DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU BUY A CHOW

Do you know the Chow standard? Do you know the faults and disqualifications of the Chow Chow? Before you buy that IRRESISTABLE "ball of fluff" -- DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

Good breeders are out there but one has to look , listen to advice given, and most important do your research on the breeder and their pedigrees. Now, what does that entail you ask? First, make sure that both SIRE and DAM are OFA

certified and are sound -- as this could avoid a lot of heartache in the life of your Chow. Second, make certain of the temperment of the parents -- as this generally is passed down. Third, ask yourself about the breeder -- is that breeder OVER BREEDING to maintain their kennel? Is that breeder OVER BREEDING trying to breed "the perfect Chow" or wanting a certain color? And then lastly, ask yourself, where do ALL of these puppies end up that do not measure up?

In order to buy a sound, healthy Chow, we must do our homework. Talk to people who have a dog or dogs from that breeder. Some breeders only breed for a "color" and neglect to breed sound, healthy and good temperment dogs. If you want a Chow because of its color, then buy a faux fur coat or a stuffed toy dog -- it will not become ill, it will not have HD, eye problems, or luxating patella's. In addition, some breeders breed for a certain "look." Just remember, "looks can be deceiving" -- for example, a Chow that can't run or play because it is so heavy or will need a face lift because it can't see where it's going. Consider the "problems" that come with that "look." These are only a few things to avoid!

There are two types of breeders -- responsible and knowledgeable or irresponsible and unknowledgeable. A responsible breeder is one who always puts the best interest of the breed and of individual dogs first above any consideration of profit, trendiness or personal ambition. They produce a litter only after careful consideration of the physical qualities and temperment of the proposed parents, their individual strengths and weaknesses, how their pedigrees (ancestors) relate and what the proposed breeding would contribute to the improvement of the breed. BEWARE OF THE BREEDER who claims his/her dogs have no bad points or is "perfect" for everyone. Furthermore, a responsible breeder is also aware that all dogs carry genetic flaws just as humans do. The breeder must be knowledgeable about which flaws are most prevalent in their lines. The knowledge and skill of the breeder can have a tremendous bearing on how your puppy turns out. Remember, there are NO perfect Chows, just as there are no perfect people. PUPPY MILLS COME IN ALL FORMS -- over breeding is over breeding, point blank.

Why you ask is a person writing an article like this that has never bred a litter and has NO intentions of ever breeding? simple, BECAUSE I HAVE EXPERIENCED FIRST HAND THE HEARTACHE THAT COMES FROM NOT DOING YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE BUYING A CHOW!

LOTUS CHOWZ
Vicki Hochstetler