Are Chow Chows Hypoallergenic?
Are Chow Chows hypoallergenic? Unfortunately, these kind-natured dogs aren’t hypoallergenic. Their extremely thick double coats shed year-round, but shedding also increases as the seasons’ change. Their coat will blow during spring and fall for about three to six weeks, which is why Chow Chows are known for being high shedders.
Chow Chow Quick Facts
Understanding Hypoallergenic Dogs
A hypoallergenic dog is a breed that has a lower likelihood offor triggering allergies.
- These dogs tend to have curly coats — this helps trap any dander or dead skin cells they have lost.
- Have hair instead of fur, which falls out in a hair growth cycle akin to humans.
- Or, are hairless/don’t release much dander.
So you might be wondering if there are any completely hypoallergenic breeds? Unfortunately, the answer is no. There are many things that can cause a reaction — such as urine, saliva, as well as dander (dead skin cells).
Certainly, breeds like the Labradoodle or Poodle are more hypoallergenic than others — thanks to that tightly curled coat, but your allergy can still react!
We’ve put together a guide to What is a Hypoallergenic Dog? — take a look.
The Chow Chow has an extremely thick, double coat — one smooth and one rough.
The latter is what we usually see, the outer coat. It’s thick and plentiful, but underneath you’ll find the smooth coat. This is just as abundant as the first, but has a much woolier texture.
This fur also collects around the neck and head, which gives the Chow that notorious lion-like mane.
The coat also comes in a large variety of colors ranging from blue to pure white. Red is the most common color, and cream, pure white, and merle are those you’re least likely to see.
You might now be wondering do Chow Chows shed a lot? And, the answer is yes!
Because of the extremely thick double coat, they never truly stop shedding, which is why Chow Chow allergies can be severe.
Most people believe these dogs originated in China, but there is speculation that they’re from the extreme north of Asia, which could explain the insanely thick coat.
And due to the breed’s place of origin, they have become very good at adapting to their environment. However, this leads to even more shedding when the seasons change. Chow Chows usually shed for three to six weeks during this period.
There’s no way to stop a dog from shedding. There are however some things you can do to lower the amount of hair they lose.
1. Daily Brushing
If you’re planning on getting a Chow Chow, be prepared for daily brushing. Yet this is a simple way to keep on top of your dog’s shedding. This helps loosen all that fur that’s clumped together and can’t make its way out.
Brushing your Chow more than once a day is ideal, given how much they shed, but realistically, this could be a challenge for most people.
To reduce hair inside — brush your dog outside. Not only does this lower the chance of the fur and dander sticking to furniture and carpets, but it also means the birds will make great use of all that extra nesting material.
Brushing more than once a day during fall will also shorten the coat-blowing period. It will once loosen all that fur and encourage it to fall out faster.
2. Deshedding Brushes
Deshedding brushes are another great way to lower the amount of doggy fur floating around your house.
The amount of times you use this tool varies depending on the dog breed. But given how often a Chow Chow needs to be brushed, every day would be adequate. You should do this on dry fur as it removes stubborn hair easier.
These special, mostly wire combs are a great way to remove the dead undercoat without damaging the top coat. However, use these tools with caution, so you don’t catch your dog’s skin or pull on their fur.
3. Balanced Diet
Your dog needs a balanced diet to keep their fur shiny and healthy, but also to reduce shedding. The best thing for them at this time is high protein as well as several vitamins.
Avoid foods full of fillers and seriously lacking in the nutrients that keep our animals happy and healthy.
Keep a lookout for foods containing omega 3 and omega 6 — good fats. This could be flaxseeds, chia seeds, sunflower oil, vitamin A, salmon, etc. Omegas are amazing for your dog’s overall health but also ensure their coat isn’t falling out due to irritated skin.
4. Hydration Is Key
Water, water, and more water. Hydration is just as, if not more important than food. To minimize shedding as much as possible, you need to address the root (quite literally) of the problem.
It all starts with your dog’s skin, which certainly doesn’t thrive if it’s dehydrated. The skin and, therefore, the hair follicles become weak when your dog isn’t getting enough fluid — which then leads to increased amounts of shedding.
Dogs should drink roughly one ounce of water for every pound of body weight.
5. Regular Grooming
Groomers are trained to look after your dog’s coat, which means they know exactly what tools and shampoo to use. These are all integral to how much fur you will have to deal with later on.
Dog blow dryers help remove the undercoat without damaging the rough top coat. This also means you don’t have to deal with all that fur — a win for everyone!
Dog shampoo is also great at getting rid of any dander from the coat. This not only lowers the shedding but also helps with any reactions you’ve had lately.
The Samoyed is a perfect alternative to the Chow Chow thanks to their similar size and look. These are a social breed who want all the affection and attention you can give them. They’re smart and loyal and will be a brilliant addition to any family.
Very similar to the Chow, they can be stubborn and therefore require a firmer hand when training. Make sure they know early on who’s the alpha and you shouldn’t have any problems.
The Samoyed is double-coated with thick pure white fur, but strangely they don’t produce much dander at all. This means they’re a perfect happy medium for an allergy sufferer who has fallen in love with the fluffy wolf-like dog.
2. Eurasier
The Eurasier has a more complex answer as to whether they are hypoallergenic or not. They aren’t inherently dander free, but they do tend to cause fewer allergic reactions for some reason. As stated above, no dog is completely hypoallergenic, so the Eurasier might just produce less dander than its canine cousins.
This is a great alternative to the Chow Chow as the two are related. They’re roughly the same size and have nearly identical double coats. The only difference here is the Eurasier allows far more markings and color variations to pop in their beautiful coats.
The Eurasier is once again an amazing family dog, as they’re undoubtedly loyal. It might take them some time to warm to strangers, but otherwise, you’ll have a friend for life.
Now your first thought might be that this looks nothing like a Chow Chow, and although you’re correct, they’re very similar in size and nature.
These are some of the most loyal and obedient dogs you’ll come across. They love cuddles, so don’t be afraid to shower them with all the affection they deserve.
They aren’t so sure of strangers to begin with but with enough time and plenty of reassurance from you, they’ll get on great. They’re also more than happy to make friends with any other pets and children, so there’s no need to worry about that.
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a social butterfly but isn’t overly hyper, meaning they don’t require too much exercise. But the one thing you’ll have to keep on top of the most here, is that awesome coat they have.
Conclusion
You now know everything there is to know about this breed and their coats, and it’s clear they may not be the best fit for those with allergies.
But with alternatives out there, your dream of having a furry friend in life can still come true. The breeds listed above will not get a reaction out of your allergies but are also very similar to the Chow. They’re medium-sized dogs that are as loyal as can be, with fluffy coats for plenty of cuddles.
To answer the question, are Chow Chows hypoallergenic? The answer is unfortunately, no. They shed continually through the year and even more so when the seasons change.
What Is the Number One Hypoallergenic Dog?
The top hypoallergenic dogs are the Bichon Frise, Labradoodle and Poodle. The curly and coarse hair means they’re brilliant pets for allergy sufferers. This fur type also means your dog is less likely to collect things from outside that could cause a reaction.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Chow Chow?
The Chow Chow:
- Needs to be groomed every day. Therefore, it takes a lot of work to maintain their gorgeous coats.
- Can be aggressive and untrustworthy to strangers. Introduce them gradually — give them time to acclimatize.
- Is also renowned for being a stubborn breed, which means you have your work cut out when it comes to training.
What Is the Easiest Hypoallergenic Dog To Train?
Portuguese Water Dogs are probably the easiest hypoallergenic dog to train — they’re insanely intelligent. They’re also very obedient, meaning they’ll want to listen to what you’re telling them. This makes training all the more straightforward.
Is a Chow Chow High Maintenance?
If you’re referring to grooming, yes.
Shedding year-round means your dog will ideally have to be brushed once a day or more to keep on top of all that loose fur. Don’t worry too much if this isn’t possible but be sure to schedule regular grooming visits to blow out all that loose fur.
How Aggressive Is a Chow Chow?
This breed can be aggressive with other dogs — they have a history of being guard dogs. Hence, it’s in their nature to be wary. This is easily fixable by ensuring they have enough time to warm up to people and pets, and that they aren’t overstimulated.
