Description:
Xena is a very pretty Chow/Retriever mix that I am sad to say is looking for a new home. This one really hurts. You see, Xena first came to us in May of 2007. A month later she was adopted by a wonderful woman who was confined to a wheelchair. That didn't phase Xena one bit ~ she just loved Elizabeth. Imagine our heartbreak when Elizabeth's caretaker brought us back Xena, 18 months later, with the sad news that her owner had just undergone serious surgery requiring several months of rehab. I don't know who I feel worse for, Xena or Elizabeth. They had a wonderful bond and must now continue without one another....

Xena has a sweet gentle spirit. She absolutely loves children. At one adoption event she was under a pile of 5 kids and all you could see was her wagging tail and licking tongue. She so wants a family of her own!!! If you love the look of a chow - and when I say she is pretty, believe me, she is - but are a bit hesitant of their reputation for stubborness, you have to meet this angel. She is sweet, rather quiet and gets along with other dogs.



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 behaviora