Breed guide
Chow Chow
Ancient Chinese breed. Aloof, dignified, blue-tongued. Not for first-time owners. Grooming is a serious commitment.
AKC Rank
#74
Size
medium (45-70 lbs)
Life Expectancy
8-12 yrs
Activity
low
Feeding a Chow Chow
Blue-tongued ancient breed. ~1,000-1,300 kcal/day. Joint and skin health are primary concerns.
Key nutrients
- •glucosamine
- •omega-3
- •limited ingredients
Portion notes: Two meals daily. Watch weight — low activity + heavy coat masks fat gain.
Fresh food picks for Chow Chows
Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for medium dogs.
The Farmer's Dog
Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog
- •Human-grade fresh food
- •Portioned per dog
- •Vet-developed recipes
- •50% off first box
Ollie
Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes
- •Fresh and baked recipes
- •Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
- •Custom portions
- •60% off first box
Nom Nom
Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing
- •Pre-portioned pouches
- •Vet-formulated
- •Microbiome testing available
- •50% off first order
Spot & Tango
Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice
- •Fresh or UnKibble options
- •Human-grade ingredients
- •Shelf-stable storage option
- •50% off first order
First-year cost
What a Chow Chow actually costs year one
Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).
First-year total
$3,290-$7,380
Ongoing years run $2,570-$5,870 (no gear + training one-times).
Food (year one)
Fresh food subscription
$1,450-$2,400
Gear (one-time)
Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys
$320-$460
Vet care
Wellness + breed-specific
$720-$1,550
Grooming
high grooming needs
$400-$1,200
Training
Puppy class + supplies
$150-$500
Supplements
Breed-matched, optional
$0-$720
Other first-year
Vaccines, neuter, DNA test
$250-$550
Pet insurance (estimate)
Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.
$718-$1,256/yr
Estimates based on US market averages for medium dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.
Supplements for Chow Chows
Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.
Cosequin (Nutramax)
The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement
- •#1 vet-recommended
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Glucosamine + chondroitin
- •Clinically studied
Zesty Paws Allergy & Immune
Seasonal allergy + immune support chews
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Seasonal allergy support
- •Salmon oil for skin
- •Chewable, dogs love them
Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.
Health concerns to watch
Lion-like mane requires serious grooming commitment.
Aloof and independent — not a cuddler, not eager to please.
Entropion is common; surgical correction often needed.
Can be protective and standoffish with strangers.
Is your Chow Chow scratching?
Chow Chows are prone to skin and allergy issues. Take our 2-minute itch triage quiz.
Gear for Chow Chows
Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.
Crate
for Chow Chows
Harness
for Chow Chows
Bed
for Chow Chows
Collar
for Chow Chows
Leash
for Chow Chows
Slow feeder bowl
for Chow Chows
Chew toy
for Chow Chows
As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.
Training for Chow Chows
Matched to Chow Chow temperament (dignified, bright, serious-minded).
GoodPup
1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers
- •1-on-1 live video sessions
- •Certified trainers
- •Custom per-dog plan
- •Weekly structure
BAXTER & Bella
Online puppy training program, lifetime access
- •Lifetime membership
- •Self-paced video lessons
- •Puppy + adult content
- •Behavior troubleshooting
Dogo
App-based training with daily structure
- •App-based daily plans
- •AI-guided feedback
- •Affordable monthly cost
- •Trick training library
GPS trackers for Chow Chows
Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.
Fi
Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking
- •Real-time GPS
- •Activity + sleep tracking
- •Escape alerts
- •3-month battery
Tractive
Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range
- •Attaches to any collar
- •Worldwide GPS coverage
- •Activity monitoring
- •Budget-friendly
Curious about their DNA?
Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.
Embark
The most comprehensive dog DNA test
- •350+ breeds identified
- •250+ health conditions screened
- •Cornell-partnered science
- •Relatives finder
Wisdom Panel
Breed identification + health screening
- •350+ breeds
- •Genetic health insights
- •Budget-friendly option
- •Fast results
Chow Chow questions, answered
How long do Chow Chows live?▾
How big do Chow Chows get?▾
How much exercise does a Chow Chow need?▾
What health problems do Chow Chows commonly have?▾
Are Chow Chows hard to groom?▾
What should I feed a Chow Chow?▾
Are Chow Chows good for first-time owners?▾
Ask Barkly about your Chow Chow
Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.