Chow Chow Dog Health Problems: Complete UK Owner’s Guide (2026)

Chow Chow dog health problems are something every owner of this magnificent, lion-like breed needs to understand — not to worry needlessly, but to know what to watch for and when to act. The Chow Chow is an ancient, proud breed with a personality all of its own. But that same distinctive physique that makes them so striking also comes with a set of health considerations that every owner deserves to know about upfront.

This guide covers the conditions most commonly seen in Chow Chows in the UK, what symptoms to look out for, what you can do to reduce the risks, and — crucially — when to pick up the phone to your vet rather than Googling at midnight.

Understanding Chow Chow Dog Health Problems: An Honest Overview

Let’s be straightforward about this: the Chow Chow is not the easiest breed to keep healthy. That’s not a reason to avoid the breed — far from it — but it is a reason to go in with your eyes open. These dogs can be stoic to a fault, meaning they’ll often mask pain and discomfort until a problem is quite advanced. That makes attentive, proactive ownership all the more important.

According to the Kennel Club UK, Chow Chows are one of the breeds on their Breed Watch list, with several points of concern that judges and breeders are encouraged to monitor. The breed has a predisposition to conditions affecting the joints, eyes, skin, and thyroid — all of which we’ll cover in detail below.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the most significant conditions:

Chow Chow Dog Health Problems: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

If there’s one area where the Chow Chow genuinely struggles more than many breeds, it’s joint health. Hip dysplasia — where the ball and socket of the hip joint don’t develop properly — is one of the most widely reported Chow Chow health problems in the UK. Elbow dysplasia follows a similar pattern, affecting the front legs and causing lameness that many owners initially mistake for a sprain or temporary soreness.

The tricky thing with both conditions is that symptoms can be subtle at first. Your dog might seem slightly stiff after a rest, be reluctant to jump into the car, or show a slight “bunny hopping” gait when running. By the time obvious limping develops, the joint damage can already be significant.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) hip and elbow scoring scheme exists precisely for this reason — responsible breeders should have both parents scored before breeding. If you’re buying a Chow Chow puppy, always ask to see the hip and elbow scores of both parents. A lower score means healthier hips.

Symptoms to watch for

• Stiffness after rest, especially in the morning
• Reluctance to climb stairs, jump, or get into the car
• “Bunny hopping” gait when running
• Visible muscle loss in the hindquarters
• Whimpering or flinching when the hip area is touched

Chow Chow Eye Problems: Entropion and Beyond

The Chow Chow’s famously deep-set eyes and heavy facial folds are part of what makes the breed so distinctive — but they also create a genuine vulnerability. Entropion, where the eyelid rolls inward causing the eyelashes to constantly rub against the cornea, is one of the most commonly reported Chow Chow health problems in the UK. It’s uncomfortable at best and genuinely painful in more severe cases.

Left untreated, entropion can cause corneal ulcers and, in extreme cases, permanent vision damage. The good news is that it’s usually correctable with a relatively straightforward surgical procedure — but the sooner it’s caught, the better the outcome.

Beyond entropion, Chow Chows are also at increased risk of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) and cataracts as they age. Annual eye checks with your vet — and prompt attention to any squinting, discharge, or eye-rubbing — are essential for this breed.

The Animal Health Trust’s BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme provides eye testing for breeding dogs. As with hips, always ask to see eye test certificates for both parents when buying a puppy.

Bloat in Chow Chows: The Emergency Every Owner Must Know About

This section might be the most important one you read. Gastric dilatation-volvulus — known simply as bloat — is a condition where the stomach fills with gas and then twists on itself, cutting off blood supply to surrounding organs. It is a genuine veterinary emergency, and without treatment within hours, it is fatal.

Chow Chows, like many deep-chested breeds, are at higher risk than average. The causes aren’t fully understood, but large meals, exercise immediately after eating, and drinking large amounts of water rapidly are all considered contributing factors.

Signs of bloat — know these before you need them

• Visibly distended (swollen) abdomen
• Unproductive retching — trying to vomit but producing nothing
• Excessive drooling and restlessness
• Rapid, laboured breathing
• Collapse or extreme lethargy

If you see any combination of these signs, do not wait. Call your emergency vet immediately and tell them you suspect bloat. Time is everything with this condition.

Hypothyroidism: A Common but Manageable Chow Chow Health Problem

Hypothyroidism — an underactive thyroid gland — is one of the more frequently diagnosed conditions in Chow Chows. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, and when it’s not producing enough hormone, the effects ripple across the whole body.

The symptoms can be frustratingly vague: weight gain despite no change in diet, a dull or thinning coat, lethargy, and a general “not quite right” quality that many owners initially put down to the dog getting older. A simple blood test at your vet can confirm or rule it out, and if diagnosed, it’s managed with a daily oral medication that most dogs tolerate very well.

The Veterinary Times notes that hypothyroidism in dogs is often underdiagnosed because the symptoms are so gradual. If your Chow Chow seems to be gaining weight or losing coat quality without an obvious cause, it’s well worth asking your vet for a thyroid panel.

Chow Chow Skin Problems and Coat Care

That glorious thick double coat is one of the Chow Chow’s most iconic features — and one of their biggest sources of health challenges. The density of the coat traps moisture and warmth close to the skin, creating ideal conditions for bacterial and fungal skin infections, hot spots, and fold dermatitis (inflammation in the skin folds around the face and neck).

Chow Chows can also suffer from skin allergies, which in the UK often manifest as reactions to grass pollen, dust mites, or certain food proteins. Signs include persistent scratching, licking at the paws, and recurring ear infections.

Regular, thorough grooming isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s genuinely preventive healthcare for this breed. Brushing several times a week, keeping facial folds clean and dry, and checking the skin underneath the coat for any redness or sores should be part of every Chow owner’s routine. Our full Chow Chow grooming guide on Walkidoggy walks through exactly how to do this properly.

Chow Chow Dog Health Problems in Summer: Overheating and Heatstroke

Here’s something that catches a lot of new Chow Chow owners off guard: this breed is genuinely vulnerable to heat, even by UK standards. Their combination of brachycephalic (shortened) facial structure and dense double coat means their ability to cool themselves through panting is limited — which is exactly what dogs rely on when they’re warm.

During the increasingly warm UK summers, Chow Chows need careful management. Walk them early morning or evening, never during the hottest part of the day. Always have fresh water available. Keep them in shaded, well-ventilated spaces. And never — under any circumstances — leave them in a parked car, even for a few minutes.

Heatstroke symptoms include heavy panting, glazed eyes, excessive drooling, unsteady walking, and eventual collapse. If you suspect heatstroke, move the dog to a cool area, apply cool (not cold) water to their body, and call your vet immediately. The PDSA’s heatstroke guidance for dogs is an excellent resource to bookmark before summer arrives.

How to Reduce Chow Chow Dog Health Problems: Proactive Care That Works

No guide on Chow Chow health would be complete without talking about what you can actually do. Some conditions are genetic and unavoidable — but a lot of what determines your dog’s quality of life comes down to the decisions you make as an owner.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chow Chow Dog Health Problems

The Bottom Line on Chow Chow Health

Owning a Chow Chow is a privilege — they are one of the most ancient, loyal, and characterful breeds in the world. But they do require owners who take their health seriously, stay alert to the conditions this breed is prone to, and act quickly when something doesn’t seem right.

The conditions covered in this guide aren’t meant to frighten you. They’re meant to prepare you. An owner who knows what bloat looks like, who checks their dog’s eyes monthly, and who grooms thoroughly enough to catch a skin problem early — that owner makes an enormous difference to a Chow Chow’s quality of life.

For more breed-specific care guidance, honest product reviews, and expert walking and grooming advice, explore the Walkidoggy Chow Chow resource hub — built for owners who want to do right by their dogs.