Page 86 - Chow Life - Summer 2016 Issue
P. 86
ExcerptAKC Gazette
by Love Banghart
Chow Chow Essentials of good coat care Regular Grooming
Coat Care Healthy Diet A MUST! At least weekly, the
coat should be thoroughly brushed
One of the most beautiful sights The coat is a reflection of inner and all mats removed. Care should
in the show ring or the home is health. A well balanced diet with be given to brushing the undercoat
a beautiful Chow Chow with a adequate protein and fat levels is as well as the outer coat. A high
magnificent coat (rough or smooth). essential. A daily tablespoon of volume cool air dryer is a great tool
The AKC breed standard describes flax seed oil added to the food will for blowing dust and dander from
the Chow Chow as “Clothed help to maintain a healthy skin and the coat prior to brushing. Always
in a smooth or an offstanding coat. Please remember that constant finely mist the coat with distilled
rough double coat, the Chow is a availability of clean fresh water is of water from a spray bottle prior and
masterpiece of beauty, dignity and utmost importance. during brushing. Brushing a dry
naturalness. “ coat will cause coat damage. A
Ample Exercise small amount of conditioner can be
The rough and smooth coated added to the spray. We recommend
Chows are both double coated. Fresh air and exercise promote the use of a pin brush or boar bristle
The coat length varies markedly general good health, increasing brush to stimulate healthy coat
on different Chows and thickness, circulation and the efficient growth. A good metal comb is great
texture and condition should be metabolism of a good diet. for mat removal and adding the
given greater emphasis than length. finishing touch to the well groomed
Obvious trimming or shaping is Bathing Chow Chow.
undesirable.
We recommend bathing the chow Clean Grooming
every two weeks if being shown and Equipment
at least monthly for other chows.
Use only a good dog shampoo and Oh so important! Do not use a
dirty brush or comb on your Chow.
rinse thoroughly….then rinse Equipment should be cleaned
again! Any residual shampoo with an anti-bacterial cleaner at
least monthly. Metal combs that
can cause skin irritations. are rusted or corroded should be
Dry with a cool air dryer discarded since they will cause
and groom, including coat damage that will take several
ear cleaning and nail months to recover.
cutting or grinding.
Clean environment – Every
effort must be made to rid the area
from parasites. Fleas and ticks can
destroy a lovely coat and cause skin
irritation. Floors, dog bedding and
rugs should be cleaned regularly to
remove dirt and dander. The Chow
Chow should be provided a dry,
cool place in which to live. Heat and
excessive moisture can cause serious
health problems as well as coat
problems.
This article first appeared in the October
2008AKC Gazette and is reprinted with
permission. To read the online Gazette, visit www.
akc.org/pubs.
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