Its beauty is the result of a balance in all the details. Learn how a Chow Chow should look.
Seldom
seen in Brazil, the Chow-Chow never walks by unnoticed. Different and exotic, it
has a fascinating coat, emphasized even more by the imense mane around its neck.
The Standard describes its aspect as that of a lion. To many, he also resembles
a bear.
The head makes an impression. Wide, it gains volume due to the mane which covers down to its chest. The volume is emphasized by the small ears, almost camouflaged in the fur. If they are too visible and mane is in its normal size, that means ears are too large. The muzzle is wide, from the eyes to the tip, and it measures about half the distance of forehead to lower back of head. "If it's long and narrow, expression loses its characteristic," says Maria Glória Romero, from Kennel Shambala, São Paulo. But if it's too short it causes respiratory problemas. The blue tongue, tipical in the Chow and the Shar-Pei, is another exclusive trace which distinguishes its appearance.
His attitude is dignified and proud. The impact of the head finds continuity in a compact body, well muscled and square, covered by a fascinating coat. Though the square shape is not mentioned in the Standard, it is described in books. Height (in the withers) should be the same as the length of trunk (from chest to base of tail). In order for dog to present this proportion, the size of the lower part of the forelegs should correspond to half of the height. Its legs are strong, thick, no narrowing much in the ankle as it is common in most breeds.
To contrast its appearance, it has a delicate but jumpy walk. "It might even look as if it walked without bending the legs. This happens because there is not enough angle in the hindlegs," says Paulo Clerice, from Kennel Ayran Chow Chow, Araraquara. Most part of the back impulse in this breed is given by the paws, referred to in the Standard as "cat's paws", for being round and small. Usually, in dogs, this is done mainly by the ankle, knee and thigh.
The Chow's tail is also charming. "It is always carried over the back, even when dog is moving moving," says Christian Gulillarducci, from Kennel Apolion's, São Paulo.
The power of attraction exerted by its beautiful coat is more obvious when we learn that the Short Hair Chow Chow is bred much less frequently. It is believed, however, that the breed might have emerged from the short hair variation. The coat of the Short Hair shows muscles more distinctively, and evidently this makes it easier to care, without the need for long brushing sessions.
As for temperament, the Chow is calm and discrete, as a good oriental. "It is affectionate with the owner, without ever being "sticky". It practically doesn't bark, which makes it adequate for places where silence is convenient, or when you don't want to bother the neighborhood," declares Fernanda Glória Moraes, from Vivasvãn Kennel, São Paulo.
Purchase of Puppies: Muzzle's size about half of
the distance from forehead to back of head, not less than 1/3, which could cause
respiratory difficulties. Straight legs, not arched to the sides, nor with
narrow ankles. Dark eyes. In the ones with the blue coat (grafite) ou fulvo they
may be the same color of the hair. Dark blue tongue without dispigmentation.
Scissors bite. Tail carried over back. Small ears, slightly converging and far
from each other.
Height: Male, 48 to 56cm. Female, 46 to
51cm. According to AKC, 43,18 to 50,8, independent of gender.
Color:
Black, red, blue, fulvo, beige or white. Frequently with tonalidades,
but with no spots or diverse colors. Under the tail and in the back part of
thighs, color may be of lighter tone.
Special Care: Brush
once a week to keep coat clean and healthy. It doesn't smell much, and may stay
up to 4 months without a bath. After bathing it, dry it well. Do not let lower
coat stay humid. The shampoo takes away oil that covers hair, which makes water
penetrate and humidity is retained by fur, causing dermatites.
Data
Source: CBKC (Confederação Brasileira de Cinofilia)
Standard # 205 from April 25, 1994 (translation of FCI Standard # 205, from June
7, 1988), except the one mentioned as AKC.
Reading Material: Il
Chow Chow, by Giulio Audisio di Somma, Editora Giovanni Del Vecchi, Milan,
Italy.
We would like to thank the people interviewed for the
information, and for the editing of this text.
Research and text: Flávia
C. Soares. Text editor: Marcos Pennacchi
Picture: Luiz Henrique Mendes
Owner:
Kennel Shambala
