CHAPTER X 

 THE CHOW CHOW 



THE Chow Chow is a dog of great versatility. He is a born 

 sportsman and loves an open-air life a warrior, always ready 

 to accept battle, but seldom provoking it. He has a way of his 

 own with tramps, and seldom fails to induce them to continue 

 their travels. Yet withal he is tender-hearted, a friend of 

 children, an ideal companion, and often has a clever gift for 

 parlour tricks. In China, his fatherland, he is esteemed for 

 another quality his excellence as a substitute for roast 

 mutton. 



Though in his own country he is regarded as plebeian, just a 

 common cur, he is by no means a mongrel. That he is of 

 ancient lineage is proved by the fact that he always breeds true 

 to type. He yields to the Pekinese Spaniel the claim to be 

 the Royal dog of China, yet his blood must be of the bluest. 

 If you doubt it, look at his tongue. 



Outwardly, the Chow worthily embodies the kind, faithful 

 heart and the brave spirit within. His compact body (weigh- 

 ing 40 Ibs. or more), with the beautiful fur coat and ruff, the 

 plume tail turned over on his back and almost meeting his 

 neck-ruff, the strong, straight legs and neat, catlike feet, gives 

 an impression of symmetry, power, and alertness. His hand- 

 some face wears a " scowl." This is the technical term for the 

 " no nonsense " look which deters strangers from undue 

 familiarity, though to friends his expression is kindness itself. 



Though the Chow has many perfections, the perfect Chow 

 has not yet arrived. He nearly came with Ch. Chow VIII. 

 long since dead, alas ! and with Ch. Fu Chow, the best Chow 



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