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Love this dog!!! Queenie is a truly beautiful Chow/Retriever mix. She came to us originally as a puppy as part of our Hurricane Katrina rescue effort. In December she came back because her family was moving to a place they could not take her. So sad....
You'll really like Queenie. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside!!!

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, "the Chow Chow's structure is very similar to that of the oldest known fossilized dog remains, dated to several million years ago. The Chow has been known for thousands of years in China, where the breed was put to work as a hunter, cart puller and boat guard. One Emperor is said to have kept 2500 Chow pairs. One was given to the Prince of Wales, the future Edward Val. Over history, the Chow has been used to hunt wolves, sable and pheasant, and to pull sleds. His fur was used to trim coats. The flesh of these dogs was considered a delicacy in China. Dog is still eaten in China today. This beautiful dog was first brought to England by merchants in the late 1800's. The name probably originated from the pidgin English word "chow-chow," a term used to describe all sorts of miscellaneous stuff brought back from the Far East. The Chow has become very popular in the United States as a companion dog. Some of the Chow Chow's talents are watchdog and guarding.
The Chow Chow is usually well-mannered, but can be willful and protective. Bossy, serious and very independent. They are self-willed to the point of obstinacy. Often a one-person dog, very loyal to his family, though he may act reserved, even with them. If strangers push themselves on this dog, he may become aggressive. This very dominant breed requires a dominant owner. The owner of this breed of dog should be a calm person who is naturally fair and firm. With such a handler, the Chow Chow can develop well. Don't expect great obedience from them. They are born stubborn and with minds of their own. The dogs can learn because they are certainly not stupid, but they must see the point of your command. Be consistent at all times. Some experts claim the short-haired Chow is more active and learns faster than its longer-haired family member. One owner told me that their Chow can do tricks, and learns them quite easily at that. Here is a quote from the owner who has three children and three cats:
"My 8 year old white Chow performs a variety of "tricks," ranging from dancing on her hind legs on command to rolling over, and jumping from her hind legs into the air on command. She even knows the difference between "shake hands" and "shake," as in shake her mane to dry or fluff after a bath/brushing. After the first "trick" was learned at a very early age, she usually learns new activities through a process of three examples from her human friends, then she readily attempts the feats until successful. Her eagerness to learn from and please her two masters comes from her love of people. She loves being around people, even strangers. When threatened, or unsure of the circumstances she is facing, she quickly shows what is considered typical Chow behavioral tendencies: aggressive protection of her family and home."

So it all depends on whether or not your particular Chow wants to learn. This breed can be quite a handful, but it is otherwise polite and patient. Some do not accept leashes and collars easily, while others do not seem to mind. Most Chow Chows like to dominate other dogs, but in contrast, they are quite good with children. If they get to know cats and other household animals when they are young, they will get along with them when they are adults. They must be extensively socialized when very young to combat potential over-protectiveness as an adult. They need firm training right from the start. Their personality is mainly due to their past treatment. In China the Chow Chow was used for guarding things and for pulling carts. Its flesh was eaten and there was a market for its fur. This sad history, plus the lack of a single master (due to being a working dog) has dampened the personality of this extremely beautiful dog. It thus sometimes appears introverted, detached, and indifferent. Breeders have been working very hard to breed a Chow with a "family" temperament and with some success too. A well-bred and well-socialized Chow Chow can be just that - an excellent family dog." They have a life expectancy of about 15 years.

Good with Dogs, Good with Kids