differences in chow type

[jojasp5]

I've been noticing differences in different chow chows. I have one chow that looks more like an alaskan huskie where the ruff is more abundant around the neck and shoulders. I also have another chow that looks like a minature lion but the muzzle is more bull dog in appearance. On looking at different books on the breed I see pictures where the breed looked more like my first dog in the earlier years, ie. 1890-early 1900s. My question is, are the chows that have an abundant ruff all around the head and chest with a bull dog like muzzle the result of selective breeding? I've read that the breed was originally used as a hunting dog. Well my first chow certainly shows aptitude toward this and the stamina to boot. Where as my second chow snorts and grunts and has less stamina especially on a long walk. I wonder if the muzzle is a bad result of possible selective breeding. Feel free to pick this apart and Thanks for any answers.

jojasp5

[chow fancier]

I think you are talking about open versus closed faced chows. The open face is a longer narrower muzzle and the closed face has a short wide muzzle and more likely to have wrinkles. Here's a thread all about it.

http://forum.chowchow.org/viewtopic.php ... pen+closed

[sengeoz]

This was the subject of discussion not all that long ago. Just click on this link
http://forum.chowchow.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9556
and read through what's written there - think it will answer much of your query.