Page 38 - Chow Life - Summer 2018

THE CHOW CHOW

BREED STANDARD

Official AKC Standard of the Chow Chow
(Effective January 1, 2006)

General Appearance other than square. Distance from tip of
elbow to ground is half the height at the
Characteristics - An ancient breed of withers. Floor of chest level with tips of
northern Chinese origin, this all - purpose elbows. Width viewed from the front and
dog of China was used for hunting, rear is the same and must be broad. It
herding, pulling and protection of the is these proportions that are essential to
home. While primarily a companion true Chow type. In judging puppies, no
today, his working origin must always be allowance should be made for their failure
remembered when assessing true Chow to conform to these proportions.
type. A powerful, sturdy, squarely built,
upstanding dog of Arctic type, medium
in size with strong muscular development Substance - Medium in size with strong
and heavy bone. The body is compact, muscular development and heavy between the eyes beginning at the base of
short coupled, broad and deep, the tail set bone. Equally objectionable are snipy, the muzzle and extending up the forehead;
high and carried closely to the back, the fine boned specimens and overdone, by the correct eye shape and placement
whole supported by four straight, strong, ponderous, cloddy specimens. In and by the correct ear shape, carriage
sound legs. Viewed from the side, the hind comparing specimens of different sex, and placement. Excessive loose skin is
legs have little apparent angulation and due allowance must be made in favor of not desirable. Wrinkles on the muzzle
the hock joint and metatarsals are directly the bitches who may not have as much do not contribute to expression and are
beneath the hip joint. It is this structure head or substance as do the males. There not required. Eyes dark brown, deep
which produces the characteristic shorter, is an impression of femininity in bitches as set and placed wide apart and obliquely,
stilted gait unique to the breed. The large compared to an impression of masculinity of moderate size, almond in shape. The
head with broad, flat skull and short, in dogs. correct placement and shape should
broad and deep muzzle is proudly carried create an Oriental appearance. The eye
and accentuated by a ruff. Elegance Head rims black with lids which neither turn
and substance must be combined into a in nor droop and the pupils of the eyes
well balanced whole, never so massive Proudly carried, large in proportion to the clearly visible. Serious Faults Entropion
as to outweigh his ability to be active, size of the dog but never so exaggerated or ectropion, or pupils wholly or partially
alert and agile. Clothed in a smooth or as to make the dog seem top - heavy or obscured by loose skin. Ears small,
an offstanding rough double coat, the to result in a low carriage. Expression moderately thick, triangular in shape with
Chow is a masterpiece of beauty, dignity essentially scowling, dignified, lordly, a slight rounding at the tip, carried stiffly
and naturalness. Essential to true Chow discerning, sober and snobbish, one of erect but with a slight forward tilt. Placed
type are his unique blue - black tongue, independence. The scowl is achieved by wide apart with the inner corner on top
scowling expression and stilted gait. a marked brow with a padded button of of the skull. An ear which flops as the dog
skin just above the inner, upper corner of moves is very undesirable. Disqualifying
each eye; by sufficient play of skin to form Fault - Drop ear or ears. A drop ear is one
Size, Proportions, frowning brows and a distinct furrow which breaks at any point from its base
Substance to its tip or which is not carried stiffly
Size - The average height of adult erect but lies parallel to the top of the
specimens is 17 to 20 inches at the skull. Skull The top skull is broad and flat
withers but in every case consideration of from side to side and front to back. Coat
overall proportions and type should take and loose skin cannot substitute for the
precedence over size. correct bone structure. Viewed in profile,
the toplines of the muzzle and skull
are approximately parallel, joined by a
Proportions - Square in profile and close moderate stop. The padding of the brows
coupled. Distance from forechest to may make the stop appear steeper than it
point of buttocks equals height is. The muzzle is short in comparison to
at the highest points of the the length of the top skull but never less
withers. Serious Fault - Profile
than one - third of the head length. The
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