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Chow Chow




















The Chow Chow is a very ancient breed of dog, and may actually be one of the very first breeds developed. There are depictions of similar animals within 2,200 year old artwork!

The breed was developed to serve many purposes. They were hunting dogs, herding dogs, and guard dogs. They coats were even used for clothing, and they were also bred to be eaten!

Today, most Chow Chows are simply kept as pets. They have very protective personalities, and can be aggressive if not properly trained. (They are also one of the breeds that are frequently listed by insurance companies as high risk-- and can cause your rent or homeowners insurance to go up).

Chow Chows are best known for their very thick double coats. They come in many colors, including red, black, cream, and brown. They also are notable for their black/blue tongues, a trait only found in Chow Chows. The breed overall is very stocky, with straight back legs, a short face, and a curled tail.
Status : Domesticated
Location : China
Size : Height up to 22in (56cm), Weight up to 70lbs (32kg)
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Carnivora
Family : Canidae -- Genus : Canis -- Species : C. lupus -- Subspecies : C. l. familiaris
Image : Juriaan Schulman, Lily M
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