Chow Chow

The blue-black tongue comes from dense pigment cells, the same kind that darken the skin and gums. Nobody knows exactly why it became fixed in the breed; the Chinese Shar-Pei shares the trait. Puppies are born with pink tongues that darken over the first couple of months. A pink or spotted tongue on an adult is a show fault but not a health problem.

Most groomers and breed clubs advise against shaving to the skin. The double coat insulates against heat as well as cold and shields the skin from sunburn, and some shaved Chows regrow their coat unevenly or very slowly. A tidy trim of the feet, belly and rear is fine; for summer comfort, focus on removing dead undercoat and keeping your dog cool indoors.

Chows are naturally reserved and territorial rather than naturally aggressive, but a poorly socialized one may growl or snap when strangers push into its space. Early, calm exposure to many people, respect for the dog's personal space and careful breeding make a huge difference. They suit adult households or families whose children know not to hug or crowd a dog.

Usually twice a year, in spring and autumn, with each moult lasting roughly 3 to 6 weeks. Unspayed females may also drop coat after a season. During these periods, brush daily and consider a professional bath and blow-dry to shift the undercoat faster. Outside the moults, two or three thorough line-brushing sessions a week keep the coat free of mats.

To a degree, yes. The breed standard calls for almost straight hind legs, which produces a short, stilted gait unlike most dogs. That straight angle can, however, put extra stress on the knees. If your Chow's walk changes, it starts skipping steps or it struggles to rise from lying down, have a vet check the joints rather than assuming it is simply normal for the breed.