Follow-Ups to Answer from Expert Cait

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Katy wrote at 2007-01-08 00:51:50
I have a black, female chow-mix (american eskimo) who was 9 yrs first time she bit me.  She was sick w/an ear infection and on steroids. While giving her a pill, she pulled away, I reached to get her and BAM!  She bit me.  I blew it off to the meds and her being sick.  She is curious, protective, loving and smart.  She also has a stubborn streak and doesn't come when called - unless she wants to.  After the bite, she got a thump on the nose!

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kitty wrote at 2007-03-10 13:40:33
I own a two year old male chow and It upsets me to see their aggression pushed under the table.  Some breeds have the ability, like pitbulls and others have the desire, like chows to fight.   I took the time to research training, and socialized my dog from an early age. If anyone isn't ready to commit to that, you should never get a chow.  It isn't something that a first time dog owner should consider.  Harry, my chow is my best friend but I took the time to work out the kinks.  

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SALTnLIME wrote at 2008-04-26 01:12:14
Chow-Chows are wonderful pets, like any breed of dog they have their good points and bad. I had a chow who was wonderful, sweet, smart. When he hit 3 he began to become more and more "quick tempered" when I asked my vet about this she told me that it's common among Chows, dobbies, and something else which I don't remember.  This is because while they skull stops growing at about 2-2 1/2 their brain expand until they are around 3 years of age. Causing a headache which makes them have a shorter temper. This would be why dobbies and Chows are at a higher rate of "turning" on their owner. Two ibuprofen in the morning helped Dirk and he went back to my easy going loving boy.

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Ann wrote at 2011-06-14 03:21:23
I have a dog that the vet says is a chow-lab mix.  We have had her for about 8 yrs now. She was a stray.  I love her personality! She is very loving towards who she knows and aloof with who she doesn't. She is protective of our property and very protective about me...example, she always stands between me & whoever she doesn't know. But I've never witnessed her being aggressive towards anyone.  I'm no expert but I believe a lot has to do with how the dog is treated and trained.  Roxie is part of our family and she knows it.  We show her a lot of attention.  I also have two inside cats and she doesn't bother them, actually they all sleep on our bed together during the day! I personally believe that is why she is a kind dog because of how we treat her.  I think you will enjoy your chow, they are a very mellow dog.

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BethTara wrote at 2011-10-06 12:47:38
I adopted my 7 yr old chow mix, from a friend) just over a year ago. (he's Chow, German Shepherd, & Golden Retriever mix) I didn't know anything about the breed when I took him in, until I started looking for a new house to rent and was denied cuz Cooper was a Chow Mix. I was shocked! My dog, is well mannered, well trained and great with my 3 children ages 7,8 and 2 1/2. He is undeniably MY dog he follows me every where I go and when we went camping this summer he was fine around the other dogs and people! I think the hype about this breed is just like any other breed assumptions...it depends on how they are raised and trained! I must note, that Cooper has attached to me as his master but still listens to the husband as well and waits for the kids to get off the bus and whines when he sees it coming down the road, I ask him where's your kids and he jumps all-around barking excitedly til they come in and say "hi" to him.

Sorry, about the short story but obviously I love my dog :)  Enjoy your Chow!

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