The Chow Chow might be a very misunderstood dog breed. As someone who grew up with these beautiful fluff balls, I know that they can be very aloof and they have their person that they stick with. However, there is more to this breed than meets the eye.
For some, the Chow Chow might not be the right choice. And that makes sense. But we think they may get a bad reputation because of their quiet nature and the fact that they can be seen as being more temperamental in nature.
So we decided to reach out to some experts to ask them why this breed gets such a bad rap. And luckily for us, we got some answers.
Why do Chow Chows have a bad reputation?
We specifically asked the experts why they thought this breed has a bad reputation, and these were the answers we received.
According to Matt Gehring, the CMO at Dutch Pet, "Chow Chows are misunderstood due to their independent nature and aloof personality. With the proper training and socialization early on, they can be affectionate pets."
And considering our own experience with Chow Chows, we have to agree. But what else did we learn from the experts?
Parham Raoufi, the founder of Paws Grooming Empire Limited in the UK, really dove into this question. And shared everything from why they are misunderstood to an example of what to expect.
"Chow Chows are often misunderstood due to their behaviour and physical appearance:
- Independent Nature: Unlike more openly affectionate breeds, Chow Chows are reserved and prefer to bond with one or two people. Their aloofness can be misinterpreted as hostility.
- Guarding Instincts: Historically bred as guard dogs, they can be wary of strangers, making them seem unfriendly.
- Improper Handling: Their stubbornness requires firm, consistent training. Inexperienced owners might struggle to manage them effectively.
- Stereotypes: Isolated incidents involving Chows may have fuelled misconceptions, though aggression is not inherent to the breed.
- Example: A well-socialised Chow Chow raised with proper training will often behave calmly around strangers but may not seek attention like a Labrador."
Honestly, we appreciate both experts for breaking down the reasons why the Chow Chow might struggle with their reputation and the way that the public views them.
As fans of this particular dog breed, we hope more people will give these pups a chance, especially since they really are a more misunderstoof breed. And of course, we would love to see these pups increasing in popularity like some other breeds such as the Labrador.