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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.

fresh food

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
See The Farmer's Dog
fresh food

Ollie

Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes

  • Fresh and baked recipes
  • Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
  • Custom portions
  • 60% off first box
See Ollie
fresh food

Nom Nom

Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing

  • Pre-portioned pouches
  • Vet-formulated
  • Microbiome testing available
  • 50% off first order
See Nom Nom
fresh food

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
See Spot & Tango

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.

supplements

Cosequin (Nutramax)

The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement

  • #1 vet-recommended
  • NASC Quality Seal
  • Glucosamine + chondroitin
  • Clinically studied
See Cosequin (Nutramax)
supplements

Zesty Paws Allergy & Immune

Seasonal allergy + immune support chews

  • NASC Quality Seal
  • Seasonal allergy support
  • Salmon oil for skin
  • Chewable, dogs love them
See Zesty Paws Allergy & Immune

Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.

Health concerns to watch

hip dysplasia
elbow dysplasia
entropion
bloat (GDV)
hypothyroidism
autoimmune conditions
skin allergies

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.

Start the quiz →

Gear for Chow Chows

Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.

Training for Chow Chows

Matched to Chow Chow temperament (dignified, bright, serious-minded).

training

GoodPup

1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers

  • 1-on-1 live video sessions
  • Certified trainers
  • Custom per-dog plan
  • Weekly structure
See GoodPup
training

BAXTER & Bella

Online puppy training program, lifetime access

  • Lifetime membership
  • Self-paced video lessons
  • Puppy + adult content
  • Behavior troubleshooting
See BAXTER & Bella
training

Dogo

App-based training with daily structure

  • App-based daily plans
  • AI-guided feedback
  • Affordable monthly cost
  • Trick training library
See Dogo

GPS trackers for Chow Chows

Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.

gps tracker

Fi

Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking

  • Real-time GPS
  • Activity + sleep tracking
  • Escape alerts
  • 3-month battery
See Fi
gps tracker

Tractive

Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range

  • Attaches to any collar
  • Worldwide GPS coverage
  • Activity monitoring
  • Budget-friendly
See Tractive

Curious about their DNA?

Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.

dna

Embark

The most comprehensive dog DNA test

  • 350+ breeds identified
  • 250+ health conditions screened
  • Cornell-partnered science
  • Relatives finder
See Embark
dna

Wisdom Panel

Breed identification + health screening

  • 350+ breeds
  • Genetic health insights
  • Budget-friendly option
  • Fast results
See Wisdom Panel

Chow Chow questions, answered

How long do Chow Chows live?
Chow Chows typically live 8-12 years. Good nutrition, regular vet care, and weight management are the three biggest factors in reaching the top of that range.
How big do Chow Chows get?
Adult Chow Chows typically weigh 45-70 lbs and stand 17-20 inches at the shoulder. That makes them a medium breed.
How much exercise does a Chow Chow need?
Chow Chows are a low-activity breed. Plan on 30-60 minutes of gentle activity per day. Mental stimulation (training, puzzle toys) matters as much as physical exercise.
What health problems do Chow Chows commonly have?
Chow Chows are most prone to: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, entropion, bloat (GDV), hypothyroidism. Preventive vet visits, a quality diet, and weight management reduce risk on most of these. Reputable breeders screen for the genetic conditions.
Are Chow Chows hard to groom?
Chow Chows need high grooming — daily brushing, regular professional grooming (every 4-8 weeks), coat maintenance. Their double coat sheds heavily, especially during two seasonal coat-blows per year.
What should I feed a Chow Chow?
Blue-tongued ancient breed. ~1,000-1,300 kcal/day. Joint and skin health are primary concerns. Key nutrients to look for: glucosamine, omega-3, limited ingredients.
Are Chow Chows good for first-time owners?
Chow Chows are generally suitable for first-time owners with basic commitment. They're dignified, bright, serious-minded. Plan for consistent training from day one.

Ask Barkly about your Chow Chow

Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.