Chow Chow puppies from reputable, health-tested Indiana breeders typically run $2,500 to $4,000. Pricing within responsible programs is influenced by coat type (rough-coated Chows are more common and generally more sought-after than smooth-coated), coat color, pedigree depth, and whether the parents have champion titles. Blue Chow Chows and cream Chow Chows are less common and may carry a premium in some programs. Red is the most prevalent color and typically mid-range in price within any given litter.  At Posh Puppies Indiana, our Chow Chow puppies come from imported champion bloodlines, and we're happy to introduce you to the puppies in person or on video call.

The Chow Chow has a very distinctive personality. Chows are deeply loyal, but often on their own terms. They typically form their strongest bond with one person in the household and express affection through their presence, rather than cuddles and kisses. They are not lap dogs. They do not greet strangers at the door with enthusiasm. They are not interested in performing tricks for approval. They carry themselves with an ego that resembles a lion, and they expect their space and boundaries to be respected. When those expectations are met, a well-socialized Chow is calm, clean, dignified, and extraordinarily devoted to their family. When those expectations aren't understood, they become difficult.

Their intelligence is real but is demonstrated differently than a Labrador's or a Poodle's. A Chow understands what you're asking, but they may be too stubborn in the moment to care. But their stubbornness is not defiance; it is the natural expression of a confident, smart breed. Training a Chow Chow depends on building a relationship of mutual respect first. Consistency, positive reinforcement, short sessions, and patience are the effective approach.

Chow Chows are best suited for experienced dog owners. Managing a dog that is naturally reserved with strangers, potentially intolerant with other dogs, and needing grooming requires consistent early socialization to develop into a stable adult dog. This can feel overwhelming if you haven't done it before. It is not impossible for a first-time owner, but it requires honest self-assessment, a willingness to invest in socialization and training early.

The Chow Chow comes in two AKC-recognized coat varieties that are quite different in appearance and grooming demand, and choosing between them is worth thinking through before you purchase.

• The rough coat is what most people picture when they think of a Chow Chow — a fluffy, dense double coat with a full mane around the head and shoulders, giving the dog its characteristic lion-like appearance. The outer coat is coarse, but the undercoat is thick and soft. Rough coat Chow Chows require brushing at least three to four times per week under normal conditions and daily brushing during seasonal shedding. We strongly recommend professional grooming every six to eight weeks. The areas behind the ears, under the legs, around the mane, and at the base of the tail mat fastest and deserve consistent attention.

• The smooth coat is far less common and markedly different in appearance — a short, dense, plush double coat with no mane and none of the dramatic fluffiness of the rough variety. Smooth-coated Chows often surprise people who are used to the rough type; they look more compact, less theatrical, and are significantly easier to maintain. Brushing once or twice weekly is sufficient outside of shedding season. They shed just as much during blowout periods, but the shorter length makes loose hair easier to manage.

Both coat types come in the same five AKC-recognized colors: red, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream. Both types share the same temperament, health profile, and distinctive blue-black tongue. The coat variety is entirely a matter of personal preference and honest grooming commitment. Most Chows available in Indiana are rough-coated; smooth-coated Chows require specifically seeking out breeders who produce them.

Chow Chows are heavy shedders year-round. Twice a year, typically spring and fall, they "blow coat" and lose much of their dense undercoat in significant quantities. During a blowout, loose fur accumulates quickly on furniture, clothing, and flooring, and brushing must increase to daily to stay ahead of it. This is not a breed for households where dog hair is a significant problem.  

A slicker brush is your go-to tool for detangling and pulling loose undercoat out before it mats. A pin brush with widely spaced tipped pins works the outer coat and distributes natural oils, keeping the coat's texture healthy. A metal comb run through after brushing is the confirmation test — if it moves cleanly from skin to tip in every spot, you're done. If it catches, you aren't.

The four areas that mat fastest and deserve extra attention are: behind the ears, under the front legs (armpit region), around the mane at the chest and shoulders, and at the base of the tail. Plan on professional grooming every six to eight weeks. Professional grooming on a Chow is strongly recommended but may come at a cost, so do your research to find a groomer experienced with double-coated breeds.

Regarding bathing: every four to six weeks is appropriate for most Chows. Bathing before brushing worsens mats, so always brush thoroughly before getting the coat wet, and blow-dry completely after bathing, as a damp undercoat sitting against the skin can cause hot spots and fungal issues.

Teeth brushing and nail trimming every three to four weeks, and weekly ear cleaning round out a complete routine. The Chow's deep-set eyes and pronounced facial folds also warrant regular cleaning to prevent moisture and debris accumulation.

One important note for both varieties: do not shave a Chow Chow. The double coat regulates body temperature in both heat and cold and protects the skin from UV radiation. Shaving disrupts this system and can result in coat that regrows incorrectly, with permanent texture changes or sparse coverage. Trimming and thinning by a professional groomer is the correct approach.

Chow Chows do best in households with older children who understand how to read a dog's body language. The Chow has little patience for rough handling, sudden grabbing, or the unpredictable physical energy of toddlers and young children. They are not aggressive dogs by nature, but they will disengage or express discomfort when pushed past their tolerance. Younger children who don't recognize those signals may cause a situation that can go poorly.

In households where a Chow has been raised alongside children from puppyhood, with consistent supervision and clear rules about how the dog is approached, they tend to develop gentleness and protectiveness around the kids. The key phrase there is "raised alongside." Introducing a Chow into a home with young children they don't know is a more demanding dynamic than with many other breeds.

Chow Chows are considered territorial and independent, and not a breed that comes to mind when you think of overly social breeds. Early socialization is the single most important factor. A Chow that has been properly exposed to other dogs from a young age is far more manageable than one that reaches adulthood with limited dog-to-dog experience. Same-sex dog pairs can present tension with Chows, particularly between two males. Households with existing dogs of the opposite sex tend to integrate more smoothly.

Similarly, Chow Chows should be highly supervised around cats and small animals. Their strong prey drive is almost impossible to train out of them. The breed has historical hunting roots, and a Chow that has not been introduced to smaller animals gradually and under supervision can redirect that prey drive in problematic ways.

Chow Chow puppies are born with pink tongues that progressively darken to blue-black as they mature, typically completing the change by eight to ten weeks of age. This is a genetic trait where the pigmentation is caused by the same melanin-producing cells responsible for skin and coat color, concentrate in the tongue's tissue.

The Chow's gait (style of walking) is also unique to other dog breeds. Their hind legs are straighter than most dog breeds, and this anatomy produces a stilted, almost cat-like walk that is characteristic of the breed and considered correct per the AKC standard. It is not a sign of pain or orthopedic problems; it is simply how a healthy Chow moves. The practical implication is heat sensitivity: the Chow's compact structure and thick double coat mean they overheat more easily than longer-nosed, lighter-coated breeds.

Chow Chows live 8 to 12 years, which is typical for a medium-to-large dog. Maintaining a healthy weight, scheduling annual veterinary checkups, and actively monitoring their eyes and thyroid help as the dog ages.  Day-to-day life with a Chow Chow is quieter and lower-energy than most people expect from a dog of their size. Two 20-to-30-minute walks per day is sufficient for most Chows. They do not need hours of vigorous exercise or an active outdoor lifestyle to be content. They do settle into the rhythms of your household, establish themselves as a calm and watchful presence, and offer their loyalty without fanfare.

They are naturally clean dogs and groom themselves in a cat-like way, resulting in minimal odor, which their owners appreciate. They tend to housebreak relatively easily because of this innate cleanliness.  If you're interested in learning about available litters or upcoming placements, we'd love to hear from you.