FORESTWAY CHOWS
John & Kimberley Tansek
P O Box 225
Monroe , Mi 48161
734-529-5694
e-mail chows@dundee.net
The
Chow
The Chow Chow,
often simply called the Chow, is one of the oldest breeds. Bred in
northern China since ancient times the Chow was raised to serve
many purposes. Hunting, herding, pulling and a watchdog were all
roles filled by this versatile canine. A Han Dynasty pottery model
dated from 206 BC clearly depicts a Chow, establishing the Chow as
one of the oldest breeds. The Chow was first imported into Europe
in the 18th century with other miscellaneous cargo (miscellaneous
cargo was nick named 'chow chow' in pidgin Chinese). The Chow then
slowly gained in popularity until Queen Victoria added one to her
kennel earning the breeds acceptance in Europe and later in the
United States.
Description
The Chow can have one of two different types of coat: either rough
or smooth. The most common coat is the long-haired or rough. The
smooth coated Chow has a short, hard, dense 'smooth' outer coat.
The rough and smooth are two distinct varieties of Chow and
although there are many rough coated Chows with fairly short coats
these should not be confused with the actual unique, smooth coats.
Most importantly, the Chow is unique in it's blue-black tongue and
stilted gait.
There are five colors in the Chow: red (light golden to deep
mahogany), black, blue, cinnamon (light fawn to deep cinnamon) and
cream. The predominant colors are black and red. Less common, the
so called 'dilute'
colors of cinnamon or blue do occur. Occasionally a cream will
appear, but usually this specimen will have a pink or flesh
colored nose such that it can not be shown according to the Chow
Clubs Breed Standard. The dilutes are not actually rare, and the
dilute color has nothing to do with a dog's value. The Chow's
worth depends not on his color, but how closely he approximates
the Breed Standard as recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The pigmentation in dilutes is seldom as blue-black as found in
the
reds or blacks. Finally, what should be stressed is that the color
does not make any Chow more or less valuable. The Chow is a
medium-size dog generally weighing 55 to 80 pounds. The average
height ranges from 17 to 21 inches at the withers. An average
sized Chow bitch would range from 55 to 65 pounds,
an average sized male would generally weigh 60 to 80 pounds. The
Chow should be balanced in that the height of the Chow at the
withers should form a square with the length of the Chow's body.
Perhaps the most unique feature of the Chow is the blue black
color of the tongue and tissues of the mouth. A Chow with any pink
coloration on the tongue is disqualified under the requirements of
the Breed Standard and can not be shown. The Chow's heavy head and
muzzle is surrounded by an off standing ruff. His eyes are almond
shaped and deep set, giving him the inscrutable mysterious look of
the Orient. The tail of the Chow lies on the back and is thick at
its root, tapering off to the tip, the tail should be high set.
The Chow has only a slight bend of the stifle and is straight in
the hocks rather than angulated There for, his unusual rear gait
appears choppy and stilted.
Personality and Socialization
The Chow is a highly intelligent dog and values his independence.
He should never be allowed to dominate the household, nor should
he be overly shy. He is amiable to being touched by strangers if
he has been introduced by one of his owners and appropriately
approached. Bad tempered Chows are not representative of the
breed, but are usually the result of indiscriminate breeding and a
woeful lack of socialization. Because some Chows are independent
and some Chows attach themselves to one person or one immediate
family, Chows should be socialized so that he is completely
amenable to being approached by strangers. Once you have picked up
a puppy, pet him and talk to him quietly. At first a puppy may
whine or cry, but should soon become accustom to your handling and
to your voice and will grow to like the experience. When a
stranger comes by to visit, pick up the puppy and hand him to the
visitor. The puppy should enjoy being handled by others, not just
by you or your immediate family. Although a Chow puppy may be very
friendly and well adjusted at home, even to strangers, any new
environment, like his first walk in a park may make him feel
threatened. When the puppy drops his tail or flattens his ears,
take that as a sure sign he feels uncomfortable, threatened or
apprehensive. Introduce your puppy to strangers and ask them to
squat down to the puppy's level. Let the puppy sniff their hand
then have him reach under the puppy's chin followed by petting and
scratching him on top of the puppy's head
Habits
The Chow is perhaps the cleanest dog of all. Most puppies are
easily housebroken by the age of eight weeks. The Chow has very
little body odor ("doggy" smell) if he is brushed on a regular
basis. He is a good eater and does not require a great deal of
exercise.
Training
An obedient Chow is a must. Puppy kindergarten should be started
by three months of age with a good trainer. Most Chows are
intelligent so they may be lead broken and trained easily although
at first, they may be bored. Chows are sensitive enough so that
correction can come from the tone of your voice
and not be physical means. Like any other canine, the Chow can
become a playmate for youngsters provided the Chow has been raised
with young children. The social Chow is a more stable, contented
dog than if he had been raised on his own. A Chow which is not
socialized and trained is a constant concern for his owner.
Ailments and Care
Generally, Chows are 'poor risks' when anesthesia is involved, so
surgery should only be performed if absolutely necessary. Many
Chows suffer from allergies which can cause the eyes to water. if
your Chow tears excessively, consult your veterinarian for advice.
The Chow is subject to heat prostration if left in a hot, closed
in area or in the sun. Never, never leave any pet in the car in
hot weather. If you travel with your Chow in extremely hot weather
your car should be air conditioned. The Chow needs to be brushed
at least weekly or more if possible. Grooming is essential to keep
the long, thick coat in peak, clean condition. Nails should be
trimmed regularly to a comfortable length. We recommend that you
neuter or spay your
companion at 5 to 6 months of age. This will lead to a longer,
healthier life for your companion (lower cancer risk, no unwanted
breeding and no heat cycles).
Confinement
Chows, like any other dog, should be kept in a fenced in area or
in the house where they have a good deal of freedom. Crate
training is also highly recommended.
How to Buy a Puppy
Although you may only want to buy a Chow for a pet, you will want
to purchase the best specimen you can get. Chow puppies which are
purchased from pet stores are rarely from good stock. A
prospective puppy buyer should ask the seller for a pedigree. If
the seller can not produce the pedigree for the puppy, in all
likelihood the puppy in question does not represent much quality.
The buyer should look at the puppy pedigree to ascertain if there
are any AKC champions. While champions in a pedigree are not a
guarantee of quality, it is more likely that a puppy with a
champion parent or grandparents is a better specimen of the breed.
The parents to the puppy should also be examined as they will give
you a very good idea on what the puppy will look like as an adult.
The buyer should receive the AKC registration slip and pedigree
for the puppy when the puppy is purchased. Alter purchasing a
puppy; he should be immediately taken to a veterinarian for a
health check up. A puppy will also need a series of vaccinations
and, depending on the season, be started on heart worm medication.
DOWNLOAD
PRINTABLE WORD DOCUMENT
(ABOUT THE CHOW)
Your pet should be spayed or neutered at 5 months of age.
Make sure your
vets are VERY careful with medications!
Make her /
his appointment with the vet for first thing in the
morning.
Make sure she /
he will be done FIRST... not later in the day.
Many vets have all
dogs come in first thing...then wait hours as they do each
surgery.
By being first she /
he will have less stress.
She / he will be
better hydrated & have more recover time while still at the
vets.
We allow vets to use
only 2 pre-medications.
Valium & Ketamine.
NO other
tranquilizers !!!
Many vets use
reversible tranquilizers ...
these reversible
drugs do not work on chows & many die due to their use.
The gas used on your
chow should be Isoflurane or Sevoflurane.
Both of these have
good results.
Your dog will not
need pain killers upon returning home.
After a typical spay
or neuter your chow should be able to come home the same day.
Books on Chows
The Book of the Chow Chow....by: Dr. Samuel Draper & Joan
McDonald Brearley
The World of the Chow Chow...by:Dr. Samuel Draper & Joan
McDonald Brearley
The Proper Care of Chow Chows...by: Bob & Love Banghart
Books on training
Dog Training for Dummies....by: Jack Volhard & Wendy Volhard
Dog Tricks for Dummies...by: Sarah Hodgson
Children's books on Chows
Little Black Chaing...by:
Dorothy K. L'Hommedieu....rare library book , can be VERY
expensive
Jolly Roger...A Dog of Hoboken...by:Daniel M. Pinkwater....library
book
Buster...( a series of several books ) by: Hisako Madokoro
Medical books on dogs
Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook... by: Delbert G. Carlson DVM.
& James M Giffin MD.
What's The Diagnosis
Just What the Doctor Ordered.... both by: Dr. Race Foster DVM.
& Dr. Marty Smith DVM.
Merck Veterinary Manual....online link...
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp
Helpful dog catalogs
Drs. Foster & Smith...800-826-7206...
www.DrsFosterSmith.com
PetEdge....800-738-3343....
www.PetEdge.com
Care-A-Lot...800-343-7680...
www.carealotpets.com
Chow Artists
www.winconline.com
Prior to purchasing your puppy, the breeder will have started his
"puppy shots" and will either have wormed him and/or had his stool
checked for parasites. They should offer you a written list of
what was given and when, what tests were done, and the results.
Puppy boosters can vary in content and time schedule given. The
puppy shots are generally started around 6 - 7 weeks and are given
every 3-5 weeks thereafter for a total of 4 puppy combo shots.
Additionally do not use Fort Dodge vaccines on your dog (there
have been several severe reactions in chows to Fort Dodge
vaccines). There are a variety of preventative shots and
medications available and your pup may or may not need them
depending on where you live and how much exposure your dog will
have to such things as other dogs, parks, wooded areas, etc. or
areas heavily infested with mosquitoes, fleas or ticks. Here are
some of the more common reasons for your pups shots and
medications.
DISTEMPER - This is a common viral disease, highly contagious and
spread by secretions from infected animals. It is easily destroyed
by disinfectants. Symptoms are: fever, watery nasal discharge,
yellow eye drainage, and loss of appetite. If ignored, distemper
can affect the respiratory, GI and central nervous system with
twitching, unsteadiness, weakness, paralysis and seizures. It can
be fatal, or result in serious chronic physical problems.
CANINE HEPATITIS - Not the same as the human form, this disease
primarily affects the liver, kidneys and the lining of the blood
vessels. Symptoms are various as this virus can be anywhere from
mild to fatal and can strike suddenly with rapid advancement. High
fevers, bloody diarrhea, refusal of food, painful movement,
jaundice, bleeding gums and sensitivity to light require immediate
vet intervention.
PARVOVIRUS - Highly contagious between dogs, it is transmitted by
contaminated droplets and stool. It can easily be transported from
kennel to kennel on shoes, crates or other inanimate objects.
Affecting the GI tract, bone marrow, lymph nodes and heart, the
symptoms are: abdominal pain, fever, bloody diarrhea, depression
with loss of appetite and difficulty breathing. It is highly fatal
to puppies. This virus is resistant to most disinfectants.
PARAINFLUENZA - Is another cause of Kennel Cough. Although
parainfluenza is often a mild respiratory infection in otherwise
healthy dogs, it can be severe in puppies or debilitated dogs.
CORONAVIRUS - Coronavirus is transmitted by contact with infected
saliva and/or stool. The stool is usually noted to be
yellow-orange in color, foul smelling, watery, and often bloody.
Dehydration, weight loss and death can occur. It can reoccur 3-4
weeks after the initial symptoms subside.
NO !!!!! LEPTOSPIROSIS - Transmitted through the urine of infected
animals, it has been on the rise in the past few years. It is
contagious to humans. Symptoms are: vomiting, depression, kidney
pain with frequent urination, ulcers of the mouth/tongue, and a
thick brown coating of the tongue. Both bloody vomiting Both
bloody vomiting and stools may occur. This shot should NEVER be
given to chows! This shot can cause Anaphylactic Shock & can KILL
chows !!!
HEARTWORM - Contracted from the bite of an infected mosquito, it
grows into a long, threadlike worm that makes it home in your
dog's heart. Symptoms are: coughing, decreased exercise tolerance,
and weight loss. Advanced stages will have a swollen abdomen,
fever and difficulty breathing. It is difficult to treat, but left
untreated, it is fatal. We feel that you should use only Heartgard
Plus not a generic! This should be given 12 months a year.
KENNEL COUGH - Caused by several different bacteria and viruses,
such as canine parainfluenza, canine adenovirus-2 and bordatella
bronchoseptica. Severity of symptoms varies with age and condition
of dog. To puppies, older or debilitated dogs, it can be fatal.
Symptoms are: spasms of dry, harsh coughing, usually followed by
gagging or retching, fever, nasal discharge and depression.
LYMES DISEASE - Transmitted by ticks during their feeding.
Symptoms are: a rash that is "target" like in appearance, fever,
lameness caused by joint stiffness/swelling, and paralysis.
Treatment is difficult and can extend over a long period of time.
RABIES - Transmitted via infected saliva and affects the brain.
Symptoms are personality changes, staring off into space,
sensitivity to light, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. As the virus
progresses, the dog will either become agitated and aggressive, or
paralytic - the mouth drops open with the tongue hanging out,
drooling, coughing and pawing at the mouth. Once symptoms develop,
it is fatal. Definite diagnosis can be made by autopsy only.
GIARDA - Caused by contaminated food or water from an infected
animals stool, most often a wild animal or cross contamination at
a dog park or other place where many dogs gather. It is usually
asymptomatic in adult dogs, but will cause diarrhea, possibly
mixed with blood and mucous in puppies. Diagnosis can be
difficult, but once found, is easily treated. The source of the
giardia contamination must be removed.
COCCIDIA - Very common in the canine population, it is estimated
that 80% of all domesticated dogs are infected with coccidia.
Again, like giardia, it is asymptomatic in adult dogs, but the
spores are shed in stool, recontaminating the ground for
youngsters to pick up once they trod through contaminated areas.
It is also easily treated, but often recurs due to the spores shed
and ground contamination. Luckily, treatment is cheap, however
must be given for 21 days. Immaculate yard pick-up of feces is a
must during this time. There is no way known to completely
decontaminated the yard/play area, although it is surmised that a
good winter freeze will do the trick. I suspect that it is just
the pup coming into adulthood that ceases the symptoms, rather
than a winter freeze.
Forestway Chows
John & Kim Tansek
734-529-5694
chows@dundee.net
forestwaychows.com
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