Thinking Oh Getting a smooth Chow Chow
I love the Akita Inu breed so much, but it is in terrible shape here. There really aren't any "mentors" in the Japanese breed in North America. getting a dog from japan is an option as I have all of the connections but starting at $5K that is tough in today's economy. It would be nice to be able to pick up the phone and talk to someone once in a while too :)
I have been thinking about what I love in a dog. I love the independant nature and quiteness of the Akita Inu. I love the curled tail that doesn't bump into things all of the time.
I like the confidence.
From what I have read Chows are very much the same way. I love the look of the smooths, especially the black smooths.
Does anyone have any experience with Chows?
I have been thinking about what I love in a dog. I love the independant nature and quiteness of the Akita Inu. I love the curled tail that doesn't bump into things all of the time.
I like the confidence.
From what I have read Chows are very much the same way. I love the look of the smooths, especially the black smooths.
Does anyone have any experience with Chows?
Comments
http://forum.chowchow.org/
Truth be told I love the Akita Inu so much, just not so much most of the people in the breed. One of my dear friends and mentors Gary Bryne (Akakuro) passed away last year and it kind of took the remaining wind out of my sails. The situation of no breed split in the USA is likely to continue for a very long time.
Gary and I had discussions as to our dissapointment with the Japanese Akita fancy. He also had Chows and he told me that his focus was turning to Chows because the fancy was so much better and no crossbreeding problem to deal with. That all sounds really appealing.
My parents have friends with ChowChows. Both owned pairs, black and red & black and cinnamon. As with any dog, as long as they are socialized and well-taken care of , they are great animals. I played with "guard" Chows as a little one (like, say around three or four) and they were amazing with me from the first time they met me. I remember telling my mom i wanted to take the "teddy bears" home. My mum says they were even a bit protective. The other group, belonging to her neighbors, were also very loving. They were perhaps a bit friendlier than the "guard" ones were. (I use the " " marks because I do not believe they were actually trained as guard dogs, but their owner said they had protective personalities and called them his guard dogs). I have also dog-sat for a lab/chow mix. She was a little stand-offish, and we had one incident, though I know it was totally my fault. Considering we only met officially a few days ago, and she let me wipe her paws down by the end of our time together, I'd say we both did well. :0)
I have heard horror stories, and my room-mates toddler was bit by a chow. However, I know that particular chow is very old and has been under-socialized. I would say this breed ranks right there with any other in "the more you know, the better off you are" category.
http://www.dogcastradio.com/episode/127_episode_27__chow_chows_and_pads.htm
I never heard of a smooth coated chow, but they're very nice looking dogs when I was a kid I always wanted a chow chow as a pet, but my dad just see them as bad dog same with rottis and pits. =\