The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-18
SCOWL is LACKING
IN MODERN CHOW
In Several Other Respects
Type Popular Now Departs
From Standard.
COLOR EMPHASIZED HERE

The growing popularity OF the emo"
Chow has called forth many discussions
pro and con as to the correct type de
sired in this handsome breed. One ran
cier we'll versed In the points that shouil
constitute the correct type remarked re-
Gently that breeders In America had sac
rificed type for size and color. saying
that mos, of the specimens seen now
we're higher on the leg. lighter In bone
and longer in foreface than the big win
ners Of a few years ago
Looking back over the elbows seer IN
the past the name Of Mrs. James Deck
er's champion Chelsea Pensioner comes
to mind. This dog was all that coulu "
desired in type. In fact, ne IL saiu W
have been one Of the best buit and most
perfect specimens that has ever been
seen in this country. When he came out
n great cry was raised against his color
because he had light breechings n tail.
lie had a marvellous head. great bone 4
short back, and. In fact. everything, put
nevertheless American breeders did nor
approve OF his light breechings and tai
and were prone to overlook his great
quality on that account.
Champion Chinese Chum. the greatest
sire that has ever been known in inns
Interesting breed, was built on much the
same order as PeDsioner. He was "A
deeper red IN color. 1t is true. but n
makeup he was a replica OF Mrs. Deck
er's champion. Chinese Chum has his
name engraved in the history OF the
breed in no uncertain manner. lie
stands out prominently as the producer
OF more champions than any other dog
In the history Of the breed and was him.
self a big winner on the show bench. \
SON OF Chum's, Champion Eastern star,
owned by the Greenacre Kennels. Is
about the last OF the real old type OF
Chow. He is a dog moulded after the
old pattern.
The perfect CHOW. 10 be really good.
according TO the standard. must have a
broad, fat skull. must be we'll filled out
under the eyes. with a muzzle moderate
In length. and broad from eyes to point.
That description fits the head seen on
Chinese Chum and Eastern Star to per-
lection. but is in direct variance with
the style of head noticed on some OF the
elbows that have been winning Of late.
The scowl, a characteristic OF the breed
which gives them that fierce expression.
has also been sadly lacking in many
present day winners.
Forelegs straight. Of moderate length,
with great bone, says the standard. while
the general appearance. as set forth In
the official standard. Is that OF a lively
compact, muscular. short coupled dog.
we'll init in frame. with tail curved over
the bac For some time judges have
passed the short coupled. compactly built
little dog for the rangier, leggier and
longer backed type. Whether the change
has been a beneficial one for the breed
or not. Is an open question. Many have
shown a marked preference for the older
type and a few have been heard to de-
plore the fact that the moderate In
length. well filed under the eye foreface
and the compactly built, short coupled,
heavily boned little dogs have given way
to the newer. RANGER type.
II the new type is right. then the old
type Is decidedly wrong, and the stand
ard needs revision but II the old type
Il to be ~perpetuated, breeders must look
more 10 the bone. heads. n compact
ness Of their dogs and not allow color
and size to sway them entirely in their
breeding operations. .
Another matter that has been brought
1p frequently Of late in connection with
this breed is the fact that the dogs
owned in this country are all closely in
OIeu, ilost VI llc Ieduiflk WlIlIbtIs CO.V-
Ing from the same fountain head. and In
pedigrees the name OF many leading
sires will appear several times.
This will in time ten to undermine
the constitution of these dogs and no
doubt has a its effect already In the
shy breeding which many fanciers COM
plain of. The remedy seems simple
enough. and II some American fancier
would have the foresight TO import new
blood from China to cross with those
now bred here the general constitution
Of the animals would be strengthened.
The dogs from China are not quite up TO
tho standard of our best show dogs.
but they are exceptionally strong in
many points and would make ideal out
crosses. Chinese specimens are noted
for their tremendous scowls. short.
blocky heads with blunt muzzles, small
eyes and good bone. They are not
quite the size Of the English or Ameri-
can bred dogs II their coats are not
as profuse. In China the predominat!ng
colors are creams. bufYs and shaded brin-
dies, with reds and blacks scarcer. and
the blues a rarity.
Another avenue open to American
breeders for the strengthening Of their
strains Is England. where the Chow has
for some years been looked upon with
AeSOi' op'Iiiilcio CaH no obtained IneTe
which have a different line Of blood from
American dogs and which would be of
inestimable value as an outcross. Some
say that the English bred elbows do not
measure up to the standard of the home
bred ones, but this seems a fallacy as
such great winners as Champion Chinese
Chum. Champion Ackum, Dinky Of New
lands, Champion Duchess Of Mona and
many other big winners claim the Brit
ish Isles as their birthplace. Perhaps
II Is true that the English winners do
not correspond to the type of cur pres
ent day winners. for the English have
not laid the same stress on color and
size that Americans have and they have
been more Interested in the developing Of
typey specimens regardless Of color.
Americans taboo a cream colored epeci-
men. but the English do not overlook
. dog OF that color II he has the other
and more essential qualifactions-type
and quality.