Page 30 - 2024 01 Spring

Judging the Chow Chow

By Love Banghart

A judge should always approach the chow within
the range of the dog's vision. Due to the scowling
expression and deep set eye, the chow has limited
peripheral vision and if approached from the side
or from the rear, may be startled by an unexpected
hand. After completing examination of the
head, the judge should continue their hands-on
examination in an uninterrupted flow, moving
from front to side to rear.

We all agree that when judging any breed, the
officiating judge must evaluate each exhibit
according to the standard for the breed and
country in which he is judging. The Chow Chow
standard is one of the lengthiest and most detailed
of standards but still leaves ample opportunity
for the judge’s interpretation. The Chow Chow
Illustrated standard is available on the Chow Chow
Club, Inc. website: http://chowclub.org and is very
helpful in visualizing the standard.
One of the key factors in evaluation is the balance
An experienced chow judge will understand the and proportion of the exhibit. This may be
negative impact that a poorly structured front, referred to as the “make and shape” of the dog.
incorrect gait or lack of breed-specific qualities, The Chow standards all require that our Chows
such as pigmentation, has to a breeding program be square and are quite explicit about the correct
and will thus appreciate and award the chows proportions for the breed.
which exhibit desirable traits. This judge will
approach each class with the hope of finding The judge must carefully examine the head
the exhibit which will offer the most positive of the chow to determine if there are any
overall influence to the breed. They will prioritize disqualifications. The AKC standard defines the
attributes based on that attribute’s importance breed disqualifications (which are all on the head):
to the soundness and type of our breed and will
keep in mind the origin of the breed and the
requirement to "always remember the working
origin of the breed."
Experience as a breeder will help the judge to
appreciate the importance of good structure,
balance and temperament. It will also help the
judge to realize that a larger ear or curl in the
tail is not as debilitating to the breed as the lack
of proper gait, labored breathing or entropion.
Judging a class of Chows can be as exacting as
grading a litter, without the benefit of a pedigree to
reference. Chow Chow Disqualifications (AKC standard)

Drop ear or ears. A drop ear is one which
breaks at any point from its base to its tip
or which is not carried stiffly erect but lies
parallel to the top of the skull.
Nose spotted or distinctly other color than
black, except in blue Chows which may have
solid blue or slate noses and cream Chows
which may have a range of nose colors.
The top surface or edges of the tongue red or
pink or with one or more spots of red or pink.
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