Buying a Chow Chow Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Avoid a puppy from parents with excessively small, deep-set eyes, excessive coat or breathing difficulties. Extreme conformation (body shape) can be linked to disease.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC scheme for hip dysplasia (HD)
- abnormal formation of the hip joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC scheme for elbow dysplasia (ED)
- abnormal formation of the elbow joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease. DBRG recommends that all dogs should be visually examined by an ophthalmologist before breeding (includes checks for multiple inherited diseases).
- checks for many inherited abnormalities that can cause progressive blindness or pain, including conformation issues such as entropion
Other Diseases & Problems
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Cancers
- (various)
- Entropion
- inturned eyelids that rub painfully on the eyeballs
- GDV – Gastro dilatation/volvulus (‘bloat’)
- stomach fills with air and twists, can be fatal
- Heatstroke
- increased risk of overheating in hot weather due to thick coats
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
Some genetic laboratories offer tests for rare inherited diseases in Chow Chows.
Other Tests
The Chow Chow Breed Council offers a health assessment scheme at bronze and silver levels. Bronze level consists of a veterinary clinical examination, and silver also includes certification under the official BVA/KC schemes for hips, elbows and eyes.
Further Information
Some breeders are now producing merle (mottled grey and black) Chow Chows, but this colour can be linked to problems with hearing and sight.