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10 Pawsome Fun Facts About Chow Chows You'll Adore

illustration of chow-chows
Dive into the fluffy world of Chow Chows as we unravel some fascinating and lesser-known tidbits about these lovable, lion-like canines!

1. Blueberry Pie Loving Chow Chows

Ever wonder why Chow Chows seem to be on a perpetual quest for blueberry pie? It's not their sweet tooth, but their mouth itself: Chow Chows have a unique bluish color in their lips and oral cavity due to a dominant gene that also causes their distinctive blue-black/purple tongue, a feature they share only with the Shar Pei breed.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Smurf-like Blue Tongue

If you've ever thought that attempting to lick a frozen pole might result in a tongue as blue as a Smurf's skin, look no further than the Chow Chow: a breed of dog with a naturally blue-black tongue that has captivated hearts and raised brows since it first pouted at us from the London Zoo in the 1820s. This fido-fashion forward hue is necessary for authenticating purebreds, but blue spots on tongues of other canine breeds are strictly poseurs and not a sign of Chow Chow lineage.
Source => akc.org

3. Fluffy Instagram Model Past Life

Before their life as fluffy Instagram models: Chow Chows were multi-talented canines, adept in guarding properties, hunting, and even mastering the art of sled-pulling.
Source => trupanion.com

4. Frosty Floof-Fiend Adventures

Forget the Abominable Snowman; the Frosty Floof-Fiend's the real hero: Chow Chows actually worked in China's chilly regions, using their thick fur to withstand harsh weather, traverse through heavy underbrush, and protected their humans as loyal guardians.
Source => a-z-animals.com

Canine Sherlock in a Teddy Bear Body

5. Canine Sherlock in a Teddy Bear Body

Beware the canine Sherlock Holmes trapped in a teddy bear's body: the Chow Chow isn't just a master of shedding fur, but also a scent-tracking pro! These lovable fluffs from China have a nose for hunting game and have even been recruited by law enforcement to sniff out drugs and explosives.
Source => thesmartcanine.com

6. Ancient Chinese Doggy Royalty

In the lavish world of ancient Chinese doggy royalty, where pampered pooches dined on exquisite dishes and napped on plush carpets, the Chow Chow was truly the "bark" of the town: Esteemed by the Han dynasty, these distinguished canines were bred by emperors for their guarding prowess and majestic appearance, with some stories even claiming that thousands of them were kept as loyal subjects, although no concrete evidence supports these extravagant claims.
Source => chowtales.com

7. Blue Tongue Cousins: Chow Chows and Shar-Peis

Feeling a little blue? So are the tongues of Chow Chows and Chinese Shar-Peis! Unlike pop-stars sporting blue tongues as a fashion statement, these fabulous fluffsters have tongues that are naturally born in shades of blue-black: This unique characteristic is a breed standard for mouth and tongue pigmentation, even suggesting a shared ancestry between Chow Chows and Shar-Peis. Fear not, newbie dog-spotters: blue spots on tongues in other breeds don't signify Chow Chow or Shar-Pei lineage, and aren't hereditary!
Source => akc.org

8. PhD in Bark Moderation

You might think that chow chows have a PhD in Barkology, but in reality, they know how to keep their woofers on a tight leash: Chow chows are actually quite selective with their barking habits, mainly saving their vocal prowess for situations like detecting danger or meeting strangers, and with some proper training, they can even master the fine art of barking in moderation – making them excellent furry companions!
Source => chowchowgalaxy.com

9. Smurfs and Chow Chows Unite!

What do Smurfs and Chow Chows have in common? They both have tongues as blue as a summer sky! But unlike our animated pals, Chow Chows have a reason to stick their tongues out: the breed boasts a unique blue-black tint as a result of their ancient Chinese heritage, where they earned the nickname "Puffy Lion Dogs."
Source => myfamilyvet.com

80s Chow Chow Celebrities

10. 80s Chow Chow Celebrities

Who let the Chow Chow out? Woof, Woof, Woof: Chow Chows were once the canine celebrities of the 1980s, adored by Martha Stewart, President Calvin Coolidge, and constituting a sizeable chunk of pooch populations. Catch a glimpse of their signature black-spotted tongues and you'll know that their legacy continues to live on in many mixed-breeds today.
Source => embarkvet.com

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