Dark red is the accepted colour of the Chow. Modern judges will not
look twice at a light or parti-coloured dog, and it is to be feared
that if even Ch. Chow VIII. could revisit the scenes of his bygone
triumphs, his beautiful light markings would prove a fatal bar to
his success. The judges would be quite wrong, but if you want a dog
for show you must be sure to get a good whole-coloured dark red. If,
on the other hand, you have a Chow as a companion and friend, do not
be at all troubled if his ruff, yoke, culottes and tail are white
or cream-coloured. These are natural, correct and typical marks,
though present-day fanciers are trying to "improve" them away.

A list of points as drawn up by the Chow Chow Club some years ago
is added. The points are fairly right, but the tongue of a live Chow
is never black. It should be blue, such a colour as might result from
a diet of bilberries.

* * * * *

POINTS OF THE CHOW CHOW: HEAD--Skull flat and broad, with little stop,
well filled out under the eyes. MUZZLE--Moderate in length, and broad
from the eyes to the point (not pointed at the end like a fox).
NOSE--Black, large and wide. (In cream or light-coloured specimens,
a pink nose is allowable.) TONGUE--Black. EYES--Dark and small. (In
a blue dog light colour is permissible.) EARS--Small, pointed, and
carried stiffly erect. They should be placed well forward over the
eyes, which gives the dog the peculiar characteristic expression of
the breed--viz., a sort of scowl. TEETH--Strong and level.
NECK--Strong, full, set well on the shoulders, and slightly arched.
SHOULDERS--Muscular and sloping. CHEST--Broad and deep. BACK--Short,
straight, and strong. LOINS--Powerful. TAIL--Curled tightly over the