Where do
rescued Chows
come from? |
Most abandoned Chows became that way through no fault of
their own. Some of them were given up by owners who moved, divorced or suffered a family
crisis and just couldn't keep them. Many of them are strays - dogs that were allowed
to run loose and became lost or were deliberately turned loose by their owners. The
average age of rescued Chows is 4-7 years old. Baby puppies are seldom abandoned so
rescue programs and shelters rarely have them. |
What happens
to the Chows
in rescue? |
Reputable rescue volunteers provide most necessary medical
care and vaccinations before adoption. All the Chows are spayed or neutered to make them
better pets and to keep them from adding to the overpopulation problem.
Dogs are vet-checked and temperament-tested before placement. |
Can adult Chows
really bond well
in new homes?
As well as a puppy? |
Absolutely! Many people think that adult Chows can't
adjust to new homes or be retrained, but that's just not true.
Adoption programs
couldn't exist if rescued Chows weren't as adaptable as baby puppies.
For testimonials from adoptive families, visit our Gallery of Happy Endings and see the results for yourself! |
Are there advantages
to adopting a grown dog instead of a puppy? |
* They're already housebroken *They're past the chewing or destructive stage.
*They've grown as big as they're going to get. No
surprises.
*The quality of their temperament is readily seen. |
What about temperament? |
Reputable rescue volunteers have an obligation to provide people with
healthy Chows of good temperament. They will not knowingly offer a Chow for
adoption that has a bite record or a temperament problem that can't be dealt with by
average training methods. Chow Chows from reputable rescue programs are adaptable, friendly and many of them are suitable
for families with children. |
Will a rescued Chow get along with
my other pets? |
If you already have another dog, for best long term compatibility,
we recommend that you adopt a Chow of the opposite sex. Arrangements can be made to bring
your first dog along to the adoption interview to see if it's going to be compatible with
the rescued dog. Some rescued Chows are also good with cats
and most of them can be trained not to harm cats. |
How about my children? Will a
rescued Chow be okay with them? |
Many rescued Chows are good with children.
Reputable rescue volunteers do their best to temperament-test dogs before adoption and place them with families that are
compatible with their personalities. A reputable volunteer will not place a Chow into a home with children if
they do not feel the dog will be a safe companion for them. The ages and activities of your
children will be important to the volunteers as they help you choose the Chow that will be the best
match for your family. Some rescued Chows are too exhuberant to be careful around babies
and toddlers. Before adopting or buying any dog, it is essential that
you understand your responsibilities in making the relationship between your dog and your
children safe and satisfying. If you have children or expect your dog to come in contact
with other people's children, please read Kids & Dogs Together Safely
before going any further in the process of getting a dog for your family. |
How do I
find
a Chow Chow to adopt? |
Visit the Chow Chow Club, Inc.
Welfare Committee's National
Chow Chow Information and Adoption Center. |
