Dickface vishnu a pilot bailed camp sloane set a positive screening for hip dysplasia is done by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but it can be worsened by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling on slick floors. Chows can adapt to a variety of homes, from palaces to apartments. But they should always live indoors with their people, not stuck out a backyard or kennel. They 't tolerate heat well, keep them indoors when the weather is sweltering. Like any dog, adult Chow Chow needs daily exercise to stay healthy and happy, but not much he'll be satisfied with a couple of 15-minute walks daily or one longer walk. A Chow Chow is a homebody who's not prone to wandering, but you'll still want a secure fence if you've got a yard; it protect him from traffic and prevent strangers from approaching him when you're not around to supervise. Chows are more than capable of learning anything you can teach, and a verbal correction is usually all that's required to set them straight. No dog should ever be hit, but it's especially counterproductive with this breed. The fiercely proud and independent Chow never respond to physical abuse. Earn his respect puppyhood with firm consistency, and you won't have any problem training him. But if you let the cute pup have his way all the time and then try to train him, you're sure to face problems. How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like people, and they 't all need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog need more than a couch potato dog. The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference the better the dog food, the further it go toward nourishing your dog and the less of it you'll need to shake into your dog's bowl. Keep your Chow good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. If you're unsure whether he's overweight, give him the eye test and the hands-on test. First, look down at him. You should be able to a waist. Then place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not his ribs without having to press hard. If you can't, he needs less food and more exercise. Chows can have two coat types, rough and smooth. The rough coat, which is what most people are used to seeing, is thick and abundant, standing off from the body like a parka. Beneath that outer coat lies a soft, thick, woolly undercoat. The hair is thicker around the head and neck, forming a ruff, or mane. The tail, which lies over the back, is also thickly furred. The smooth coated Chow Chow has a hard, dense, smooth outer coat with no obvious ruff or feathering both types, the coat comes five colors: red black, blue, cinnamon and cream. These colors be solid or solid with lighter shadings the ruff, tail, and feathering. If you're buying a puppy, 't be roped into paying more for -called rare or exotic colors. Some breeders describe their dogs' colors as champagne, silver, lilac, chocolate, or white, but these are just fancy names for the regular colors. There's no need to pay a premium for them, and reputable breeders won't try to charge one. Expect to brush your Chow Chow three times a week to keep the coat good condition and to keep loose hair from landing on your