The Chow Chow is more than 2,000 years old as a breed and many authorities believe it may date back much farther. The breed probably originated, as one popular theory states, as a result of crossing the old Mastiff of Tibet and the Samoyed, a breed originating from the northern parts of Siberia.

While today the Chow is a fashionable pet and guard dog, in the early development of the breed it functioned as a sporting dog. The importation of Chows into England began after Queen Victoria took an interest in this “Wild Dog of China, ” as it was called when on display in the London Zoo.

The Chow Chow is extremely protective and loyal, although he does have a tendency to be a one-man dog.