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Chow Hua's tongue sticking out. Description of the dog breed with a blue or purple tongue (chow chow). Characteristics of the Shar Pei breed

This is the cutest breed of dog, very soft and fluffy, similar to a bear.

They have a nice, warm and soft wool that can even be used to knit socks!

Why does the Chow Chow have an unusual tongue? blue? About this and much more in detailed description breeds further.

The Chow Chow breed has changed many names over its history: the Tibetan Mastiff, and the barbarian dog; but for almost a century they have been called “chow-chow”.

There are only two real versions of the origin of the name: according to the first, the dog got its name from the “Chu” dog, and according to the other, the breed was christened by English merchants who traded spices.

On a Chinese bas-relief from 150 BC. has already been depicted hunting dog, similar in appearance to a chow chow, which gives grounds to assert that this breed- one of the first primitives to evolve from the wolf. Later they began to be used for reindeer herding, riding, guarding and hunting.

The absence of inbreeding in the breed was maintained by Buddhist monks.

The refreshment of blood was carried out through the exchange of producers between monasteries.

The first information about chow chow came to Europe thanks to Marco Polo, as he for a long time lived in Tibet, the homeland of another In England, the first individuals appeared in the 30s of the 19th century.

The proud dog we are accustomed to today is more a product of British selection than the ancient Chinese Chow Chow.

Description of the breed

FCI Standard No. 205 dated January 27, 2011 “Chow-chow”
Group 5 “Spitz and primitive breeds”
Section 5 “Asian Spitz and related breeds”

The weight of a male reaches 32 kg, of a female - 27 kg.
The height of males is 48-56 cm, females 46-51 cm.

The Chow Chow is a strong, well-balanced dog that comes in. It has a bluish-black tongue, medium-sized eyes, clear, oval shape.

Unique in its stilted gait- a relatively short stride, the hind legs do not rise high, barely touching the ground, reminiscent of the movement of a pendulum when viewed from the side. This characteristic, special, short stride, gait allows you to move freely, easily and with a reserve of endurance.

HEAD Medium length, wide from base to end.
EYES Dark, oval-shaped, medium-sized and clean. Eyes that match the coat color are acceptable in blue and cinnamon dogs.
NOSE Large and wide, black (with the exception of cream and almost white dogs, in which a light-colored nose is acceptable), and in blue and cinnamon dogs - the same color (but black is preferable in all cases).
EARS Small, thick, slightly rounded at the tips, tightly packed together, giving the typical frowning expression on the muzzle.
NECK Powerful, voluminous, not short, set firmly on the shoulders and slightly curved.
BREAST Wide and deep. The ribs are well rounded but not barrel-shaped.
PAWS Small, round, cat-like, with good support on the fingers.
TAIL Set on high, lies tightly on the back.

There are two varieties of chow chow short-haired and long-haired:

  1. In shorthaired- short, dense, straight, upright standing wool, non-fitting, plush structure.
  2. In long-haired- rich, abundant, dense, straight and distant coat, but not excessively long. The guard hair is of a coarse structure, with a soft fluffy undercoat.

The following photos clearly show the short-haired and then the long-haired varieties.




The color must be clean:

  • cinnamon (cinnamon color);
  • black;
  • red;
  • blue;
  • ginger;
  • cream;
  • white.

Shades are allowed, in this case the back of the thighs and the bottom of the tail are lighter in color, but in no case should there be spots.

Why does the Chow Chow have a blue tongue? Some researchers believe that the chow chow unusual color language due to its origin from extinct polar wolves, which had clearly defined tongue pigmentation.

There is also an opinion that the presence of a Chow Chow's tongue of this particular color is associated with its origin from an animal that was an intermediate link between a dog and a small Asian bear.

The Chinese themselves offer a wonderful legend that explains the unusual color of the Chow Chow’s tongue: a very, very, very long time ago he licked a broken piece of the sky. It is our right to choose which version to take on faith.

Character, abilities, skills

This is not the most active breed, has a strong sense of home ownership, is proud and independent. It is loyal only to its owners, so strangers should not try to win the dog’s attention.

Showing both timidity and aggression is not part of the behavior of a well-bred Chow Chow. They can be very stubborn, not wanting to do the same exercise several times. performs reluctantly, as if doing a big favor.

It's worth being prepared for brisk daily walks. Despite little activity throughout the day, the Chow Chow needs to satisfy its thirst for play to maintain mental and physical health.

If you are planning to get another animal besides the Chow, be careful - they are very love to demonstrate their superiority over other animals, So tolerance in puppies needs to be taught from a very young age.

The innate stern expression of the muzzle also reflects the internal attitude towards others.

Usually, dogs in a family choose only one owner; the rest are friendly. They are indifferent to children, but also Child bullying will not be tolerated. He constantly changes his location and does not like to stay in one place for a long time.

These are wonderful friends who, however, know their worth. An excellent security guard, along with the fact that they have a strictly expressed sense of home.

Conditions of detention

Before you get a Chow Chow, make sure you have the following items in your home:

  • dishes;
  • bathing products (only high-quality shampoo and conditioner are suitable);
  • metal comb with sparse teeth for combing;
  • hair dryer for drying and styling hair after a full bath;
  • collar with leash for walking (according to age).

The Chow Chow's coat does not mat and is self-cleaning. You should comb your dog once a week with a metal comb, but use a slicker brush only when shedding actively. You need to get used to the collar with puppy age, as well as washing paws, because this breed does not like to bathe at all.

How long do Chow Chows live? Life expectancy directly depends on the conditions of detention and averages 10-12 years.

Nutrition

What to feed your chow chow? It is allowed to feed only one type of food: either “natural” () or factory-made. You cannot mix them - it will lead to negative consequences.

If factory feed is selected, then it must be of class super premium, this has a positive effect on the health and beauty of your pet’s coat. It is important not to overfeed the dog and provide daily active walks.

Due to its phlegmatic temperament, the breed is susceptible to obesity, which results in joint dysplasia.

Pros and cons

Main advantages breeds:

  • incredibly beautiful;
  • devotees;
  • persistent;
  • don't smell.

Flaws:

  • wayward, do not obey commands well - need firmness and affection;
  • susceptible to diseases (glaucoma, melanoma, difficult childbirth).

The dog is perfect for people with strong character, purposeful, who need a one and only friend.

Additionally, check out the video about the Chow Chow dog breed:


Chow-chow is one of the most ancient and mysterious breeds: dog experts are sure that dogs of this variety were found more than three thousand years ago! And all this time, lovers of the breed were wondering: why does the Chow Chow have a blue tongue?




During the life of a Chow Chow, the color of the tongue can change several times: from rich black to light lilac-blue. The color will depend on the dog’s health, his morale, or even the weather! The tongue becomes lighter in the heat or if the dog is experiencing severe anxiety.

According to science...

Despite the fact that the Chow Chow breed has been known for so long, scientists cannot explain why the tongue of these dogs is purple. Of course, there are certain versions and legends. For example, some are sure that distant relatives Chow-chows were rare polar wolves that became extinct several thousand years ago, and these dogs owe their tongue color to their distant ancestors.


The Chow Chow breed is often credited with being related to bears: this is to blame appearance dogs, they very much resemble small fluffy bear cubs. Many dog ​​experts think that the Chow is a cross between Samoyeds and bears or Elkhounds, Keyhounds or even Pomeranian Spitz. In the Chinese province of Canton, the Chow Chow is simply called “black tongue”, wolf dog or bear dog.

In addition, in China there are two varieties of Chow Chow: purebred and “bastard” Chow, which is a meat type of dog. “Bastards” are distinguished by a more pointed head shape, and their tongues are spotted - this is the case in purebreds. serious defect breeds

It is also possible that the homeland of the Chow Chow is not China at all: some are sure that the dogs got there on trade caravans from Mongolia. Chows, in turn, came to Mongolia from Siberia, and even before that they lived in the Arctic. This version seems quite plausible: animals living in harsh climates with low oxygen levels can adapt to environment. In modern times, blue tongues indicate an acute lack of oxygen, and therefore similar phenomenon may be explained by mutational features.



How are the puppies?


It is noteworthy that Chow Chow puppies are born with regular pink tongues; the color begins to change only a month after birth. Every year the pigmentation becomes more intense. When choosing a puppy, breeders advise paying attention to the tongue.

As a rule, new home puppies are looking for after one and a half months, and if by this time the tongue has not acquired desired color or there are stains on it - it is better to refuse the purchase. Pigmentation problems may indicate not only a breed defect, but also health problems.


If you believe the legends

There are a huge number of legends and tales in China, and a mysterious breed with purple tongue were also not spared. According to one of the “versions”, the color of the chow-chow’s tongue was due to its... Courage!

According to legend, during the creation of the world, God first created the earth and populated it with numerous animals, and then began to “decorate” the sky. While the Creator was distributing the stars across the heavens, one of the pieces of the sky broke off and fell to the ground. All living creatures were frightened and tried to hide, and only the chow-chow dog dared to approach a piece of heaven and lick it. This is how the brave dog’s tongue acquired a heavenly hue.

Of course, the Chow Chow from this legend is very similar to its modern relatives: dogs of this breed are distinguished by their curiosity, persistence and confidence. It can be assumed that a true Chow Chow will not be afraid of something that will cause many other animals to seek shelter.

Do you love dogs? long hair? Are you attracted to fluffy “bear cubs” who are cute, funny and powerful at the same time? Then the Chow Chow dog breed is what you need. This dog will never go unnoticed, its external characteristics are very striking. Chow chows are compared to both a bear and a lion - they are really just as furry and strong.

History of the breed

The Chow Chow is a very ancient breed; there is evidence that these dogs have lived for more than two thousand years. Scientists studying DNA suggest that their ancestors were wolves. Perhaps chow chows really originated from northern wolves, lived in cold regions, and then migrated to China. It was in this country that the main development of the breed took place. Life path The Chow Chow was complex because only the nobility had dogs as guards and shepherds, while commoners perceived them as a source of food and warm fur. In North Korea, chow chow is still eaten and considered a delicacy.

During the formation of the breed, the ancestors of the Chow Chow were Spitz, Tibetan Mastiffs and Great Danes. For the purity of the breed, thanks must be given to the Buddhist monks, they were engaged in selection and preservation of the data obtained. There is an interesting myth that says that chow chows were guides for monks between the worlds of people and spirits during astral travel and prayers.
For a long time, the breed was known only in Asia; Marco Polo brought the chow chow to Europe from his trip to Tibet. At the beginning of the 19th century, dogs appeared in England and quickly gained recognition and became popular.

A purebred Chow Chow must have five mandatory traits; they show the quality of the breed. This is a very thick coat with a lush and dense undercoat, black or dark blue tongue, fluffy and curved tail, straight hind legs(knee and hock joints are at an angle of 90 degrees), small ears perpendicular to the head.

The chow chow's blue tongue comes from wolves - this is what researchers of the breed think. Many centuries ago, wolves lived on Earth, who also had a blue tongue; they were probably the ancestors of the chow chow. There is also a legend that when God created the sky, a chow-chow dog stood nearby and licked its edge and its tongue became colored. By the way, puppies have a pink tongue, it changes color over time.

Among owners and breeders, Chow Chows are considered capable dogs, although according to the rating smart breeds, these animals rank 77 out of 80. The study revealed low learning and training abilities. But the Chow Chow has a reputation for being very clean dogs.

Also in the United States of America, the meeting of a person and a Chow Chow dog is not an insured event, since it is believed that these animals are capable of aggression.









Breed standard

The height at the withers of the Chow Chow dog is 45-57 cm, the body is compact and strong. The back is straight, wide, powerful, the chest is well developed, the legs are straight, rear joints connected at right angles. Due to the structural features of the limbs, the paws move parallel and forward; the characteristic gait of the Chow Chow is called stilted. The head is massive, there is a sharp transition from the forehead to the muzzle. The muzzle itself is short, wide, very slightly pointed or blunt. The eyes are oval, small, deep-set. The ears are small, stand perpendicular and slightly tilted forward, creating a “visor”. The tongue, gums and palate are dark blue or purple.

Dogs of the Chow Chow breed can be black, red, red, blue, cinnamon, and cream. The color is always monochromatic; the standard does not allow spotting, stripes, or multi-colors. The coat stands up, there is a dense undercoat, the pile can be long or short. Chow chows are not cut; dogs are combed and combed if desired.

Purpose and character

Previously, Chow Chows were used as guard, guard or herding dogs, but nowadays they are bred more for decorative purposes or as a companion. The character of dogs depends greatly on gender. Males are considered calm and calm, while females are more active, inquisitive, and cunning. With outward composure, the Chow Chow does not tolerate strangers on its territory and is quite capable of aggression; it can get into fights with other dogs.

Representatives of the breed, although strong and powerful, love to be lazy. It’s especially difficult physical activity for those individuals who live in warm countries, it is too hot for them. You should not encourage your pet’s desire for an imposing lifestyle, overweight, hypotension, obesity can significantly shorten the life of an animal and ruin its character. Interestingly, chow chows copy the behavior of their owner, so lead active image life and your dog will be physically developed and healthy.

In the heat, you need to take measures to cool your pet, leave it in the shade, cool, as heat stroke is possible. Special attention and eyes require care; daily eye and eyelid hygiene is mandatory. Puppies require careful coat care while they are covered with fluff and during the period of change from fluff to wool. If adult dog brush regularly with a special brush, it will not leave its fur everywhere even during the molting period.

As you know, the Chow Chow is one of the most ancient and mysterious breeds: dog experts are sure that dogs of this variety were found more than three thousand years ago! Evidence is a Chinese figurine dating back to the Han Dynasty, which is 206–220 BC. And all this time, lovers of the breed were wondering: why does the Chow Chow have a blue tongue?

During the life of a Chow Chow, the color of the tongue can change several times: from rich black to light lilac-blue. The color will depend on the dog’s health, his morale, or even the weather! The tongue becomes lighter in the heat or if the dog is experiencing severe anxiety.

According to science...

Despite the fact that the Chow Chow breed has been known for so long, scientists cannot explain why the tongue of these dogs is purple. Of course, there are certain versions and legends. For example, some are sure that the distant relatives of the chow chow were rare polar wolves, which became extinct several thousand years ago, and these dogs owe the color of their tongue precisely to these distant ancestors.

The Chow Chow breed is often credited with being related to bears: the appearance of the dogs is to blame for this, they very much resemble small fluffy bear cubs. Many dog ​​experts think that the Chow is a cross between Samoyeds and bears or Elkhounds, Keyhounds or even Pomeranians. In the Chinese province of Canton, the Chow Chow is simply called “black tongue”, wolf dog or bear dog.

In addition, in China there are two varieties of Chow Chow: purebred and “bastard” Chow, which is a meat type of dog. “Bastards” are distinguished by a more pointed head shape, and their tongues are spotted - in purebreds this is a serious defect of the breed.

It is also possible that the homeland of the Chow Chow is not China at all: some are sure that the dogs got there on trade caravans from Mongolia. Chows, in turn, came to Mongolia from Siberia, and even before that they lived in the Arctic. This version seems quite plausible: animals living in harsh climates with low oxygen levels can adapt to their environment. In modern times, blue tongues indicate an acute lack of oxygen, and therefore this phenomenon can be explained by mutational features.

How are the puppies?

It is noteworthy that Chow Chow puppies are born with regular pink tongues; the color begins to change only a month after birth. Every year the pigmentation becomes more intense. When choosing a puppy, breeders advise paying attention to the tongue.

As a rule, puppies look for a new home after one and a half months, and if by this time the tongue has not acquired the desired color or there are spots on it, it is better to refuse the purchase. Pigmentation problems may indicate not only a breed defect, but also health problems.

If you believe the legends

There are a lot of legends and tales in China, and the mysterious breed with a purple tongue is also not ignored. According to one of the “versions”, the color of the chow-chow’s tongue was due to its... Courage!

According to legend, during the creation of the world, God first created the earth and populated it with numerous animals, and then began to “decorate” the sky. While the Creator was distributing the stars across the heavens, one of the pieces of the sky broke off and fell to the ground. All living creatures were frightened and tried to hide, and only the chow-chow dog dared to approach a piece of heaven and lick it. This is how the brave dog’s tongue acquired a heavenly hue.

Of course, the Chow Chow from this legend is very similar to its modern relatives: dogs of this breed are distinguished by their curiosity, persistence and confidence. It can be assumed that a true Chow Chow will not be afraid of something that will cause many other animals to seek shelter.