Chow Chow Size Chart – Growth & Weight Chart

This ancient breed precedes even the Chinese Han Dynasty. Chow Chows are a fascinating dog breed a Chow Chow size chart will help you to understand them better.

They have a Regal look which is fitting because they were used as companions for Chinese Nobles.

However, they are quite versatile and make good guardians, haulers, and hunters. Chow Chows have a beautiful coat as well as a muscular build.

Many people are attracted to them because of their serene personality. They should not be mistaken for the Tibetan Mastiff.

If you have one of these dogs, you know that you have a devoted and loyal companion. This article will include a Chow Chow weight chart and tell you everything you need to know about Chow Chows.

When Do Chow Chow Stop Growing?

Chow Chows fall into the medium-sized category for canines. They have muscular compact builds and you can expect them to complete their growth between one year to a year and a half.

For most Chow Chow dogs it will be about 16 months. Larger Chow Chow dogs start to slow in growth when they reach the one-year mark and then take a slower time to complete their growth.

An adult Chow Chow dog will usually weigh around 45 to 75 lb while standing at around 17 to 20 inches in height.

Note that females are typically a bit smaller than males but both sexes have broad shoulders and powerful muscles when they are fully grown.

Chow Chow Size Chart

To measure your Chow Chow’s progress we have formulated a weight chart that will help you. It shows the size approximations for Chow Chows on average.

You can use these estimations and compare them to your dog to see if he is developing with others around his age.

This chart can be a great help to you if you want to track your dog.  However, you must know that your dog’s development is determined by the activities of his everyday life along with genetics.

So use this chart as a reference point while understanding that the figures are not set in stone.

The columns listed on the chart will show your dog’s age as well as the way that he should be for that age. So when using the chart,  you must know your dog’s age so that the estimation will be correct.

Some people will definitely notice that their dog’s weight is different from the figures listed. This is no cause for real concern.  Simply look for signs that your dog is healthy or check with your veterinarian if you are unsure.

Chow Chow Weight Chart

Chow Chow Puppy Development Stages

Birth – 2 Weeks

Chow Chows make fluffy puppies and are usually about 1 lb when they are newborns. However, the size is determined by the number of puppies in the litter as well as the mother’s age and health.

They grow rapidly as they need to suckle their mother for nourishment. They also depend on her for warmth. They spend a lot of time sleeping and gaining strength.

You should allow the puppy to have this time with the mother because it is very important.

3 Weeks – 12 Weeks

This stage will continue to see a lot of rapid growth. There will be many changes happening with your Chow Chow.

The weaning process is the most important because nutrition is vital to proper growth and development. Your puppy can now start having solid food to make this transition as comfortable for them as possible.

You should see a considerable growth spurt as well. At the end of the 12 weeks, your Chow Chow should be between 8 and 12 kg.

4 Months – 9 Months

Your Chow Chow dog will still be growing at a steady pace during this time. He will have more pronounced muscle coordination along with a healthy appetite.

At 6 months or so a typical Chow Chow could weigh between 30 and 45 lb. The male Chow Chows are usually a bit bigger than the female. Many Chow Chow dogs enter their heat cycle at this time.

10 Months – 18 Months

Your Chow Chow puppy will reach adulthood during this time.  A 12 months old male Chow Chow should weigh between 24 and 31 kg while females usually weigh between 19 and 26 inches.

Even though your Chow Chow dog will be considered an adult at this time, he may still need to gain muscle mass in certain areas of his body. When it comes to feeding, you can reduce the number of times per day he is given food.

Adult

Remember that when Chow Chows reach adulthood they have different nutritional requirements. So you need to change the type of food that he is given.

Puppies need more protein and fat because they are still developing but adults require a bit less. So whether you are purchasing commercial dog food or making it yourself, you need to adjust the type of food your Chow Chow is given.

In adulthood, many people begin feeding their dogs 1-2 times per day. It is up to you to figure out the best feeding schedule.

How Big Do Chow Chow Get?

It is not unusual for dog parents to be curious about their dog’s ultimate size, mainly because they would like to have proper accommodations prepared.

However, this question cannot be answered with exact certainty since the dogs grow at different rates even within the same breed.

The best way for you to tell him the size that your Chow Chow will be Is to examine the parents. Usually, dogs become the average size of their parents because of the genes down to them.

Simply arranged with your breeder to get information on your dog’s parents. If this is not possible,  there are other options.

For example, you can have a DNA test done to ascertain whether your Chow Chow is indeed a pure breed. If not then you know you should factor in the other breed size in your estimation.

Additionally, you can look at your dog’s paws and head.  Younger dogs usually have larger paws and heads so you know that your dog is not finished growing if these are a bit larger in proportion to his body. You can also look at the Chow Chow size chart within this article.

Male vs Female Chow Chow Growth Chart

As we have stated,  the male Chow Chows have a slightly larger size. When they are adults you can expect them to be around 19 inches with a weight of 55 to 71 lb.

Females usually stand at 18 inches and way between 44 the 60 lb. You should note also that not every male will be bigger than every female since genetics play a part.

To measure your Chow Chow’s height you simply need to find the withers. The withers is the highest area of your dog’s shoulder blades.

When we are taking a dog’s height measurements we simply need to get the distance between the floor and his withers while he is standing up straight. Use a measuring tape and take this measurement in a straight perpendicular line to the floor.

Will Neutering/Spaying My Chow Chow Affect His Growth?

Spaying and neutering will affect your Chow Chow in some form. For example, male Chow Chows neutering will affect testosterone production.

Testosterone is known to be reduced when your dog is neutered causing less muscle mass in an average Chow Chow dog.  It is not advised to have your dog neutered before he is fully grown. For a Chow Chow, you should at least wait one year and a half.

Spaying or neutering may also save your dog’s life as well as prevent unwanted pregnancy.  Pregnancy may be difficult for your dog, especially in the early years. But you must consider the risk of doing the surgery because it requires post-op care.

Spaying and neutering can actually help your dog to be less aggressive and stop them from escaping your property in search of mates.

Always check with your veterinarian in these matters as they can provide more detailed information as it pertains to your Chow Chow in particular.

Samoyed Vs Chow Chow Size

When compared to Chow Chows, Samoyeds have an advantage where height is concerned.  Samoyeds usually stand at 19 to 24 inches in adulthood but Chow Chows usually have a height of 17 to 20 inches.

On the other hand, Chow Chows tend to weigh more than Samoyed dogs. Chow Chows usually weigh between 45 and 70 lb, while Samoyeds usually weigh approximately 35 to 65 lb.

This would make sense as Chow Chows are usually a bit more stocky in their appearance while Samoyed dogs have longer legs and are a bit more slender.

Factors That Affect Chow Chow Growth 

Genetics & Gender

Genetics are a big part of Chow Chow’s development and eventual size. You will notice that a young puppy will grow up to be around the same size as his parents.

Through heredity, dogs can pass down genetic factors like susceptibility to certain diseases and even behavioral traits.

As with most dog breeds, females tend to be slightly smaller than their male counterparts so gender usually affects the growth and size of a Chow Chow

Nutrition 

Proper nutrition for a Chow Chow dog is especially important because of their muscular build and maintaining their beautiful coats.  good nutrition is probably the single most important thing you can do for your dog to be healthy.

There are a number of ways to achieve good nutrition for a Chow Chow dog. If you have the time you can consider creating your own dog food with the best ingredients.

People tend to favor kibble because of its convenience. As long as your Chow Chow is receiving enough protein and healthy fats,  he should be fine.

Physical Activity & Health 

All those dogs need daily exercise end the Chow Chow is no different. Even though this dog breed tends to be more reserved you should try for about an hour of exercise per day.

Make sure that you do not engage them in vigorous exercise too early in their development. This could seriously affect the joints. Regular exercise helps your Chow Chow to maintain healthy muscles and bones. It can also drastically improve their life spans.

How Much To Feed A Growing Chow Chow Puppy?

Remember that Chow Chows are an ancient breed that has fulfilled many roles throughout time even though they were bred as companion dogs.

That said, it is quite easy for a Chow Chow dog to gain a considerable amount of weight.  This weight gain usually comes from eating too much food.

After weaning you can start your Chow Chow one half a cup of dry food. This should be split up into 4 meals throughout the day the consistency should allow him to easily adjust.

Every 3 months or so you can increase this amount by ¼ cup until adulthood. You should also reduce the frequency of the feedings.

Always remember that when your dog is an adult or senior they should be fed less food especially if they are not active. This is to avoid obesity which comes with a host of other conditions.

How To Tell If Your Chow Chow Is Underweight Or Overweight?

And there are a few ways that you can tell if your Chow Chow is overweight or underweight.  You can look at your Chow Chow from above to make sure that his skeleton is not visible.

It may be a bit difficult with the fur but you should see a noticeable dip around the waist area. This tells you that he is underweight. It is a bit more pronounced when he is overweight because then will be fat around the stomach area.

If you want to have more certainty, you can simply run your hands along your dog’s rib cage if you notice that there is a lot of fat then he may be overweight.

On the other hand if you can feel the ribs easily through the fur then you know he is underweight. In matters like these, it is always best to check with your veterinarian who can give a definitive answer about your dog’s state of health.

What Are The Most Common Conditions To Be Aware Of In Growing Chow Chow Puppies?

You may notice that Chow Chow dogs are usually in good health except for the obesity problem. They are not very active so it is easy for them to gain a lot of weight.

It also does not help that they love treats and food scraps you may be eating at any given time.

You can always increase their level of exercise and you need to watch the amount of food that you give them carefully.

Keeping your Chow Chow at the correct weight will save you a lot of money and energy because they will be less susceptible to harmful diseases. Apart from obesity,  your Chow Chow may have hookworms or joint issues because of their genetics.

Do Chow Chow Experience Growing Pain?

Panosteitis is the medical term used for growing pains in dogs. Your dog may be in a lot of pain when you touch his legs or he may be laying around more than usual.

Usually, it affects more than one limb at any given time. Panosteitis can also happen suddenly even though your dog has no history of the condition.

You will usually see this condition affecting dogs of a larger breed size but it can affect all dogs even medium-sized ones like the Chow Chow.

It happens during the growth and development of a dog but scientists have not come to a clear conclusion as to the reason why it takes place.

It could be due to genetics or environmental factors. You will notice your dog limping with no clear reason. In a case like this,  you should visit your veterinarian who will be able to treat the matter and make your dog as comfortable as possible.

What To Do If My Chow Chow Is Not The Right Weight?

In this article, we have outlined a few ways to track your dog’s weight and growth.  Apart from this, you can also visit your veterinarian who can provide valuable insight into your dog.

To understand if your dog has the right weight, you should compare it to the averages of other Chow Chow dogs.

If you realize that your dog has a weight that is diverse compared to the figures we have given, then you need to check with a professional.

There are also visible signs of being overweight and underweight so it would not be hard to come to a clear conclusion.

How To Help Your Chow Chow Lose Weight If He Is Overweight?

Your Chow Chow will gain weight faster as an adult and this is especially true because they are not the most active dogs. To maintain his weight you should pay special attention to diet.

Do not let your Chow Chow overeat and make sure he is getting enough exercise for strong muscles and bones.

Even though training may require treats for your dog you should try to reduce this for a Chow Chow because snacking between meals will only worsen the obesity problem.

You should also stop giving him table scraps for the same reason.  You can increase exercise by playing with your Chow Chow. It will help him to lose weight as well as bond with you.

How To Properly Weight My Chow Chow?

You should always weigh your dog to track his progress throughout his life. This is so that you can have a more concrete view of his health at any given time.

To properly weigh your Chow Chow you need to place him on a scale and simply record his weight. It is easy to do this when he is still a puppy because he will be smaller.

However, when your dog gets older you may need to step on the scale while holding him. Then record this weight measurement.

Next, you should step on the scale without your dog and also record this measurement. Your dog’s weight will be the difference between these two measurements you have taken.

Chow Chow Genetics And Common Health Problems

Because Chow Chows are purebred dogs, they suffer from a few genetic conditions.

This is why routine check-ups with your veterinarian are absolutely necessary so that you can detect any potential diseases early and therefore treat it better.

The veterinarian can simply conduct blood work and x-rays so that you can avoid future health issues. A few of these genetic conditions are:

• Hypothyroidism
• Musculoskeletal problems
• Glaucoma
• Cataracts

Chow Chows can also suffer from bloat because of their aesthetic build. Dogs with deep and narrow chests are more likely to bloat.

Bloating happens when your dog’s stomach is filled with gas so it blocks the stomach entrance. Diet and exercise can help with this bloat.

Final Words

Chow Chow dogs have long luxurious coats so you need to spend time grooming them.  Make sure that you have them sent to a groomer or do it for yourself.

They need to have their fur shampooed at least twice per month. You should also try to brush your Chow Chow every day to prevent matting.

You should start training your Chow Chow dog at a young age because they are a quite intelligent breed while in training.

They make good watchdogs so they can be parts of your security system if you so desire. But none of this can be achieved without proper training.

Because treats are not a good idea you will need to rely more on words of praise and affection while training.