Have you settled on getting a Chow Chow but are still undecided on whether to get a male or female dog? While breed standards maintain the Chow Chow’s characteristics, there are still notable differences between the two sexes.
Generally, male Chow Chows tend to be larger, more powerful, and more aggressive than females. On the other hand, female Chow Chows are smaller but agile, and they are deemed to be more affectionate. However, it is entirely up to the owner to make the best out of either dog.
When it comes to the breed’s sex, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but each sex is likely to have unique characteristics that may or may not work better with the owner’s personality and living situation.
Read on to understand the key differences between male and female Chow Chows. In this article, we will be comparing the two sexes based on different aspects such as health, behavior, and much more!
Physical Differences
Male Chow Chows
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC)’s breed standard, a full-grown adult Chow Chow should weigh from 45 to 70 pounds and measure 17 to 20 inches in height.
While the standard does not specify the weight and size for males, male Chow Chows are evidently larger than their female counterparts, as seen in their litters.
Male Chow Chows also have distinctly larger bones and better muscle development, particularly in their bodies and limbs. Moreover, their faces tend to be more blocky and wider compared to females.
While Chow Chows are known for their blue tongues and rough or smooth coats, sex has not been found to be a determinant of coat color, contrary to popular belief.
If you want to see a male Chow Chow, check out this video:
Female Chow Chows
In a litter of puppies, the female Chow Chow is always smaller than the male ones. In addition to their smaller scale, female Chow Chows also have thinner bones and less-defined muscles in their limbs and torso.
While they may be smaller, female Chow Chows are more refined than their male equivalents. Evidently, female Chows have a more slender and softer look, making their overall appearance more feminine.
Additionally, their faces will be smaller, thinner, and with less pronounced folds, and their smaller eyes and pointy ears will make them look more gentle and subtle. Regarding their coat, there are no apparent differences between the sexes.
Temperamental Differences
Male Chow Chows
For most dog owners, it is already common knowledge that Chow Chows can be aggressive to humans and animals outside their families. In general, male Chow Chows are more aggressive than female Chow Chows.
This may be credited to the fact that male Chow Chows are more territorial compared to females. This natural instinct helped them protect their territories, thus helping them survive.
Male Chow Chows may also be more alert when it comes to potential danger — outside sounds and sudden movements may suddenly tick them off. It is generally a good idea to socialize male Chow Chows to address this matter.
Female Chow Chows
Between the two, female Chow Chows are usually calmer as females are naturally nurturing to their families. In addition, they are more tolerant to distressing stimuli than male Chow Chows.
However, female Chow Chows may suddenly become temperamental. Most of the time, this is due to hormonal changes, particularly if the female is sexually mature and is in heat.
Moreover, some female Chow Chows may suddenly snap when unwelcomed guests attempt to get near their young puppies. Do note that the owners may be deemed unwelcomed guests by the mother.
As an owner of a five-year-old female Chow Chow named Aika, establishing a good relationship with it helped me have an upper hand when it comes to its mood swings and helped me gain its trust whenever it has a litter of puppies. However, Aika continues to be aloof with strangers.
Behavior and Training
Male Chow Chows
To start, male Chow Chows are extremely proud compared to female Chow Chows. In addition to their territorial instinct, males are also more dominant than the opposite sex. This implies that they are harder to train.
While they may seem hard-headed, their more aggressive behavior is advantageous for training since they will be more alert to commands. Additionally, a more aggressive dog is ideal for protection.
On the other hand, breeding Chow Chows for about five years and raising male Chows myself, the key to ensuring the best behaviors in the breed is with how they are handled and treated from the very beginning.
As they are shown love and affection, and with the right level of socialization as early as puppyhood, these aggressive tendencies will be softened by their adaptable and docile nature.
Meanwhile, since it is already given that male Chow Chows have the physical advantage, this lets them perform more physically-demanding commands with ease.
Further, a common problem with male Chow Chows is territorial marking. As the more territorial sex, some males will mark their territory by urinating — you can expect this in certain spots in your home.
Female Chow Chows
As mentioned before, female Chow Chows are more reserved and calm compared to their male counterparts. However, this may not be the case when it comes to playtime. Generally, female Chow Chows enjoy rough play.
With this, their play drive may pose a difficulty for training. However, a 2018 study suggests that female dogs are generally more observant than male dogs.
Therefore, it may be implied that female Chow Chows are better at picking up commands from training, giving them an advantage over male Chow Chows.
Additionally, it would be advantageous if a female Chow Chow was trained by a male owner. Female Chow Chows tend to be more compatible with male owners, and it is believed that they follow commands better with them.
Being less territorial, you would not expect to see a female Chow Chow marking their territory. If you observe this behavior, it may be caused by a psychological problem that requires professional help.
Health Differences
Male Chow Chows
As the heavier one between the two sexes, a male Chow Chow has an even greater risk of developing musculoskeletal problems. These are bone and joint issues, such as patellar luxation and hip dysplasia.
Moreover, male Chow Chows are at greater risk due to their activity. Male Chow Chows tend to be more active. Being more athletic than female Chow Chows, their joints suffer in the long run.
In addition, male Chow Chows may develop reproductive problems as they get older. However, these problems, such as hernias, are less threatening than the reproductive diseases of female Chow Chows.
Undoubtedly, neutering male Chow Chows is extremely beneficial. First, their aggression will be reduced, and territorial marking can be completely eliminated.
The risk for certain diseases, such as hernias, can also be reduced by simply neutering a male Chow Chow. Not only does this procedure alter their behavior, but also greatly benefits their health.
Female Chow Chows
According to a 2013 study, spayed female dogs generally live longer than males. However, the same study indicates that intact females live shorter than either intact or neutered males.
With this, it can be implied that spayed female Chow Chows live longer than male Chow Chows. Additionally, intact female Chow Chows are highly susceptible to diseases of the reproductive system.
Older intact female Chow Chows are predisposed to pyometra and even mammary tumors. That being said, it is generally a good idea to have your female Chow Chow spayed as early as permitted.
Although the Chow Chow breed is at risk for musculoskeletal problems, female Chow Chows have a lower risk of developing these due to their lighter weight compared to male Chow Chows.
With Other Dogs and Pets
Male Chow Chows
Although Chow Chows are sociable to some degree, they are generally possessive of their owners, which might have negative implications for other dogs and pets.
Moreover, male Chow Chows are more dominant than female Chow Chows. This adds to the innate possessiveness of their breed — they might even prohibit your other dogs from getting near you.
In cases where the male Chow Chow is not aggressive towards other dogs, they will usually avoid having contact with other dogs or ignore them.
However, smaller pets, such as hamsters and birds, are on the safer side. Male Chow Chows will not deem them as threats and do not have much prey drive.
Female Chow Chows
As the calmer dog, the innate possessiveness of a female Chow Chow is usually toned down. Because of this, it will not be aggressive towards other dogs and is usually more sociable.
However, there may be cases where a female Chow Chow clashes with another dog when in heat. Most of the time, the other dog will also be a female. Therefore, keeping a female Chow Chow with a male dog is better.
Similar to male Chow Chows, female Chow Chows will not exhibit a strong prey drive. Hence, smaller animals in your household or outdoors will be safer with a female Chow.
With Children
Male Chow Chows
While Chow Chows, in general, get along quite well with children, male Chow Chows should be supervised when playing with kids. This is because male Chow Chows tend to be more aggressive than females.
Moreover, male Chow Chows should be watched over when they are with younger children. Children that misbehave with male Chow Chows are more likely to be hurt by their pets.
Generally, male Chow Chows socialize best with children that already have proper knowledge in handling pets, as they will not pose any harm to male Chow Chows and endanger them both.
Female Chow Chows
Between the two sexes, female Chow Chows are the more nurturing ones, thanks to their natural maternal instincts. Because of this, female Chow Chows are easily better with children compared to males.
In addition to their nurturing abilities, female Chow Chows are also more tolerant of children. Unlike males, females do not get easily irritated by running and loud noises made by children.
While they may be better with children, it is still important to watch over them whenever they are with your kids. Also, note that a female Chow Chow in heat or with newborn puppies can be more aggressive than its male counterpart.
Pros and Cons of Male and Female Chow Chows
Male Chow Chows
Evidently, the bigger physique of male Chow Chows entails several advantages. First, their larger and wider build makes them intimidating for intruders and potential threats to your home.
Additionally, they are more powerful and more well-equipped to take down intruders when necessary. Their weight can pin down an average adult human, and their strong bite can do significant damage.
In addition to their capable bodies, male Chow Chows are innately more alert and protective of their territory. Once a male Chow Chow deems your home their territory, your family will surely be under their protection.
Moreover, they are excellent at sensing threats. Male Chow Chows tend to be alert at most times so they can prevent impending danger as early as possible.
However, a strong disadvantage of male Chow Chows is their aggression. At times, their aggression may be too much and may be troublesome for their owners.
Moreover, this aggression may manifest alongside their territorial instincts. A very territorial male may attack any human or animal that comes close to their territory.
In addition, the dominance of male Chow Chows may become a problem, particularly in training. Dominant dogs tend to be more challenging to train and can even overpower their master.
To help you further understand, summarized below are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a male Chow Chow:
| Pros | Cons |
| Larger and more powerful | Generally more aggressive |
| Alerts owner from danger | Tends to be territorial |
| Protective of its family | Dominant to an unassertive owner |
| Responsive to training | Can be a danger to younger children |
| Athletic and active | Urinates at marked territories |
Female Chow Chows
Truly, female Chow Chows are the affectionate ones between the two sexes. This makes them ideal for owners who simply want a loving family dog.
To add, female Chow Chows are exceptional at nurturing, thanks to their natural maternal instincts. Not only will this include their own kind, but also other animals and humans.
This entails that female Chow Chows will get along well with other pets in your home. Moreover, they will be quite gentle with harmless children, especially ones belonging to their human family.
Additionally, female Chow Chows can be welcoming when it comes to guests and strangers, so you would not have to worry about restraining this pooch.
In regards to their size, some owners who wish to own these dogs as work dogs might find this beneficial. Their smaller bodies make them more agile, which can also prove useful in tasks that require precise and swift action.
However, their small size may also be unappealing to some owners. After all, if protection is what you seek, you will most likely look for a larger dog.
Moreover, their gentleness is countered by the aggression that they show during the estrous cycle or heat cycle. Female Chow Chows in heat tend to be aggressive due to the stress brought about by hormonal changes.
Additionally, some female Chow Chows may show extreme aggression when protecting their younger puppies. While this does not always happen, some owners can’t even get near them during these times.
Although minor, the female Chow Chow’s excessive playfulness may be problematic during training.
To sum up, here’s a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of owning a female Chow Chow:
| Pros | Cons |
| Affectionate and nurturing | Smaller physique |
| Has good observation skills | Can be aggressive when in heat |
| Good with children | Playfulness can cause damages |
| Sociable and welcoming to guests | Reproductive problems can be expensive |
| Agile and suitable for nimble tasks | Tends to be harder to train |
Should You Get a Male or Female Chow Chow?
First, there is no definite answer to this question as it is entirely dependent on your preference, lifestyle, household, and even sex. Prospective owners vary in terms of these factors, so it would be beneficial to assess these first.
To start, if you prefer a Chow Chow that can act as a reliable protector for your home, then you should go with the more alert and powerful male Chow Chow.
A female Chow Chow may be for you if you prefer a more refined family dog. In addition to their gentler nature, female Chow Chows are smaller, will consume less dog food, and will be less likely to cause accidents.
A male Chow Chow will be more suitable for people who live an active lifestyle thanks to their physical advantage. However, a female Chow Chow’s smaller build and agility may also be advantageous.
In terms of household, a female Chow Chow will be the more appropriate choice. In addition to other dogs and pets, female Chow Chows will be less likely to harm children as they are more nurturing than males.
Ultimately, it would be wise to obtain a Chow Chow from a reputable breeder such that you will avoid Chow Chow puppies with problems as a result of irresponsible breeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Male or Female Chow Chows Calmer?
Excluding maternal aggression, female Chow Chows are generally calmer than male Chow Chows. Female Chow Chows will also tolerate bothersome noise and movement better than their male equivalents.
Female Chow Chows are generally calmer because their prevailing trait is to nurture. On the other hand, male Chow Chows are less calm due to their stronger territorial instincts.
You can expect a male Chow Chow to be more easily alarmed by startling noises because they tend to be more protective of their territory. Take note that if you take home a Chow Chow, your home is also its territory.
Are Male or Female Chow Chows More Affectionate?
Generally speaking, female Chow Chows are deemed more affectionate, but this may still vary depending on different circumstances. Moreover, a Chow Chow will almost always be more loving towards its primary owner.
Additionally, the sex of the owner is a contributing factor. Most of the time, Chow Chows will be more affectionate towards the opposite sex, regardless of whether it’s a person or other animals.
Female Chow Chows are usually more affectionate due to their natural maternal instincts. However, when a female Chow Chow feels that its puppies are being threatened, it may be more aggressive than a male Chow Chow.
Are Male or Female Chow Chows Easier to Train?
Some people may say that female Chow Chows are easier to train, while others say the opposite. To cut it short, the trainability of Chow Chows is not sex-dependent.
In general, the trainability of a Chow Chow depends on the dog’s behavior and the approach to training.
Final Thoughts
In summary, male and female Chow Chows may belong to the same breed but are worlds apart in some aspects.
In general, males are larger and more powerful at the price of their aggression. In contrast, female Chow Chows are gentler and more affectionate, yet they can be overwhelmingly aggressive at times.
After reading about the differences between male and female Chow Chows, it is also essential to assess your preferences, lifestyle, and situation. Compatibility between the owner and the dog is a must.
If you are confident with your judgment and have taken everything into consideration, not only will you be at ease, but also your Chow Chow. As a result, you will have a truly special bond with your future companion.
What are your thoughts about the Chow Chow breed? Let us know your stand on the topic of male and female Chow Chows in the comments below!
