How much exercise does a Chow Chow need?

Chows are not endurance dogs. Two walks totalling 40 to 60 minutes a day, plus some pottering in a secure garden, suits most adults. They like a steady, dignified pace and new routes to inspect more than fetch or high-speed games, and many simply refuse to run for the sake of it.

Heat is the real limit. With a dense double coat and a fairly short muzzle, a Chow can overheat on a warm day during a walk that would not bother most breeds. In summer, walk at dawn and after dusk, keep outings short, and offer shade and cool floors at home. Heavy, noisy panting, thick drool, glazed eyes or stumbling mean stop immediately, cool your dog down and call a vet if recovery is not quick.