from the "Lab-chow mix post from a few days ago. Ty (my chow-golden mix) has been socialized since he was 8 weeks old in public, the neighborhood, parks and woods where he's always off leash and he's met all kinds of people and dogs . He has met hundreds to thousands of dogs and has had just about every possible situation come upon him. He was attacked by a pit and a rottie (although he's also met more nice pits and rotties and was even pinned down by a golden retriever as a pup - I am not trying to bash any breeds and and most and his worst cases of being attacked have come from small dogs but when a dominant dog goes after another dominant dog, there is more potential for damage. He will never start a fight but he will also not back down from one if there's no choice. On rare occasions he's been backed into a situation where he can't get away from an aggressive dog - and that's when he changes. His whole face transforms from a half chow half golden to a chow from hell (picture the movies where a man turns into a werewolf and your halfway there). His whole face, skin and fur wrinkle back till all you see are black gums and knashing fangs and teeth, his fur on his back stands up several inches, his growl and bark sound like a demon dog as he lurches and lunges over the aggressive dog and backs them up till they can go no further but he never bites and never allows himself to get bitten. The other dogs have always stopped their attack. He then goes about what he was doing before he was rudely interrupted and acts like nothing happened. He does not approach other dogs like a dog, but like a chow. He stands regal and dominant with his tail curled up over his back, head held high, proud look on his face and a stern stare in his eyes which seem to ask, "Friend or Foe?". It will stop a dog in his tracks (and many owners) and I’m sure the chow owners know this stance. He then walks up to them with a steady, even gait, head slightly higher than the other dog and then decides if he wants to play or move on. He will play with over half the dogs (if they are also playful), he will chase males and he lets females chase him and when he is comfortable will wrestle with them, applying slightly more force than the other dog (play with Ty has never turned into a fight). He will protect anyone he thinks is family or friend and has saved my daughter's westie several times by jumping in the middle the few times the westie started up with another dog - he will also stop the westie in her tracks almost like a border collie herding if he thinks she is going after a dog. He has a female dog he walks with almost daily (his girlfriend) and one time this huge, mean looking mangy black shepard (he looks like a huge black wolf caught in the rain but is actually a nice dog) gave a little growl at his girlfriend when he jumped in between them and looked the shepard straight in the eyes and gave a little growl back.
I want to let you know that the aggressive incidents are rare and mostly with smaller dogs whom Ty will ignore or give a growl if he has to send them a message. Ty interacts with new dogs almost on a daily basis and has played with hundreds of dogs, ran with many dogs, ate treats with many dogs and even hunted (not encouraged by me but no amount of training could deter this instinct) with many dogs. He would starve without this interaction.
My lab-chow Nala is friendly or polite is a better word with other dogs but is a lot more aloof (although he did have a little poodle, Jo-Jo that knocked on out door and we’d let Nala out to play with her). She would be fine without interaction with dogs.
I believe most dogs are happiest when with their family, but if they are able to meet other dogs, it can add some excitement to their lives. However, some dogs and chows just either don’t want to interact or are indifferent to other dogs like Nala and that’s fine too.
It sounds like Bindy enjoys the interaction so I say –
LET THEM PLAY!!!!!!!!!
Here are some pics of Ty with his girlfriend.


Do chows tango?

Ty giving a Meary a hickey (it looks rough but they play like this everyday)

Meary's turn - to make up for her being smaller and not as strong she grabs Ty's ruff and shakes it. In all my encounters seeing dogs meet it seems females actually rule the roost - Ty is too much of a gentleman to shake Meary (and Meary has no ruff) - he just mouths her. Dog play is also a great way to for a dog to learn bite inhibition.

Ty and Meary make up and he gets a kiss from Meary - see how happy he is.