When will you have Chow Chow puppies?

You have saved and planned. You are excited and ready to add a new companion to your family. As the search gets serious, you realize there are very few KUSA Chow Chow breeders. Eagerly you put your name on a list. Then you ask "When will you have Chow Chow puppies?" The breeder is non-comittal, does not give a definite time and you start wondering if this is a good choice. Lets hear that question through the breeder's ears.

From the Breeder's Point of View

Often, when I hear that question, my heart sinks, as most often I do not have an easy answer. The short answer is (IF I have a confirmed pregnant female) "by XX date if the birth is successful". Or I answer "I don't know". And having puppies does not necessarily mean you are getting one from this litter.

Chow Chows seldom read the reproductive books on how things should be. A Chow Chow female can cycle every 5-8 months or some even less often. Some are consistent, others vary with each cycle. So as a breeder I can at best know a roughly 3 month period during which my female should be in season.

Factors Which Influence Your Chances

Once the female is in season, we do a mating if circumstances and the female's health allow. From the time of mating to the time we are sure of viable pregnancy, is approximately 5-6 weeks. Up to then I can still not give a very specific answer.

From mating to birth is 9 weeks (just over 2 months). From birth to joining their new home is 8-12 weeks. (2-3 months). This makes the waiting period 4 months - IF the female is mated when you first enquire.

Chow Chow litters are mostly 3-5 pups. At birth, one or more puppies can be lost due to complications. This leaves 2-3 pups available for the (often long) waiting list. If you are very specific about colour, coat and gender, your wait for a Chow Chow puppy could thus be rather long.

As you can see, knowing when we will next have Chow Chow puppies is not an easy answer. When we will be able to help you specifically, may not be an answer we can give you upfront. As breeders we really wish to help you and appreciate your support of ethical breeders.

KUSA Chow Chow Breeders ask you:
"Please be patient and willing to wait - it will be worth it."