“Chows are not a particularly active breed. The Chow Chow may appear to be independent and aloof for much of the day, keeping a comfortable distance from others while staying within earshot. While the Chow exhibits low energy for most of the day, it will crave routine time to explore and play to maintain a happy and content disposition. The Chow has a different type of intelligence than that found in most dogs. Unless the Chow is kept engaged, boredom sets in and the Chow will simply walk away or refuse to engage.
Chows are distinguished by their unusual blue-black/purple tongue. Chow puppies’ tongues are pink at birth. They darken to blue-black by 8-10 weeks of age. A few other animals have black tongues, too: the giraffe, polar bear, and several breeds of cattle including the Jersey.
The Chow is thought to be one of the oldest recognizable dog breeds, and recent DNA analysis confirms that it is one of the oldest breeds of dog. Research indicates it is one of the first primitive breeds to evolve from the wolf, and is thought to have originated in the arid steppes of northern China/Mongolia. In China the Chow Chow is called Songshi Quan, which literally means “puffy-lion dog.”
One other distinctive feature is their curly tail.”
Remixed from the wikipedia entry / Inspired by John O’Hurley’s comments on Chow Chow tongues. The National Dog Show is my family’s Thanksgiving football.
Monkey Monkey! arroooooooooooo!