How to Adopt a Chow Chow in the United States | PetzLover

Where can you adopt a Chow Chow?

• The Chow Chow Club, Inc. Welfare Committee, a small group of volunteers appointed by the national club, lists Chows needing homes by state and keeps a directory of Chow rescue volunteers.
• Breed rescues. Houston Chow Chow Connection in Spring, Texas, and Wisconsin Chow Chow Rescue, run with help from the Wisconsin Chow Chow Club, are two examples. Each sets its own area and rules.
• Shelters and animal control. Shelters list Chows and Chow mixes too; search their websites by breed and check nearby states.
• Rehoming owners, who sometimes list adult Chows directly; read taking in a rehomed Chow Chow for the questions to ask.

You can also search Chow Chow adoption listings by location on PetzLover and save the search to get alerts.

Rescue, shelter or breeder: which is right for a Chow Chow?

An adult Chow's manner with strangers, children and other dogs is already visible, which matters in a breed the AKC calls aloof. If you want a puppy, read how to buy a Chow Chow puppy.

What does the Chow Chow adoption process involve?

1. Read the rescue's requirements. Wisconsin Chow Chow Rescue, for example, prefers fenced yards and mails its application to you on request.
2. Submit an application with vet and personal references.
3. Have an interview. Houston Chow Chow Connection's process includes a reference check and possible pet matches.
4. Pass a home check, in person or by video.
5. Meet the dog, and bring your own dog for a neutral-ground introduction if the rescue allows it.
6. Pay the fee and sign the adoption contract.
7. Collect the dog yourself; Wisconsin Chow Chow Rescue, for one, does not ship dogs.

What is the adoption fee for a Chow Chow, and what does it cover?

Fees vary by group and by dog. Houston Chow Chow Connection lists $250 to $400. Wisconsin Chow Chow Rescue lists $125 for an adult, covering spay or neuter, vet exams, a heartworm test, a lifetime microchip, vaccinations, food and housing; puppies cost more and seniors usually less. The club's welfare pages say very few listed Chows are free, and adopters usually pay for transport.

Paid separately, the American Kennel Club estimates spay or neuter at $50 to $300 and a microchip at $25 to $50, so a rescue fee is often good value. Ask for the dog's vet records, including any eye or skin treatment.

Can a rescued Chow Chow live with children and other pets?

• Other dogs. The club's welfare committee says Chows are known to fight with dogs of the same sex and strongly recommends adopting a Chow of the opposite sex to your dog, introduced on neutral ground and supervised for several days.
• Children. The committee says many rescued Chows love children and suggests an adult already raised with them. VCA adds that, as with any large dog, a Chow should be supervised around children.
• Approach. The AKC standard notes that the Chow's deep-set eyes limit its side vision, so teach everyone to approach from the front and let the dog come to them.
• Cats and small pets. VCA says Chows are usually good with small pets, and some rescue listings say whether a dog has lived with cats.

How do you help an adopted Chow Chow settle in?

• Give space. PetMD says Chows are not known as cuddly dogs and want their space respected, so let your dog choose when to approach.
• Expect a 3-3-3 pattern: about three days to decompress, three weeks to learn your routine and three months to feel at home.
• Keep it cool. In a UK study of more than 900,000 dogs, the Chow Chow had the highest heatstroke risk of any breed. Walk early and late in summer.
• Train with rewards; VCA says Chows rebel against forceful methods.
• Keep your Chow on leash or behind a fence. Wisconsin Chow Chow Rescue says a Chow can never be allowed off leash in an unfenced area.
• Book a vet exam in the first weeks, including the eyes, skin and thyroid, and register the microchip in your name.

Rescues and owners can read how to list a Chow Chow for adoption to see how they choose homes.