The
Chow Chow ROUGH COAT OR SMOOTH COAT? COAT COLOR
W hen we chose to own a dignified, versatile Chow Chow in the 1970s, we became aware of the two coat types of Chows… the Chow Chow can have a beautiful full coat (rough coat) or a beautiful short, thick coat (smooth coat). The rough-coated Chow is most common and the smooth-coated Chow is identical other than the length of coat. Both are very beautiful and worth serious consideration. Both can be found in any of the five Standard-approved colors: red, black, cinnamon, blue, or cream, and with or without shading. This difference in coat type may be significant to the owner who grooms and lives with the dog. The smooth coat is easier to maintain, less likely to mat, and generally repels water and soil easier than the longer rough coat. THE CHOW CHOW - COAT AND CONDITION One of the most beautiful sights is a Chow Chow with a magnificent coat (rough or smooth). The AKC Breed Standard describes the Chow Chow as: “ Clothed in a smooth or an offstanding rough double coat, the Chow is a masterpiece of beauty, dignity and naturalness. ” The AKC Breed Standard defines coat and color as: “Coat: There are two types of coat; rough and smooth. Both are double coated. Rough - In the rough coat, the outer coat is abundant, dense, straight and offstand- ing, rather coarse in texture; the undercoat soft, thick and wooly. Puppy coat soft, thick and wooly overall. The coat forms a profuse ruff around the head and neck, framing the head. The coat and ruff generally longer in dogs than in bitches. Tail well feathered. The coat length varies markedly on different Chows and thickness, texture and condition should be given greater emphasis than length. Obvious trim- ming or shaping is undesirable. Trimming of the whiskers, feet and metatarsals optional. Smooth - The smooth coated Chow is judged by the same standard as the rough coated Chow except that references to the quantity and distribution of the outer coat are not applicable to the smooth coated Chow, which has a hard, dense, smooth outer coat with a definite undercoat. There should be no obvious ruff or feathering on the legs or tail. Color: Clear colored, solid or solid with lighter shadings in the ruff, tail and featherings. There are five colors in the Chow: red (light golden to deep mahogany), black, blue, cinnamon (light fawn to deep cinnamon) and cream. Acceptable colors to be judged on an equal basis.” BY LINDA LOVE BANGHART PUBLICITY CHAIRMAN, CHOW CHOW CLUB, INC.
Photo shared by breeders/owners Bob & Love Banghart.
154 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MARCH 2024
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