How to Groom a Chow Chow

Chow Chows are one of the oldest recorded breeds of dogs. People have sculpted their images in artwork from the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 22 A.D.). These dogs are intelligent, independent minded and somewhat stubborn and bossy. Chow Chows have a high maintenance grooming regimen that requires a regular grooming every week and a full grooming every 4 to 6 weeks. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Slicker brush
• Metal combs (wide and regular tooth)
• Mat splitter
• Scissors
• Clippers

1. Brush and comb the dog several times per week using slicker brushes, metal combs and mat splitters as needed. Chow Chows have lots of hair in their dense undercoats which you must remove to prevent tangling and knotting.

2. Remove shed hair before you bathe your Chow Chow. Use detangling products when you bathe your dog to make it easier to remove hair from the undercoat. These products also make the process less painful for your dog.

3. Clean ears regularly. Use scissors to clip out excess hair from the ears, but be careful to hold the dog's head still in case they jerk around.

4. Trim toenails when necessary with clippers.

Tips & Warnings

• This breed has a life expectancy of approximately 15 years.
• These dogs generally weigh 45 to 70 lb., and generally range in height from 18 to 22 inches.
• It was an ancient belief that the dark part of a Chow Chow's mouth, which you see when it barks, could ward off evil spirits.
• Any shed hair you don't remove can tangle or mat easily over time or when the dog gets damp or wet.
• This breed is prone to hip dysplasia.
• Chow Chows commonly have an eyelid abnormality which can cause a condition called entropion. This causes the dog to suffer sever eye irritation but surgery can resolve the problem.