Male Chows average between 55 and 65 pounds. Female average 45 to 55 pounds. The biggest male Chow I ever saw was 95 pounds. I ever saw was a female at 25 pounds. She looked like a Pomeranian.
Chows are highly susceptible to hip dysplasia .
Quality breeders have the hips of their breeding stock x-ray'd and certified by the O.F.A. Pet stores and backyard breeders don't do this. Hip dysplasia is very expensive to correct, if indeed the disease is not too advanced. Thyroid is easily treated but is often misdiagnosed as allergies, and it can cause aggression problems in some Chows. This causes irritation to the eye and could lead to blindness if not treated with surgery. They usually respond to a strong alpha person and hence the myth.