Do Chows Make Good Apartment Dogs?

Many people often question if Chow Chows make good apartment dogs. Well, the answer is – like anything else, it depends on the dog. However, as a general rule, the breed can make a better apartment companion than most breeds. Yet, rather than take the traditional path of explaining why Chow Chows make good apartment dogs, this article will take a different direction; the following information will explain the drawbacks of having a Chow Chow while living in an apartment.

Chow Chows are a Fiercely Protective Breed

Every breed profile you read will mention that this is a very protective breed of dog. Chows tend to be very territorial and do not like to share their domain with strangers; be it animal or human. This can become a drawback, as they will bark at most anything that is unfamiliar to them. Their only worry in life is protecting their home and family, so nothing should stand in the way of that.

This can make potty time hard for the owner as the dog can become preoccupied over strangers outside, thus refusing to “go” until the dog gets inside where he or she has an accident. On the other hand, if you have a well socialized Chow Chow who is respectful and conscious of strangers, then you will have no issues with this.

The Chow Breed is on the Dangerous Dog List
The Chow breed is not only known for being protective, they are also portrayed for being dangerous by media and other people who have little knowledge of the breed. Therefore, the breed has been added to many insurance company’s dangerous dog breed lists. In turn, many landlords have started refusing to allow the breed, in worries of a dropped homeowner’s insurance policy or a lawsuit.

On the other side of this, because the breed is listed as being dangerous, there are many people out there who are scared of these dogs. For this reason, you should be very mindful of letting people come up and pet your Chow when you are walking him or her. Remember that this breed does not have the best eyesight, so it is not uncommon for Chows to become startled and accidentally bite. Moreover, they tend to be stand-offish and skittish toward strangers, which will intimidate people; and could also lead to a dog bite.

In the end, if you are knowledgeable about this breed before ever owning one, then you will have nothing to worry about. If you know the breed then you know you must be careful when it comes to choosing a breeder. In addition, it takes a good amount of time and effort to properly socialize a Chow. However, if you do everything correctly – purchase a quality dog from a good line and spend enough time socializing and training – then you will not only have a good apartment dog, you will have one of the Best apartment dogs. So, do your homework and see if the Chow Chow breed is right for you.