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Edward
C Ash's book 'Dogs - Their History and Development' makes
mention of excavations done at the
Tombs of Cheops (IVth Dynasty - 3600 BC) in Mongolia, Sinking &
Tibet where Chow-like dogs were
unearthed in tombs with their masters. These Chow-like dogs were
called Khufu dogs and were of the Spitz type.
Around about the 11th century BC, the Chow must have migrated with
the barbaric tribes of the north, as they
attacked China. "Foreign Chows" or "Tartar War Dogs"
were of Arctic origin, so named and described in
ancient records as heavily built with harsh, bristly hair, straight/stiff
back legs, blue tongues, black mouths,
lips just touching, not overlapping. Mention was made of their being
lion-like in appearance, powerful, and they
were known for their strength and hunting abilities. On harness,
tethered to a warrior on horseback, the dog would
be let out on a length of rope, allowed to bring down the enemy's
horse...
Once accepted in China as a multi-functional breed, it was used
as draught dog, hunter, herder of cattle,
fearless guardian and when prosperous times waned, as a source of
food and fur.
The Tang Emperor of the Yunan Province appointed 10 000 men to care
for 5 000 blue tongued hunters. They
hunted everything, from big game down to pheasants and quails. It
was documented that they were
high pitched yelpers when chasing game, but silent when confronting
intruders, once biting, not apt to let go.
In the Yunan province where the dogs were used to hunt musk deer,
they were described as Chow dogs of
larger size and weight, very active and sure-footed.
Other Chinese chronicles mention: "...square dogs that look
fierce, like lions, whom they resemble much by
neck being well covered with hair, face, colour and nails, falling
upon bears and boars. They seldom do bark
except in their hunting chase, and then they follow their game through
woods, thickets, thorns and most
difficult places..." "..strange animals and utterly different
from any other breed being of a suspicious nature,
surly and hostile to strangers but exceedingly courageous."
The Book of Rites (7th Century BC)
classified this dog as a hunting dog, used to attack wolves and
leopards, makes mention of its remarkable
powers of scent, its tactics on line and its great strength - which
is why it is often depicted in harness.
There is the well-known painting done nearly 2000 years ago, picturing
a dog, much like the Chow of today,
lying underneath a table, well groomed, red with the same expression
on the face.
Records surviving the 225 BC destructions, chronicle these dogs
as having large, broad heads, short muzzles,
small eyes, lips not overlapping - just touching, devoted to their
keepers but hostile to strangers, excellent
hunters and herders, used in wars. There is also mention of the
exceptional blue Chows bred in the monasteries
in Tibet, where the monks had been detailing their breedings (stud
books) since 13th century AD.
In 1780 Queen Victoria was presented with one that lived a long,
lonely life in a large cage at Windsor.
In the Rev. Gilbert White's book 'The Natural History and Antiquities
of Selborne' (1789), he makes
mention of a young gentleman who "..brought home a dog and
a bitch of the Chinese breed from Canton,
such as are fattened in that country for the purpose of being eaten
... with coarse bristling hair on their backs ...
their hind legs were unusually straight without any bend at the
hock or ham, to give them an awkward gait when
they trotted ... their eyes were jet black, small and piercing;
the inside of their lips and mouths of the same
colour as their tongues blue." In the UK in 1840, there was
a newspaper account of several Chows in London Zoo,
referred to as the Wild dog of China.
In 1887 the Earl of Lonsdale took an interest in the breed, bringing
the first good Chows to England. Given to
his relative, the Marchioness of Huntley, her daughter Lady Granville
Gordon kept the strain alive, and got the
breed recognized by the British Kennel Club. The Chow Chow breed
standard is said to be based on Ch Chow VIII.
In those years, the smooth Chow was as common as the rough Chow,
imported together as one breed.
Whilst maintaining it's unique characteristics over the centuries,
the Chow Chow is far better understood in
temperament today. It still does not trust strangers but it is not
the dog of war and fierce temperament
documented in centuries gone by.
A well bred and well socialised Chow today, makes an excellent family
dog, good, quiet guard,
and beware! it still has very strong hunting instincts! |
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