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I have also heard that they can be aggressive. I was bit by a chow as a child and still have the scar today, maybe it was just that particular dog, but I am still leery of them today.

I have heard quite a bit about Chow Chows. They tend to be quite dominant and can be aggressive if not properly socialized. Even if you do get them trained and socialized, they can be predisposed to aggression anyway. I'm not sure that this would be a good breed to have around children.

If you do end up getting one, please make sure that you know you will have to constantly show this dog that you are the pack leader. If you lose that, you lose control of the dog which is where you can have big problems. You will have to socialize this dog constantly for the first few months. If you are a softie or undisciplined, you definitely should not get a Chow or any other dominant dog.

Take a look at the link I provided. They are absolutely correct with other breeds that I am familiar with.

From what I know, chow chows are aggressive. I work at a vet clinic and know quite a few cases where people have been bitten by chows. It is also hard to predict a chows behaviour because they do not show what they are going to do through body language like most dogs. (For example, you can see when most dogs are scared because the whites of their eyes will be showing). I like to believe that by socializing any dog, they will grow up to be happy and not aggressive, but I'm always cautious around chows, knowing that they don't always give warning (growls, barks, etc.) when they are afraid.

I've never had dogs or rescued dogs who would follow the darn chart on the back of the chow bag!!! So, I've always just kept an eye (feel) on them and either fed a bit more or a bit less depending on whether the dog was thinnish or chubbyish. I had a Samoyed b*tch who when I fed kibble was allowed no more than 2/3 of a cup a day. At 48 lbs she would have been OBESE if we'd folllowed the recommended amount. In no way was she inactive either (when she was showing at age 8 and having a blast someone ringside said "they really ought to sedate that dog!".... she won that show.. and another at age 11+ years) When I moved to raw, she was allowed about 1/3 of a lb of meat/bone (hardly the recommended 2-3% of body weight!) (Now that I feed raw, its less of an issue- but even then, I have 2 dogs the same weight and one is given HALF what the other is... she simply is fuel efficient!!!) It really comes down to- Feed the dog enough to keep it in good condition and not so much that it becomes overweight.

We had a couple of chows in our neighborhood and they were quite aggressive towards strangers, however an older gentleman owned them and probably used them for protection. You could always get a pup and train it your way! I do hate stereotyped dogs when its really the owners fault. Just be careful and stop all bad behaviors when the dog is young if you decide to go for a chow!

Chows are in the Spitz family that means they are smart, most are aggresive but the best thing to do is get a puppy and raise it good and do not play rough with it until it gets older because playing rough with any dog at an early age with teach it to act out.

Dogs really act like what there owners treat them like. Chows can be very loving dogs. My grandma used to have one. He loved absoultely everybody. He even loved strangers.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/chow_chow/

If you click on this link it is the akc chow chow link. It has a lot of info about chows. I hope it helps!

Chows like their people and are wary of strangers. They are originally a fighting breed. They alos need lots of grooming to prevent mats. Look at the site below to find out more on any recognized breed.

They can be aggressive. My parents owned one and we had to have him put to sleep. He bit me and when he got out of the yard, my mother was the only one who could talk "sense" to him and get him to come back home. When he got out, he was aggressive towards everyone on the block. Personally, I would find a more even tempered breed. Labs are great with just about anyone, making them NOT a good watchdog. I have 2 pure bred labs and they are wonderful with children and ppl. My son can ride them like horses and they just take it with the biggest grin on their faces. We also own a pure bred German Shepherd who is great with my son. He lays on the dog and the dog just licks him to death. I would suggest an even tempered dog, granted that they all can turn at anytime if raised the wrong way.

Chows tend to be protective and territorial. They are very loyal to their family but it is difficult to have others around the house if they aren't used to them. My Chow mix with Blue Heeler loves kids but he is very protective and if he sees kids pretending to fight he wants to protect the person being hit. I always watch him carefully if strangers are around and I have had him since a pup