Chow Chows come from China, where they are one of the oldest known dog breeds. Genetic studies place them among the most ancient lineages of domesticated dogs, originating alongside other East Asian breeds thousands of years ago. Their DNA is remarkably close to that of gray wolves, confirming they split off very early in the history of dog domestication.
One of the Oldest Dog Breeds Alive
A 2017 genomic study published in BMC Genomics analyzed whole genome sequencing data from dozens of canids and confirmed that the Chow Chow is one of the most basal dog lineages in existence. “Basal” means it branched off near the very beginning of dog evolution, before most modern breeds diverged from one another. East Asian breeds as a group carry the highest amounts of genetic variability among all dogs worldwide, and the Chow Chow sits near the top of that ancient cluster, second only to wild canids like the dingo and the New Guinea singing dog in its genetic closeness to gray wolves.
The breed originated from Chinese indigenous dogs very early in the domestication timeline. It shares deep common ancestry with other East Asian breeds like the Shar-Pei, Akita, and Jindo, all of which emerged from the same early population of dogs that first diverged from wolves in the region.
What They Were Bred to Do
In ancient China, Chow Chows were versatile working dogs. They served as guard dogs and hunting companions, and their sturdy build and dense double coat made them well suited to cold northern climates. They were also raised as a food source, which earned them the old nickname “the Edible Dog.” While that role is uncomfortable by modern Western standards, it reflects how deeply integrated these dogs were into daily Chinese life for centuries.
How the Breed Got Its Name
The name “Chow Chow” has nothing to do with the Chinese language itself. It most likely comes from 19th-century pidgin English, where “chow-chow” was a catch-all term used by British traders for miscellaneous small items in cargo shipments from East Asia. The word had been in use since at least 1795 to describe mixed pickles, preserves, or any sort of medley, possibly derived from the Cantonese word for “to fry” or “to cook.” When these unusual-looking dogs arrived in England aboard trade ships, they were lumped in with other exotic goods and the name stuck. Some sources also connect it to the Cantonese word for “edible,” tying back to the breed’s history as a food source.
Arrival in England and the West
Chow Chows first appeared in Britain in the mid-1800s. Queen Victoria reportedly added a Chow to her kennel at the palace in 1865, though she may have owned Chinese dogs as early as the 1840s. Several Chow Chows were also housed at the London Zoological Gardens, where they were labeled “the wild dog of China,” treated more as exotic curiosities than companion animals.
The breed’s profile grew steadily over the following decades. In 1880, a black female named Chinese Puzzle became the first Chow Chow exhibited at the Crystal Palace dog show. The Earl of Lonsdale began importing high-quality Chows from China in 1887. By 1895, a dog named Chow VIII, born in China and brought to England by Miss Bagshaw, became the first of the breed to earn a championship title in Britain. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Chow Chow in 1903.
The Blue-Black Tongue
The Chow Chow’s most famous physical trait is its blue-black tongue, a feature shared by only a handful of dog breeds. The color comes from an overproduction of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing pigment. It’s the same basic mechanism behind freckles or birthmarks in people, just concentrated across the entire tongue and sometimes the gums.
Researchers have identified strong genetic signals in Chow Chows for two specific genes related to pigmentation (ASIP and PDPK1), which are also found in other animal species. But exactly why this trait became fixed in the breed remains something of a mystery. The blue tongue is so characteristic that it’s considered a breed standard requirement: a Chow Chow without one would raise questions about its pedigree.
Connection to Chinese Guardian Lions
The stone lion statues that guard the entrances to Chinese temples, palaces, and homes are often called “foo dogs” in English. That name exists largely because the statues bear a resemblance to breeds like the Chow Chow and Shih Tzu. They’re actually meant to depict lions, not dogs, but the physical similarity to thick-maned, broad-faced Chow Chows is hard to miss. Whether Chinese sculptors were directly influenced by the breed’s appearance or the resemblance is coincidental isn’t settled, but the association has been part of the Chow Chow’s cultural identity for a long time.
Where They Stand Today
Chow Chows are no longer the wildly popular breed they were during periodic surges in the 20th century. In the American Kennel Club’s 2024 popularity rankings, they sit at number 88 out of all recognized breeds. They remain a niche choice, prized by owners who appreciate their independent temperament, lion-like appearance, and deep history. Their aloof, cat-like personality is a poor fit for people expecting a typically eager-to-please dog, which keeps their numbers relatively modest compared to more mainstream breeds.