The last two years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club saw dog ownership rise by nearly eight per cent since the start of the global pandemic.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One dog that often appears at the top of people’s canine wishlists is the Chow Chow – these bear-like pooches have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
1. A fine mix
The Chow Chow has been around for so long that experts are not sure exactly what mix of breeds led to their establishment. Theories about their ancestors include the Tibetan Mastiff, the Samoyed, the Norwegian Elkhound, the Keeshond, and the Pomeranian.
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2. Big in China
The Chow Chow is thought to have started life somewhere in Asia – most likely Mongolia – but became hugely popular in China, where they were trained to hunt, guard, pull sleds, and herd cattle.
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3. What’s in a name?
The name Chow Chow was a catch-all term for anything imported to Europe in the 18th century from the East – including dolls, curios, porcelain, and dogs. In China, the Chow Chow is called the ‘Songshi Quan’.
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4. By royal appointment
One Chinese emperor during the Tang dynasty loved Chow Chows so much that he had over 5,000. He also had over 10,000 men employed to look after the dogs and hunt with them.
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