Discussion
Hi, does anyone have any experience with this breed? We were looking at some options for a new dog and a Chow came up in conversation. We have 2 children (4 & 9) who are used to dogs and 2 maine coons who are 4 but have not lived with dogs. Are there any owners who could pass on some real world experience, any photos would be good too!
Not with a Chow, but I have 2 maine coon cats, one being about 8kg and the female about 2kg, and then I got a Chihuahua!
The cats were first in and probably took them a couple of weeks to get used to Madison.
Although Maverick (cat) is huge compared to Madison (dog) he is very timid around her and tends to run away if she looks at him, whereas Mavis (female cat) and Madison get on great.
As I'm sure you're aware MC are great cats and easy to adjust to most things!
Good luck
The cats were first in and probably took them a couple of weeks to get used to Madison.
Although Maverick (cat) is huge compared to Madison (dog) he is very timid around her and tends to run away if she looks at him, whereas Mavis (female cat) and Madison get on great.
As I'm sure you're aware MC are great cats and easy to adjust to most things!
Good luck
I grew up with Chows and they were great.
It's worth doing your research before getting one; they are very independent dogs who have their one master and that's it (as such, very loyal). If you speak to most vets, they hate them as they have a bit of a reputation for being aggressive - perhaps due to protecting their master from strangers. Due to their dominance, they require a dominant owner, so they know their place (they have developed from pack animals and they are one of the oldest breeds of dog). They will only take attention as long as they want it, then they will walk off.
Unfortunately Chows are one of the breeds that has become worse off as a result of pedigree breed standards with squashed up noses causing breathing difficulties, eye problems as well as some other 'large' breed dog diseases like hip dysplasia and heart disease. There are some good ones out there though.
In your situation, a puppy might suit, so it grows up with the children and cats. There are many other breeds that are good family dogs that are easier to deal with though.
Given all of the recent snow in England, here is my Chow in the snow (their favourite) a year or so ago.
Jasper in the snow
It's worth doing your research before getting one; they are very independent dogs who have their one master and that's it (as such, very loyal). If you speak to most vets, they hate them as they have a bit of a reputation for being aggressive - perhaps due to protecting their master from strangers. Due to their dominance, they require a dominant owner, so they know their place (they have developed from pack animals and they are one of the oldest breeds of dog). They will only take attention as long as they want it, then they will walk off.
Unfortunately Chows are one of the breeds that has become worse off as a result of pedigree breed standards with squashed up noses causing breathing difficulties, eye problems as well as some other 'large' breed dog diseases like hip dysplasia and heart disease. There are some good ones out there though.
In your situation, a puppy might suit, so it grows up with the children and cats. There are many other breeds that are good family dogs that are easier to deal with though.
Given all of the recent snow in England, here is my Chow in the snow (their favourite) a year or so ago.
Jasper in the snow
Shinobi said:
Wouldn't it be better to pop to a shelter and see what dog you get on with rather than buying a puppy purely on looks? Always baffles me when people want a certain breed without knowing much about them.
Thanks for the imput, did you read my initial post? A Chow was just one of the breeds we are considering and that's why I was asking for advice? We have had boxers, Weimaraners, red setters and a Boston terrier ( who was a rescue) but variety is the spice of life. I agree a rescue iwould be the moral choice.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff