Do Chow Chows Look Approachable?
Of course they do.
They look like living teddy bears.
That’s exactly why people often misunderstand the breed.
A well bred Chow Chow shouldn’t be aggressive. Calm, confident and self assured? Absolutely.
Expect them to greet every stranger like an overenthusiastic Labrador in a bear costume? Not a chance.
People often confuse aloofness with aggression, but they’re worlds apart.
Chow Chows were never bred to believe every person they meet is their new best friend. Their loyalty is earned, not handed out freely, and that’s one of the many things that makes the breed so special.
The Truth About Chow Chows
Ah, the Chow Chow.
Misunderstood.
Misquoted.
Misjudged.
Often described as a cross between a lion, and a cat…
We’ve heard it all before…
Yes, Chows can be… a lot!
They’re proud.
They’re independent.
They’ll definitely ignore you if they think what you’re asking is beneath them (which is most things).
But aggressive?
Not when they’re properly bred, socialised and raised.
A well bred, well raised Chow Chow is a dignified, loyal and affectionate family dog.
Yes, affectionate.
No, not in a tongue up your nose way, but in an “I’ll quietly sit beside you and guard you like a velvet teddy bear” kind of way.
(Unless it’s Story… then all bets are off and he’ll happily shove his tongue up your nose.)
They’re not cold.
They’re just aloof.
It’s not personal.
It’s just Chow.
I’ll Admit It… I Judged Them Too
Am I guilty of judging the breed before I owned them?
Absolutely.
In fact, I think a lot of people have.
As a dog groomer, Chow Chows had a reputation. Most groomers automatically expected them to be difficult, and I was no different.
I was even nearly bitten by one a few years ago.
To be fair, I’ve had far more attempts from tiny handbag dogs… but when it’s attached to a much larger dog with a bad reputation, it’s definitely more memorable!
The truth is, most of the Chow Chows I met weren’t aggressive at all.
They were simply quiet, Independent, Hard to read.
And because I didn’t understand them, I unfairly put them all under the same umbrella.
Then I started looking into the breed because I wanted a proper guard dog.
(Apparently several Newfoundlands hanging over the fence demanding fuss from complete strangers isn’t much of a security system!)
The more I researched, the more the penny dropped.
Ahhh… so that’s why the Chow Chows I’d groomed wouldn’t even look at me.
They weren’t being unfriendly.
They were simply being Chow Chows and I was a
stranger.
I’d say that it was until I owned one… but let’s be honest…
We all know a Chow owns us!
They Were Bred to Guard
Here’s the bit people often forget.
Chow Chows are a guarding breed.
One of the world’s oldest dog breeds, Chow Chows spent centuries guarding homes, temples and imperial estates in ancient China.
They were never meant to believe every stranger was a new bestie and that’s exactly why I wanted one.
Quite a few Newfoundland people couldn’t get their heads around it.
“You’ve spent years with one of the gentlest breeds in the world. A dog with a natural lifesaving instinct and love of children… why on earth would you want a Chow Chow?”
Simple.
Because I wanted a guarding breed.
Ironically, since getting Chows, it now seems every Newfie person wants a Chow… and every Chow person wants a Newfie!
They really do complement each other beautifully.
One breed greets everyone like “Hello stranger please love me”
The other silently judges you and has mastered side eye from two weeks old.
The more I’ve lived with them and shared them online, the more people seem to understand them too. so If I’ve managed to change a few minds along the way, or educate someone who DOES
want a lab then that’s something I’m incredibly proud of!
What amazes me most isn’t that they’re protective.
It’s how incredibly discerning they are.
If I invite somebody into my home, my Chows quietly accept them.
I do have a few “broken ones” who make up their minds quickly and demand a little cuddle… ha!
But that’s when they’ve been invited in!
Now… if somebody decided to let themselves into my house uninvited…
Well…
You’d probably have to ask the postman about that one.
(True story!)
That’s the difference between a dog that’s bred to guard and one that’s bred to greet.
A well bred Chow Chow shouldn’t be looking for trouble.
They simply understand when something doesn’t seem quite right… and instinct kicks in.
Instinct From Birth?
Most Chow Chows don’t like to be approached straight on top of the head.
One thing that completely fascinated me was seeing just how early some of those guarding instincts appeared.
I’m talking about newborn puppies.
Eyes closed.
Ears closed.
Barely a few days old.
Like most people, my instinct was to stroke them on the top of their heads.
The response?
Tiny puppies.
Very big opinions.
Again and again, I’d see the same thing. Many of them would loudly object despite being perfectly content when held and touched elsewhere.
It genuinely made me stop and think.
How could puppies that couldn’t even see or hear already have such a strong reaction?
For me, it was another reminder that temperament isn’t simply created overnight.
Genetics matter.
Instinct matters.
Early experiences matter.
They all work together to shape the wonderful dogs they become.
It’s one of those moments that gave me a whole new appreciation for the breed.
What’s It Really Like Living With a Chow Chow?
Living with a Chow is like having a very fluffy roommate who thinks they’re royalty.
They’ll follow you from room to room (while pretending they absolutely aren’t following you).
They’ll ignore your recall.
They’ll judge your life choices.
They’ll occasionally express their love by leaning on you or quietly sitting beside you.
They’re funny.
Ridiculously expressive.
Occasionally dramatic.
And completely unmistakable.
They won’t fetch your slippers…
But they’ll absolutely let you know when you’ve disappointed them!
Myth vs Reality
Myth
Chows are vicious.
Reality
Poorly bred dogs of any breed can be difficult. A well-bred Chow is calm, loyal and wonderfully stable.
Myth
Chows don’t love their families.
Reality
They simply show love differently.
Think stoic samurai rather than Golden Retriever cheerleader.
Myth
Chows can’t live with children or other pets.
Reality
Ours do.
And they do it brilliantly.
Because good breeding, good socialisation and good owners matter.
So… Still Scared of the Aloof Floof?
You shouldn’t be.
With the right start in life, Chow Chows are incredible companions for the right families.
Independent.
Loyal.
Thoughtful.
Quietly hilarious.
And unlike any other breed you’ll ever own.
Just don’t expect them to believe every stranger deserves a cuddle.
Leave that job to the Newfoundlands.
Of course they do.
They look like living teddy bears.
That’s exactly why people often misunderstand the breed.
A well bred Chow Chow shouldn’t be aggressive. Calm, confident and self assured? Absolutely.
Expect them to greet every stranger like an overenthusiastic Labrador in a bear costume? Not a chance.
People often confuse aloofness with aggression, but they’re worlds apart.
Chow Chows were never bred to believe every person they meet is their new best friend. Their loyalty is earned, not handed out freely, and that’s one of the many things that makes the breed so special.
The Truth About Chow Chows
Ah, the Chow Chow.
Misunderstood.
Misquoted.
Misjudged.
Often described as a cross between a lion, and a cat…
We’ve heard it all before…
- “Aren’t they aggressive?”
- “Don’t they hate people?”
- “I heard they eat children.”
- “My friend’s cousin’s neighbour had one and it mauled their neighbour.”
Yes, Chows can be… a lot!
They’re proud.
They’re independent.
They’ll definitely ignore you if they think what you’re asking is beneath them (which is most things).
But aggressive?
Not when they’re properly bred, socialised and raised.
A well bred, well raised Chow Chow is a dignified, loyal and affectionate family dog.
Yes, affectionate.
No, not in a tongue up your nose way, but in an “I’ll quietly sit beside you and guard you like a velvet teddy bear” kind of way.
(Unless it’s Story… then all bets are off and he’ll happily shove his tongue up your nose.)
They’re not cold.
They’re just aloof.
It’s not personal.
It’s just Chow.
I’ll Admit It… I Judged Them Too
Am I guilty of judging the breed before I owned them?
Absolutely.
In fact, I think a lot of people have.
As a dog groomer, Chow Chows had a reputation. Most groomers automatically expected them to be difficult, and I was no different.
I was even nearly bitten by one a few years ago.
To be fair, I’ve had far more attempts from tiny handbag dogs… but when it’s attached to a much larger dog with a bad reputation, it’s definitely more memorable!
The truth is, most of the Chow Chows I met weren’t aggressive at all.
They were simply quiet, Independent, Hard to read.
And because I didn’t understand them, I unfairly put them all under the same umbrella.
Then I started looking into the breed because I wanted a proper guard dog.
(Apparently several Newfoundlands hanging over the fence demanding fuss from complete strangers isn’t much of a security system!)
The more I researched, the more the penny dropped.
Ahhh… so that’s why the Chow Chows I’d groomed wouldn’t even look at me.
They weren’t being unfriendly.
They were simply being Chow Chows and I was a
stranger.
I’d say that it was until I owned one… but let’s be honest…
We all know a Chow owns us!
They Were Bred to Guard
Here’s the bit people often forget.
Chow Chows are a guarding breed.
One of the world’s oldest dog breeds, Chow Chows spent centuries guarding homes, temples and imperial estates in ancient China.
They were never meant to believe every stranger was a new bestie and that’s exactly why I wanted one.
Quite a few Newfoundland people couldn’t get their heads around it.
“You’ve spent years with one of the gentlest breeds in the world. A dog with a natural lifesaving instinct and love of children… why on earth would you want a Chow Chow?”
Simple.
Because I wanted a guarding breed.
Ironically, since getting Chows, it now seems every Newfie person wants a Chow… and every Chow person wants a Newfie!
They really do complement each other beautifully.
One breed greets everyone like “Hello stranger please love me”
The other silently judges you and has mastered side eye from two weeks old.
The more I’ve lived with them and shared them online, the more people seem to understand them too. so If I’ve managed to change a few minds along the way, or educate someone who DOES
want a lab then that’s something I’m incredibly proud of!
What amazes me most isn’t that they’re protective.
It’s how incredibly discerning they are.
If I invite somebody into my home, my Chows quietly accept them.
I do have a few “broken ones” who make up their minds quickly and demand a little cuddle… ha!
But that’s when they’ve been invited in!
Now… if somebody decided to let themselves into my house uninvited…
Well…
You’d probably have to ask the postman about that one.
(True story!)
That’s the difference between a dog that’s bred to guard and one that’s bred to greet.
A well bred Chow Chow shouldn’t be looking for trouble.
They simply understand when something doesn’t seem quite right… and instinct kicks in.
Instinct From Birth?
Most Chow Chows don’t like to be approached straight on top of the head.
One thing that completely fascinated me was seeing just how early some of those guarding instincts appeared.
I’m talking about newborn puppies.
Eyes closed.
Ears closed.
Barely a few days old.
Like most people, my instinct was to stroke them on the top of their heads.
The response?
Tiny puppies.
Very big opinions.
Again and again, I’d see the same thing. Many of them would loudly object despite being perfectly content when held and touched elsewhere.
It genuinely made me stop and think.
How could puppies that couldn’t even see or hear already have such a strong reaction?
For me, it was another reminder that temperament isn’t simply created overnight.
Genetics matter.
Instinct matters.
Early experiences matter.
They all work together to shape the wonderful dogs they become.
It’s one of those moments that gave me a whole new appreciation for the breed.
What’s It Really Like Living With a Chow Chow?
Living with a Chow is like having a very fluffy roommate who thinks they’re royalty.
They’ll follow you from room to room (while pretending they absolutely aren’t following you).
They’ll ignore your recall.
They’ll judge your life choices.
They’ll occasionally express their love by leaning on you or quietly sitting beside you.
They’re funny.
Ridiculously expressive.
Occasionally dramatic.
And completely unmistakable.
They won’t fetch your slippers…
But they’ll absolutely let you know when you’ve disappointed them!
Myth vs Reality
Myth
Chows are vicious.
Reality
Poorly bred dogs of any breed can be difficult. A well-bred Chow is calm, loyal and wonderfully stable.
Myth
Chows don’t love their families.
Reality
They simply show love differently.
Think stoic samurai rather than Golden Retriever cheerleader.
Myth
Chows can’t live with children or other pets.
Reality
Ours do.
And they do it brilliantly.
Because good breeding, good socialisation and good owners matter.
So… Still Scared of the Aloof Floof?
You shouldn’t be.
With the right start in life, Chow Chows are incredible companions for the right families.
Independent.
Loyal.
Thoughtful.
Quietly hilarious.
And unlike any other breed you’ll ever own.
Just don’t expect them to believe every stranger deserves a cuddle.
Leave that job to the Newfoundlands.
They’re not Labradors in fancy dress. They don’t assume every stranger exists purely to admire them… although they usually expect you to!
Of course! They look basically like a living teddy bear.
But here’s where people often misunderstand the breed…
A well-bred Chow Chow shouldn’t be aggressive. Calm, confident and self-assured? Absolutely. Desperate to launch himself at every stranger for a cuddle like an overenthusiastic Labrador? Not a chance.
Chow Chows were never bred to believe every person they meet is their new best friend. Their loyalty is earned, not handed out freely, and that’s one of the many things that makes the breed so special.
There’s a world of difference between an aloof dog and an aggressive one, and unfortunately those two traits are often confused.
The Truth About Chow Chow temperament
Ah, the Chow Chow. Misunderstood. Misquoted. Misjudged. Often described as a cross between a lion, a cat, and a Victorian judge who’s just tasted a lemon.
We’ve heard it all before:
• “Aren’t they aggressive?”
• “Don’t they hate people?”
• “I heard they eat children.”
• “My friend’s cousin’s neighbour had one and it mauled their Hoover.”
Let us stop you right there.
Yes, Chows Can Be… a Lot
They’re proud. They’re independent. They will definitely ignore you if they think what you’re asking is beneath them (which is most things). But aggressive? Not when they’re properly bred, socialised, and raised with love and leadership.
We’ve been in dogs a long time, and here’s the truth:
A well bred, well raised Chow Chow is a dignified, loyal, and affectionate family dog. Yes, affectionate. No, not in a Labrador tongue-up-your-nose way - but in a “I’ll sit near you and quietly guard you like a velvet bear” kind of way. Unless it’s Story; then he will absolutely do the tongue up your nose lab thing! .
They’re not cold.
They’re just aloof floofs.
It’s not personal.
It’s just Chow.
The Bad Reputation - Where Did It Come From?
Let’s be honest - some Chows have earned the reputation.
Poor breeding.
Lack of early socialisation.
Being treated like yard ornaments instead of living beings.
These things would mess up any dog. And unfortunately, there’s been no shortage of backyard breeders churning out fluffy landsharks with zero thought for temperament and temperament IS genetic!
But that’s not the Chow Chow we know and love.
The Newfangled Difference - Character AND Cuteness
Our Chows are:
The result?
Confident, well-mannered, cuddle-tolerant aloof floofs that live happily alongside kids, other pets, and even - brace yourself - visitors.
What Owning a Chow is Actually Like
Living with a Chow is like having a very fluffy roommate who thinks they’re royalty. They’ll follow you from room to room (but pretend they’re not), refuse to recall, and occasionally express love by leaning on you like a hippo.
They’re funny, loyal, and unmistakably themselves. They won’t fetch your slippers, but they’ll absolutely alert you to the neighbour’s cat walking past the driveway.
In Summary:
• Myth: Chows are vicious.
Truth: Poorly bred dogs of any breed can be difficult. A well-bred Chow is loyal, calm, and good-natured.
• Myth: Chows don’t love their families.
Truth: They just show love differently. Think stoic samurai, not golden retriever cheerleader.
• Myth: Chows can’t live with kids or
Of course! They look basically like a living teddy bear.
But here’s where people often misunderstand the breed…
A well-bred Chow Chow shouldn’t be aggressive. Calm, confident and self-assured? Absolutely. Desperate to launch himself at every stranger for a cuddle like an overenthusiastic Labrador? Not a chance.
Chow Chows were never bred to believe every person they meet is their new best friend. Their loyalty is earned, not handed out freely, and that’s one of the many things that makes the breed so special.
There’s a world of difference between an aloof dog and an aggressive one, and unfortunately those two traits are often confused.
The Truth About Chow Chow temperament
Ah, the Chow Chow. Misunderstood. Misquoted. Misjudged. Often described as a cross between a lion, a cat, and a Victorian judge who’s just tasted a lemon.
We’ve heard it all before:
• “Aren’t they aggressive?”
• “Don’t they hate people?”
• “I heard they eat children.”
• “My friend’s cousin’s neighbour had one and it mauled their Hoover.”
Let us stop you right there.
Yes, Chows Can Be… a Lot
They’re proud. They’re independent. They will definitely ignore you if they think what you’re asking is beneath them (which is most things). But aggressive? Not when they’re properly bred, socialised, and raised with love and leadership.
We’ve been in dogs a long time, and here’s the truth:
A well bred, well raised Chow Chow is a dignified, loyal, and affectionate family dog. Yes, affectionate. No, not in a Labrador tongue-up-your-nose way - but in a “I’ll sit near you and quietly guard you like a velvet bear” kind of way. Unless it’s Story; then he will absolutely do the tongue up your nose lab thing! .
They’re not cold.
They’re just aloof floofs.
It’s not personal.
It’s just Chow.
The Bad Reputation - Where Did It Come From?
Let’s be honest - some Chows have earned the reputation.
Poor breeding.
Lack of early socialisation.
Being treated like yard ornaments instead of living beings.
These things would mess up any dog. And unfortunately, there’s been no shortage of backyard breeders churning out fluffy landsharks with zero thought for temperament and temperament IS genetic!
But that’s not the Chow Chow we know and love.
The Newfangled Difference - Character AND Cuteness
Our Chows are:
- Bred for temperament as much as looks
- Raised in our home, not a shed at the end of a garden
- Handled daily from birth and exposed to people, noises, and weird objects (like vacuum cleaners and children)
- Treated with respect, consistency, and yes - a healthy sense of humour
The result?
Confident, well-mannered, cuddle-tolerant aloof floofs that live happily alongside kids, other pets, and even - brace yourself - visitors.
What Owning a Chow is Actually Like
Living with a Chow is like having a very fluffy roommate who thinks they’re royalty. They’ll follow you from room to room (but pretend they’re not), refuse to recall, and occasionally express love by leaning on you like a hippo.
They’re funny, loyal, and unmistakably themselves. They won’t fetch your slippers, but they’ll absolutely alert you to the neighbour’s cat walking past the driveway.
In Summary:
• Myth: Chows are vicious.
Truth: Poorly bred dogs of any breed can be difficult. A well-bred Chow is loyal, calm, and good-natured.
• Myth: Chows don’t love their families.
Truth: They just show love differently. Think stoic samurai, not golden retriever cheerleader.
• Myth: Chows can’t live with kids or
