Grooming the Chow Chows
Every day is a grooming day here at the farm.
I have always been a firm believer in regular brushing and bathing for all my furred friends. My gorgeous Chow Chows, Empress Qin and Emperor Han have dense double coats, so they are groomed and checked for ticks and fleas every afternoon. During grooming time, their faces and ears are also wiped thoroughly. Sharing a home with any pet is a huge responsibility - it requires time, knowledge, and commitment to ensure every animal gets the best possible care.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- In the basement of my Winter House, I have a hydraulic grooming table. It has a durable Z-lift base and can be controlled from both sides. The table also has a non-slip rubber surface, so pets don’t slip.
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- First up is my champion Chow Chow Empress Qin. She is three years old. All my dogs are introduced to grooming early in life, so they are very accustomed to the routine.
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- Carlos starts by grooming Qin’s back and neck. A Chow Chow has a thick double coat which should be brushed often to remove all the dead hairs.
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- Look at all the fur removed after just a few strokes. And, do you know the difference between hair and fur? Actually, hair and fur are chemically indistinguishable. Both have the same keratin composition. The primary difference between hair and fur is simply the word usage. Fur is the collective term used to describe the hairs on any mammal other than human.
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- I have several good grooming tools available on my shop on Amazon, including my massage brush and my multipurpose brush in two sizes.
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- I also have this 2-in-1 detangle comb. The dual sided comb is so light and easy to use, and gets out tangles and dander, and makes grooming quick. It’s great for cats and dogs.
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- Qin is so comfortable on the table. Next, Carlos brushes her arms and paws. It is important to brush down to the skin to ensure any mats that have formed are completely removed.
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- Carlos does the other side. And look, another special trait of the Chow Chow is its blue-black tongue. Qin is smiling at the camera.
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- Here is a view from above. Chow Chows are powerful, compactly built dogs. Here, one can see her good shape – my dogs are also well-exercised here at the farm.
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- Another distinctive feature of this breed is the curly tail. The tail has thick hair and lies curled over its back.
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- Lastly, using a damp cloth, Carlos wipes around the eyes and carefully cleans around the outside of the ear canal – never inside.
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- My big handsome boy, Emperor Han, is next. Han loves the grooming table and will jump up on the table himself.
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- Here, Carlos is brushing underneath Han, making sure to get his armpits, stomach, and inner thighs where mats can also form.
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- Another important area to brush thoroughly is under the neck. Chow Chows have a lot of coat around the head, giving it a lion-like appearance, so this area can easily get matted.
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- And of course, his back – hard to tell which end is which.
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- When brushing, it’s also a good idea to hold the coat with one hand, while brushing with the other, so the hairs are not pulled – this makes it a more enjoyable experience for the dog. During this time, try to inspect the skin for any scratches, irritations, or allergies.
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- Chow Chows come in five colors: this red, which can be light golden to deep mahogany, black, blue, cinnamon and cream. Both Han and Qin are red Chows, but I’ve also had black Chow Chows.
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- Carlos and Han are good friends. Here, Carlos is just finishing up Han’s face and ear cleaning. What a good boy you are, Han.
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- And look at all the dead undercoat removed from both dogs – that’s a lot!
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- Here is Han taking a break after his grooming session. The Chow Chow’s large head with broad, flat skull and short, broad and deep muzzle is proudly carried and accentuated by the big ruff and pronounced scowling expression.
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- Next, all four dogs have their afternoon meal. These are my Martha Stewart pet bowls from a past collection – they are made to last. I feed a good quality kibble mixed with my own home-prepared food.
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- If you follow my blog regularly, you may know I also cook for my dogs. Once a month, I love to make my dogs a good supply of home-cooked food. Preparing my own dog food has many benefits – fewer preservatives and additives, more varied and potentially better ingredients and, of course, more of what I know my dogs will enjoy. I also know the food is from wholesome, organic, reputable sources – and that is very important to me.
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- And here are my French Bulldogs, Bete Noire and Creme Brulee, out in the back doggie courtyard behind my Winter House kitchen. I think they are waiting for their meal.
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- And my freshly groomed Chow Chows, Emperor Han and his sister Empress Qin – clean, happy, and once again guarding their domain, or patiently waiting for a visitor to play with them. The Chow Chow is an ancient breed of northern Chinese origin. As an all-purpose dog of China, it was used for hunting, herding, pulling and protection. See you soon, my dear doggies.
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