What are the main health problems in Chow Chows?

Chow Chows are predisposed to several notable health issues, the most characteristic being eye problems, especially entropion. The breed's heavy facial features and skin folds around the eyes make entropion (eyelids rolling inward so the lashes irritate the cornea) very common, and it often requires surgical correction. Other significant issues include hip and elbow dysplasia (joint malformations leading to arthritis, common in the breed's stocky build), patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps), and various skin problems, the dense coat and skin folds predispose Chows to hot spots, dermatitis, and infections, especially in damp conditions. They can also be prone to hypothyroidism, some are affected by bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus, a deep-chested-breed emergency), and the breed's deep-set eyes and dense coat require ongoing attention. Chows have a lifespan of roughly 9 to 12 years. Reputable breeders health-test for hips, eyes, and other issues; with a rescue you cannot control breeding, but you manage risk through good weight control, diligent coat and skin care, prompt attention to eye problems, and routine veterinary care.

Why is entropion such a big deal in Chow Chows?

Entropion is arguably the signature health issue of the Chow Chow, and it deserves special attention because it is both very common in the breed and genuinely painful and damaging if untreated. Entropion is a condition where the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes and hair to rub against the surface of the eye (the cornea); this constant irritation is painful and can lead to corneal ulcers, scarring, and even vision loss over time. The Chow's heavy brows, deep-set eyes, and facial skin folds make the breed especially prone to it, and it often affects both eyes. Signs include squinting, excessive tearing, redness, pawing at the eyes, and sensitivity to light. The good news is that entropion is very treatable, corrective surgery to reposition the eyelids is a common, generally successful procedure that resolves the problem and relieves the dog's discomfort. If you notice signs of eye irritation in a Chow, see the vet promptly, as early treatment prevents corneal damage. For prospective owners, entropion is a real and fairly likely cost to budget for, and a strong argument for pet insurance taken out before it is diagnosed.

How long do Chow Chows live and how do I keep mine healthy?

Chow Chows typically live around 9 to 12 years. You cannot change a rescue dog's genetics, but you have real control over the factors that most affect health and longevity. The big ones for a Chow: keep the dog lean (obesity worsens the joints and general health), stay on top of diligent grooming and skin care (essential for this coat-intensive, skin-issue-prone breed), watch the eyes closely and act promptly on any sign of entropion or irritation, provide appropriate moderate exercise while carefully managing heat (the dense coat makes Chows heat-sensitive), and keep up routine veterinary care so joint, thyroid, eye, and skin issues are caught early. Know the signs of bloat and have an emergency plan given the breed's deep chest. Dental care, parasite prevention, and current vaccinations round it out. A Chow that is kept lean, well-groomed, protected from heat, and regularly checked, with prompt eye care, has the best shot at a full, comfortable life, and much of that is consistent, informed daily care.

Chow Chow Health Issues: A Vancouver Owner's Guide

Q: Do Chow Chows have hip and joint problems?

Yes, hip and elbow dysplasia are common in Chow Chows, as in many medium-to-large stocky breeds. These are malformations of the joint that lead to arthritis, pain, and reduced mobility over time, and the Chow's heavy, solid build can add strain. The breed can also experience patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps). Signs of joint problems include stiffness, difficulty rising, reluctance to exercise or climb stairs, limping, or an altered gait. Management ranges from weight control, joint supplements, appropriate exercise, and anti-inflammatory medication for milder cases up to surgery for severe ones. As always, the single most important thing an owner controls is weight, keeping a Chow lean significantly reduces the load on the joints and slows arthritis. Appropriate moderate exercise that maintains muscle without overstressing the joints also helps, and Vancouver's trails and cool climate make regular walks easy (with heat caution in summer). When adopting, ask the rescue about any known mobility issues, and start good weight and joint management from day one.

Q: What skin and coat problems affect Chow Chows?

The Chow Chow's dense double coat and skin folds, while part of the breed's appeal, make skin and coat problems a real and ongoing concern. The thick coat can trap moisture and debris against the skin, and the folds (especially around the face and any deep body folds) create warm, moist conditions where hot spots (acute moist dermatitis), bacterial or fungal infections, and general skin irritation can develop, particularly in damp climates like Vancouver's. Regular, thorough brushing and grooming is essential not just for the coat but to keep the skin healthy, and diligent drying after wet weather matters. Chows can also be prone to allergies that affect the skin. Preventive care, keeping the coat clean and well-brushed, drying thoroughly, and monitoring the skin (especially in folds and dense areas) for redness, odour, moisture, or irritation, goes a long way. Never shave the coat except for medical reasons, as it protects the skin and regulates temperature. Skin issues in Chows are largely manageable with consistent grooming and prompt attention, but they are a genuine part of the breed's care commitment.

The short answer

The Chow Chow's standout health concern is entropion (eyelids rolling inward, painful, common in the breed, often needing surgery on both eyes). Other issues: hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, skin problems (hot spots and infections from the dense coat and folds, worse in damp weather), hypothyroidism, and occasional bloat. Lifespan is ~9 to 12 years. The levers you control: keep the dog lean, groom diligently, watch the eyes and act fast on irritation, and manage heat. Because entropion is both likely and expensive, the insurance case is strong, insure while the dog is young, before it's diagnosed.

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A Chow Chow having its eyes examined at a Vancouver veterinary clinic — The Chow's heavy brows and deep-set eyes make entropion likely. Prompt eye care and diligent grooming are the two biggest health habits.

The Chow Chow's health map is dominated by one issue, entropion, but it is not the only one. Knowing the breed's predispositions lets you catch and manage problems early. Here is the medical picture, condition by condition.

Entropion, the signature issue

Entropion is arguably the signature health issue of the Chow Chow, both very common in the breed and genuinely painful and damaging if untreated. The eyelid rolls inward, causing the lashes and hair to rub against the cornea; this constant irritation is painful and can lead to corneal ulcers, scarring, and even vision loss. The Chow's heavy brows, deep-set eyes, and facial folds make it especially prone, and it often affects both eyes. Signs: squinting, excessive tearing, redness, pawing at the eyes, light sensitivity.

The good news: entropion is very treatable, corrective surgery to reposition the eyelids is a common, generally successful procedure that resolves the problem and relieves discomfort. If you notice signs of eye irritation, see the vet promptly, early treatment prevents corneal damage. For prospective owners, entropion is a real and fairly likely cost to budget for, and a strong argument for pet insurance taken out before it is diagnosed. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists maintains resources on hereditary eyelid conditions.

Hips, elbows, and weight

Hip and elbow dysplasia are common in Chow Chows, as in many medium-to-large stocky breeds, joint malformations that lead to arthritis, pain, and reduced mobility, with the Chow's heavy, solid build adding strain. The breed can also experience patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps). Signs: stiffness, difficulty rising, reluctance to exercise or climb stairs, limping, or an altered gait.

Management ranges from weight control, joint supplements, appropriate exercise, and anti-inflammatory medication for milder cases up to surgery for severe ones. The single most important thing an owner controls is weight, keeping a Chow lean significantly reduces joint load and slows arthritis. Appropriate moderate exercise that maintains muscle without overstressing joints helps, and Vancouver's trails and cool climate make regular walks easy (with heat caution in summer). Ask the rescue about known mobility issues, and start good weight and joint management from day one.

Skin and coat problems

The dense double coat and skin folds make skin and coat problems a real and ongoing concern. The thick coat can trap moisture and debris against the skin, and the folds create warm, moist conditions where hot spots (acute moist dermatitis), bacterial or fungal infections, and irritation can develop, particularly in damp climates like Vancouver's. Regular, thorough brushing and grooming is essential not just for the coat but to keep the skin healthy, and diligent drying after wet weather matters. Chows can also have skin allergies.

Preventive care, keeping the coat clean and well-brushed, drying thoroughly, and monitoring the skin (especially in folds and dense areas) for redness, odour, moisture, or irritation, goes a long way. Never shave the coat except for medical reasons, it protects the skin and regulates temperature. Skin issues are largely manageable with consistent grooming and prompt attention, but they are a genuine part of the breed's care commitment. Our adoption guide covers the grooming commitment in detail.

Lifespan and keeping a Chow healthy

Chow Chows typically live around 9 to 12 years. You cannot change a rescue dog's genetics, but you control the factors that most affect health: keep the dog lean, stay on top of diligent grooming and skin care, watch the eyes closely and act promptly on any sign of entropion or irritation, provide appropriate moderate exercise while carefully managing heat, and keep up routine vet care so joint, thyroid, eye, and skin issues are caught early.

Know the signs of bloat and have an emergency plan given the breed's deep chest. Dental care, parasite prevention, and current vaccinations round it out. A Chow that is kept lean, well-groomed, protected from heat, and regularly checked, with prompt eye care, has the best shot at a full, comfortable life, and much of that is consistent, informed daily care.

Is pet insurance worth it?

For a Chow Chow, pet insurance is well worth considering, largely because of the breed's fairly predictable risk of costly eye surgery (entropion correction is common and often bilateral), plus the potential for hip or joint surgery, skin management, and other issues, and Vancouver vet care is not cheap. The signature entropion issue makes the insurance case stronger than for many breeds, because it is both likely and expensive.

The key, as always, is to take out insurance while the dog is young and healthy, before any condition, especially entropion or a joint issue, is diagnosed and excluded. This matters a lot for Chows given how common entropion is. Compare providers, understand coverage and any breed-specific limits, and read the fine print. For many owners, insurance turns the fairly predictable eye and joint risks into a manageable monthly cost. If you self-insure, budget a solid vet fund with entropion surgery specifically in mind. See our Vancouver adoption and ownership costs guide for the numbers.

Browse adoptable Chow Chows in Vancouver

Rescue Chows come vet-checked, and a good rescue will share a dog's known eye, joint, and skin history so you can adopt informed. Refreshed regularly across Lower Mainland rescues.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main health problems?

Entropion (the signature issue) and other eye problems, hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, skin problems from the dense coat, hypothyroidism, and occasional bloat. Lifespan ~9 to 12 years. Weight control, grooming, and prompt eye care are the biggest levers.

Why is entropion such a big deal?

The eyelid rolls inward so lashes rub the cornea, painful and damaging if untreated, and the Chow's heavy brows make it very common, often in both eyes. It is very treatable with surgery. Act promptly on eye irritation. It is a likely, expensive cost, a strong argument for insurance.

Do they have hip and joint problems?

Yes, hip and elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation are common in the breed's stocky build. Keeping the dog lean is the biggest thing you control. Appropriate moderate exercise helps, easy with Vancouver's trails, with heat caution in summer.

What skin problems affect them?

The dense coat and folds trap moisture and cause hot spots, infections, and irritation, worse in damp Vancouver. Regular brushing, thorough drying, and monitoring the skin prevent most of it. Never shave the coat, and watch for allergies.

How long do they live?

Around 9 to 12 years. Keep the dog lean, groom diligently, watch the eyes, manage heat, and stay on routine vet care to give a Chow the best shot at a full, comfortable life. Know the bloat signs given the deep chest.

Is pet insurance worth it?

Strongly, because entropion surgery is both likely and expensive (often on both eyes), plus joint and skin risks. Take insurance out while the dog is young, before entropion is diagnosed and excluded. If you self-insure, budget specifically for entropion surgery.