Popular around the world, the chow chow is a unique and compelling canine, loving and protective of their family, but also suspicious of strangers. Their dignified demeanor truly sets them apart, and so does their incredible coat.
One of the most beautiful (and noticeable) traits of a chow is that sumptuous coat—so it’s no wonder there’s so much discussion that revolves around taking care of it. According to the American Kennel Club, chow coats come in a variety of hues: black, blue, cinnamon, cream and red, to be exact.
Not sure what kind of style you’d like to give those long, luxurious locks? Don’t worry. We’ll help you decide between a few different options and outline the best chow chow haircuts.
But first we’ve gathered together some grooming tips unique to this breed—we hope you find them useful.
Basic Grooming Advice
This is a breed with a lot of hair, so it’s important to take care of it. Here are a few of the tips we think are essential to remember:
- Get them well acquainted with grooming from the very beginning. If you brush your dog’s ears and feet early on, they’re more likely to get used to it and will be less finicky about getting groomed later in life.
- Sporting a super-thick coat that has a rough undercoat and a rough (or sometimes smooth) topcoat, you’ll need to groom this dog frequently.
- And according to this grooming blog, brush selection is super important for this breed. The best way to prevent mats is to use the combination of a large slicker brush, a pin brush, and a metal comb. Use the slicker brush for your chow’s legs, the pin brush for their body coat, and the metal comb for when they have their big shedding period (which is about twice a year). Also, spritz the coat with a spray bottle of water before brushing—you don’t want to brush it when it’s dry.
- Trim your chow during the summer to keep them from getting too toasty. Plus, you want to avoid them developing any skin infections or hot spots.
- Give them a bath! Don’t go too crazy, but the occasional thorough wash is good for them. Here are some simple tricks to use.
Top Chow Chow Hairstyles
1. The Lion Cut
According to PetCare RX, one of the most popular cuts for the chow is the lion cut, which…looks a lot like it sounds! It’s best to have a professional give this cut since it requires some skill and a steady hand. Essentially, the body of the pup is clipped shorter, with the fur on the face, head, feet, and tail kept a little longer.
This cut is cute, but don’t forget to continue brushing your dog’s face daily to keep it from getting tangly where it’s still long. Also, if you do take any of the shorter areas down really short, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to protect their skin.
2. Puppy Cut
The Puppy Cut for a chow chow is much like it is for other breeds—an easy, breezy solution to keeping your dog comfy when the weather gets warmer. Or when you’re just looking for something that’s a little less mat-tastic.
Generally, the fur is left just an inch or two long, and is the same length all over their body. Again, it may be best to get a professional for the job so that you know that it’s being done correctly.
3. Teddy Bear
This Teddy Bear Cut is so hard to resist—and it also really seems to fit well with that adorable chow chow face.
It’s pretty self-explanatory, and involves face hair that’s rounded out, ears trimmed to show the little points, and a mane (or not—depends on your preference), and voila! Even the biggest chow (and they can grow fairly large) seems as sweet and cuddly as your kiddo’s favorite teddy.
However you groom your chow, they’ll look fantastic—and you’ll be happy once you find the right style that fits in with your family (and budget and free time).
Just remember to always pay attention to the cues that your dog is giving you, and if something is causing them stress, then it may be time to find a different approach/hairstyle/groomer/etc. We hope these hairstyle ideas have been useful for jazzing up your pup’s coif. Happy clipping!