Coat Types and Colour
Chows come in 2 coat types, they come in a "rough" coat and a "smooth" coat.
The rough coat is the more common or "fluffy" type and the smooth coat is less well known.
Which one is right for you depends on your personal preference.
Rough coat although most common has the most up keep, with the smooth coat generally being easier to maintain.
With in the the rough coat you can have a longer length and a shorter length.
A rough coat no matter the length will have a softer texture.
A smooth coat will have a coarser more bristly feel to the coat.
It does affect the appearance of the dog, if you've fallen in love with a big bundle of fur then a rough coat is for you.
If you love everything that a chow stands for but the sight of all that fur gives you pause then a smooth coat may be for you.
Please keep in mind that a smooth coat will still shed 1 - 2 times a year.
They still have all the personality of a chow ( if not more - they can over compensate for not having as much coat) they just wont get matted and wont require as much brushing as a rough.
Also when desexing a rough coat it affects the coat, it tends to not shed in the same way and to get longer and fuller.
This doesn't happen with a smooth coat.
Shedding - Chows are a double coated breed this means they have a coarse outer coat and a soft under coat.
The soft under coat is what keeps them warm in winter they drop/ shed this coat coming into summer to cool them selves off.
This is when there is a lot of grooming required to get the shedding coat out. You will end up with garbage bags full of coat.
This is normal, do not panic!
You should not shave/clip a double coated breed. Their coat acts as insulation from all weather conditions. That being said their are some exceptions.
A dog with a large coat thats been desex and the coat has grown larger and is not shedding correctly may need to be clipped coming into summer.
ALWAYS check with your breeder before doing this. Do not let let your groomer or vet talk you into this before checking with your breeder.
DESEXING - this alters the hormones produced and affects the coat. It becomes softer and more like cotton wool. It doesn't shed in the same way it normally would and tends to grow in abundance, it may require "trimming" to tame the length. You shouldn't clip your chow off entirely, this effects their ability to regulate their temperature. It also affects how the coat will go back, and depending on when in their growth cycle you do it, it can take a long time to grow back. Only in extreme cases should this be considered.
Always consult with your breeder before going down the clipping path.
Desexing should be done after the dog is 12 - 18 months old at minimum. It is best for the dogs long term health and growth to wait until they are mature to desex.