How often do Chow Chows need grooming?

Several times a week for brushing at minimum, increasing to daily during the twice-yearly coat blow, plus a professional groom every few months for many owners. This is a genuinely high-maintenance coat compared with most breeds.

Do Chow Chows shed all year round?

Yes, there is a steady lower level of shedding throughout the year, on top of two more dramatic seasonal blowouts, usually around the change of seasons, when a large amount of undercoat is released over a few weeks.

Are Chow Chows good for people with allergies?

No, they are one of the less suitable choices for anyone with a genuine dog allergy, given how heavily they shed and how much dander that spreads around the home. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but a Chow Chow is towards the more difficult end for allergy sufferers.

What tools help with a Chow Chow's shedding?

An undercoat rake or de-shedding tool designed for dense double coats is particularly useful, especially during the seasonal coat blow. A slicker brush for general use between deeper sessions, and a thorough drying routine after bathing, round out what most owners rely on.

Are Chow Chows hypoallergenic?

No, Chow Chows are not a hypoallergenic breed, and they are actually one of the heavier-shedding breeds around. Their coat is exceptionally dense, and while the everyday shedding is manageable with regular brushing, the twice-yearly coat blowout is genuinely significant and catches a lot of new owners off guard.

Why Chow Chows shed so much

A Chow Chow's double coat is one of the densest of any dog breed, built originally for a cold climate, with a thick undercoat beneath either a rough or smooth outer coat depending on the variety. That density means an enormous volume of hair is present at any one time, and it has to go somewhere as the coat renews itself.

Twice a year, usually around the change of seasons, Chow Chows go through a heavier shedding period often called blowing coat, where the undercoat releases in large amounts over a period of a few weeks. This is considerably more dramatic than the steady, lower-level shedding the breed does the rest of the year.

What the grooming actually involves

Regular brushing, several times a week and daily during a coat blow, is essential to keep on top of a Chow Chow's coat and prevent matting, which this breed is particularly prone to given how dense and easily tangled the undercoat is. A good undercoat rake or de-shedding tool makes a real difference during the heavier shedding periods.

Bathing needs to be done carefully and the coat dried thoroughly afterwards, since a damp undercoat left to dry naturally can mat and, in more severe cases, lead to skin problems underneath. Many Chow Chow owners find a professional groom every few months, alongside daily home brushing, keeps things manageable.

Why 'hypoallergenic' does not apply here

No dog breed is genuinely hypoallergenic, since the main trigger for most pet allergies is dander rather than the hair itself, and dander is shed by every dog regardless of coat type. A breed that sheds as heavily as a Chow Chow spreads a correspondingly large amount of dander around the home, which makes it a particularly poor choice for most people with a genuine dog allergy.

If allergies are a real concern in your household, a Chow Chow is very unlikely to be a comfortable choice, and it is worth looking at lower-shedding breeds and, more importantly, spending real time around any dog you are considering before bringing them home, ideally on more than one occasion and in an enclosed space rather than a brief outdoor meeting.

Kit for this breed

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Microfibre Pet Drying Robe

A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe that soaks up the wet fast after baths, swims and walks.

From£10.99

Absorbent Microfibre Dog Drying Robe

A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe with a handy front pocket to dry your dog off fast.

From£13.99

Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles

A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.

£18.99

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Common questions

How often do Chow Chows need grooming?: Several times a week for brushing at minimum, increasing to daily during the twice-yearly coat blow, plus a professional groom every few months for many owners. This is a genuinely high-maintenance coat compared with most breeds.
Do Chow Chows shed all year round?: Yes, there is a steady lower level of shedding throughout the year, on top of two more dramatic seasonal blowouts, usually around the change of seasons, when a large amount of undercoat is released over a few weeks.
Are Chow Chows good for people with allergies?: No, they are one of the less suitable choices for anyone with a genuine dog allergy, given how heavily they shed and how much dander that spreads around the home. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but a Chow Chow is towards the more difficult end for allergy sufferers.
What tools help with a Chow Chow's shedding?: An undercoat rake or de-shedding tool designed for dense double coats is particularly useful, especially during the seasonal coat blow. A slicker brush for general use between deeper sessions, and a thorough drying routine after bathing, round out what most owners rely on.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

PDSA — Pet Health Hub

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.