Chow Chow
Also known as: Chow, Songshi Quan (puffy-lion dog)
An ancient, lion-maned Chinese spitz with a distinctive blue-black tongue and a famously dignified, cat-like independence. Chow Chows are deeply loyal and devoted to their own people, offering a unique, quiet companionship - serious and self-possessed in character, yet affectionate with those they trust.
Origin and purpose
The Chow Chow is one of the oldest dog breeds, originating in China where it served variously as a guardian, hunter, cart-puller and, regrettably in some periods, a source of food and fur. Its lion-like ruff, stilted gait and blue-black tongue are breed hallmarks.
Temperament
Breed authorities describe the Chow as dignified, independent, reserved and loyal to its family but aloof with strangers — often likened to a cat in its self-possession. Early socialisation is important, and harsh handling backfires. As always, the individual dog and its raising shape behaviour far more than the breed label (Morrill et al., Science 2022), but prospective owners should expect an undemonstrative, strong-willed companion.
Health and longevity
The Chow carries several heritable conditions. Buy from breeders who eye- and joint-screen.
Common health conditions
Living with a Chow Chow in Manila
This section is specific to Manila (Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) / Local Government Unit (LGU)). The rest of this guide applies to the breed anywhere.
PAWS Philippines / CARA Welfare: Not eligible
This breed is not eligible for PAWS Philippines / CARA Welfare.
Licensing
Dog registration required under the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (Republic Act No. 9482): register with your local Barangay or City Veterinary Office; annual rabies vaccination mandatory for registration; registration fees PHP 100–500/year depending on LGU. Philippines is NOT rabies-free — annual vaccination is a legal requirement. Source: BAI Philippines (bai.gov.ph); RA 9482.
Climate & exercise in Manila
Manila is tropical maritime; three seasons — warm dry (March–May, 32–38°C), rainy (June–November, typhoon season), cool dry (December–February, 22–28°C); Metro Manila hottest March–May; year-round tropical humidity. walk before 7:30am or after 6pm year-round; March–May peak heat is dangerous — limit walks to before 7am; pavement in direct sun reaches 55°C+ at midday; Manila urban heat island intensifies early-afternoon temperatures. Metro Manila's tropical heat peaks March–May (32–38°C) with extreme humidity — heatstroke risk is highest during this period for all dogs, and genuinely dangerous for brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldog, Pug, Shih Tzu, Bulldog) at any time outside the early-morning window. Typhoon season (June–November) brings flooding in low-lying barangays — leptospirosis from floodwater contact is a documented risk for Manila dogs. Annual rabies vaccination is a legal requirement under the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007; any animal bite in the Philippines requires immediate medical attention and post-exposure prophylaxis at the nearest Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC).
Parasite prevention
Plan for year-round heartworm prevention essential (Culex and Aedes mosquitoes active all 12 months; typhoon season June–November dramatically increases mosquito breeding habitat); tick-borne disease (Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis/gibsoni) high risk year-round — Rhipicephalus sanguineus endemic in Metro Manila residential areas; annual rabies vaccination legally required under RA 9482 (Philippines is NOT rabies-free); leptospirosis risk during and after flooding (June–November typhoon season) — keep dogs away from floodwater.
Cost of ownership in Manila
Local Chow Chow cost figures for Manila are being verified. Budget for purchase or adoption, initial setup, food, grooming, routine veterinary care, parasite prevention and pet insurance. Figures are quoted in ₱.
Health & longevity
Responsible breeders health-test their breeding dogs. Ask to see current certificates before committing.
Nutrition note: Moderate exercise needs; keep lean to protect joints and avoid added heat strain from excess weight.
Known breed conditions
DNA & screening panel
Cost of ownership
FLAG: indicative Singapore estimate only — grooming, eye/joint care and AC/cooling raise cost.
Registries
Sources & references
- AKC — Chow Chow breed standard & traits[Breed standard / registry]
- The Kennel Club (UK) — Chow Chow[Breed standard / registry]
- Merck Veterinary Manual — hereditary and breed-associated disease[Veterinary reference]
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — breed health screening / CHIC testing[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA]
- NParks/AVS — Pets in HDB flats (approved small breeds; ≤55 cm shoulder height)[Breed standard / registry] · checked June 2026
- Morrill et al., "Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics…", Science 376 (2022) — breed ≈ 9% of behaviour[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA] · 2022
Source tiers: 1 = breed standard / registry authority; 2 = peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA; 3 = veterinary reference; 4 = encyclopaedic. PawHub cites only tiers 1–4 and never blogs or e-commerce pages. Behavioural traits carry low confidence — breed explains ~9% of individual behaviour variation (Morrill et al., Science 2022).
Image credits
- Image 1: Prayitno · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Image 2: Luigi Borromeo · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Image 3: Tomasina (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
