How the Chow got his blue-black tongue is also a mystery. Sailors returning from the east brought them back in the cargo hold of the great trade ships. Like a nickname, the term stuck to these dogs. Chows make exceptional house pets. They're one of the easiest breeds to housebreak.
Chows do, however, have a very different personality than other dogs.
Although their soft fur is ripe for hugging, they don't always enjoy being fussed over by children or strangers. For people who want a cuddly lap dog that will instantly love all their friends, the Chow is likely to be a disappointment. The Chow Chow is very intelligent but not always easy to train. They don't have the strong desire to please their masters as do breeds like the Golden Retriever. They seem to please themselves first and don't respond to the average methods of training and motivation.