Not ideal with young kids low energy
Are Chow Chows good with kids?
Chow Chows can be challenging around young children. They tend to suit families with older, calmer kids rather than toddlers or very young children.
Chow Chows are not ideal for families with young children
Better suited to households with children aged 8+ who understand how to interact respectfully with dogs. Always supervised.
The honest answer on Chow Chows and children
Chow Chows are not the easiest breed around young children.
Many Chow Chows live successfully with children. The bar for supervision, training, and teaching children how to interact is just higher than with a breed known specifically for family tolerance.
Strong family loyalty creates a natural protectiveness toward children in the household, without training or direction.
With toddlers and very young children (under 5)
Are Chow Chows safe around toddlers?
With toddlers, extra caution is needed. Chow Chows are generally better suited to households with older children who understand dog behaviour.
Toddlers are unpredictable, loud, and often don't read a dog's stress signals — which increases the risk of an incident.
Constant supervision and careful management of interactions is essential.
With older children (ages 6–12)
Are Chow Chows good with school-age children?
Older children (8+) are a much better fit for Chow Chows than toddlers.
Children who can follow instructions, read a dog's body language, and approach calmly have far more positive experiences.
Set clear rules: no disturbing the dog during meals or sleep, no teasing, no pushing.
With these boundaries in place, Chow Chows can develop real, affectionate relationships with older kids.
Key traits that matter for families
Temperament
aloof, loyal, independent
Energy
Low — calm companion
Training
Challenging — needs experienced handler
Size
Medium (20–32kg)
How to set your Chow Chow and kids up for success
Breed temperament is a starting point — how you manage the relationship matters just as much.
- Socialise early. Expose puppies to children of different ages from 8–16 weeks. Early positive experiences build lasting tolerance.
- Teach children dog rules. No pulling ears, tails, or fur. No approaching a dog that's eating, sleeping, or unwell. No staring directly in the eyes.
- Give the dog an escape route. Always provide a quiet space (crate, bed in another room) where the dog can retreat from children. A dog that can always escape rarely needs to escalate.
- Involve older children in training. Kids who can give commands and get responses feel respected by the dog. The dog learns to listen to them too.
- Never leave any dog alone with young children. Regardless of breed, track record, or temperament. Incidents happen in seconds.
See the full Chow Chow profile — temperament, costs, training and more.
Read the complete Chow Chow breed guide →More questions about Chow Chows and children
Should I get a Chow Chow if I have a baby on the way?
This combination is particularly challenging. Chow Chows aren't the most natural fit with very young children, and puppies are extremely demanding. Consider waiting until your child is older before adding a dog to the mix — or consider an alternative breed.
Are male or female Chow Chows better with children?
Individual temperament matters far more than sex. Properly socialised Chow Chows of both sexes can be excellent with children. The breeder's assessment of each puppy's character is more useful than a gender preference.
What age should children be before you get a Chow Chow?
For Chow Chows, we'd suggest waiting until children are at least 7–8 years old. Older children can understand dog boundaries and interact appropriately — which leads to better outcomes for everyone.