How to brush a Chow Chow
In spring and autumn, Chow Chows shed heavily. Large amounts of fur may stick to household objects and to people, affecting indoor cleanliness, and if the dog swallows too much loose hair, digestion may also suffer. Regular brushing is therefore extremely necessary. It not only removes dirt and dust from the coat and prevents matting, but also promotes blood circulation, strengthens the skin's resistance, and helps reduce fatigue.
Brush the Chow Chow once in the morning and once in the evening, for about five minutes each time. Start at the neck and work from front to back and from top to bottom: from the neck to the shoulders, then across the back, chest, waist, and belly, then move to the head, and finally the legs and tail. Brush one side first and then the other. Brushing should follow the direction of the coat and be done with a quick but controlled motion.
Some people only brush the outer surface of a long-haired dog and neglect the undercoat. But the undercoat is soft and dense, and if it is not brushed regularly, it can easily form tangles and may even lead to eczema, ringworm, or other skin problems. When brushing long-haired dogs, the correct method is to separate the coat layer by layer, lifting the top layer and brushing down into the undercoat.
Special grooming tools should be used instead of human brushes or combs. A metal comb should be held gently by the back and moved with light wrist motion. Both wider and narrower tooth spacing can be used in turn. Brushes with many teeth can also be used by lifting the coat with one hand and brushing with the other. The action must be gentle and careful rather than rough, otherwise the dog may feel pain. This is especially important near sensitive areas such as the external genital region. While grooming, observe the skin. Healthy skin should look clean and pink. If you see redness, eczema, parasites, skin disease, or signs of allergy, treatment should be started in time.
How to bathe a Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is a relatively clean dog. It usually will not roll in mud like some other breeds and is not especially likely to pick fights. It is a good dog in that sense, although it may not always be highly affectionate with the owner. In general, you do not need to bathe a Chow Chow often. About once a month is usually enough.
Before bathing, prepare the necessary bathing tools: a tub, shampoo, comb, towels, scissors, a hair dryer, and nail clippers. Before the actual bath, first brush the dog and trim the nails. Brushing removes dust and dirt from the coat, and trimming the nails prevents the dog from scratching the owner if it becomes nervous during bathing. After grooming and nail trimming, the bath can begin.
The water temperature should generally be close to the dog's body temperature. In hot summer weather, it can be slightly cooler; in cold winter weather, slightly warmer. Before starting the bath, place the dog's paws into the water first. If the dog does not resist, continue. Wet the whole body thoroughly, then apply shampoo. Use both hands to rub gently over the body, especially the neck, limbs, belly, and hindquarters. Once the coat is cleaned, rinse the body thoroughly with water.
Because a Chow Chow's coat is thick and dense, it cannot simply be left to dry naturally. After the bath, use an absorbent towel immediately to blot away the water, then dry the coat completely with a hair dryer. Do not use overly high heat, or the coat may be damaged.