[poohlp]

The stray Chow I caught recently has long thick fur and I've NEVER had to deal with this before. (We had an Old Eng. when I was a kid but kept her shaved.)

Anyway, I want to take him to get a proper grooming and trim, (he's already been de-matted) but am not sure what to ask for or how much to expect to pay. I'm sure it varies a lot, but can anyone on here give me a ballpark for a medium sized, 43 lb dog with long fur? He doesn't have the rough double coat, just a sort of thick smooth coat that kind of feels like cotton. Also, what do I say I want as far as trim and that sort of thing?

Thanks!

[acanoffleas]

I think price-wise, you'll find a varying degree from place to place. It depends on what exactly you want done, as well. Think about how much you're willing to put into maintaining the dog - if you're able to brush him fairly regularly and won't have a problem keeping up with the Chow style of hair (lots of brushing to keep mats astray and also help with keeping undercoat under control), then I'd say just have a good bath, brush, and perhaps a little cleanup of the feet, sanitary area, and feathering (i.e. legs, hocks, etc.). However, if you find it would be more convenient for you (and more comfortable for the dog, in the long run) to clip him shorter, then go for it. Bear in mind that hair that is clipped isn't guaranteed to grow back the same way (think texture-wise). You could do any varying length, depending on what would be most manageable for you - take off a lot (say, with a 5 or 7 blade) or perhaps just a skimming (either a snap comb or 5/8 or 3 3/4 blade). You could even try a lion cut, if you're feeling bold Lion cuts look great on some Chows, but they literally look like lions. So, depending on what you end up having done, I'd say be prepared for anywhere between $50-$70. A good groomer should be willing to recommend what they think would be best for both you and the dog.

[Shanette Peters]

Originally Posted by poohlp

The stray Chow I caught recently has long thick fur and I've NEVER had to deal with this before. (We had an Old Eng. when I was a kid but kept her shaved.)

Anyway, I want to take him to get a proper grooming and trim, (he's already been de-matted) but am not sure what to ask for or how much to expect to pay. I'm sure it varies a lot, but can anyone on here give me a ballpark for a medium sized, 43 lb dog with long fur? He doesn't have the rough double coat, just a sort of thick smooth coat that kind of feels like cotton. Also, what do I say I want as far as trim and that sort of thing?

Thanks!

I'd suggest to try your best to keep up on regular brushing, even 20min/day or a longer time 2-3 times a day. Unlike the Old Eng, a chow is not the breed i'd have shaved/clipped short unless there are mats that are too tight and close to the skin, otherwise you may find your dog to be one of many whos hair doesn't grow back properly. When you are brushing the chow yourself make sure you are getting thru the coat to the skin, not just the top layer of hair. I would use a 'poodle comb' which is very long toothed to check the coat while i am brushing. I'd say the 50-70 $range is a good average. Have fun and enjoy!

[justagirl21]

With Chow Chows the hair can be very thick and dense on the chest/neck area aswell as around the pants. I have one lady who brings in her Chow in quite reguarly for me to groom and I use an undercoat rake on the pants (also sometimes on the chest too) and a long tooth greyhound comb (poodle comb) and slicker to all line brush over all parts of the body. Once brushed feel over the dog for any inconsistencies in density levels and if you feel a thick patch take a wide toothed comb over the area. It should run smoothly over the dog and not take any force to get it through, if it does go back over the area with the greyhound comb and slicker until your wide tooth comb gets though with ease. If you have avalibility to one, a high velocity dryer BEFORE a bath will blow out all the loose coat, tangles and fluff so it won't take you hours to dry him also! Remember: areas often fortotten are the ears, underbelly and tail. Chow Chows require alot of brushing attention so good luck, and if it gets too much, book him in to see your groomer

[Dieselsmama]

I'd be very very hesitant ot clip down a chow. Were someone to come into me for grooming and request this, I'd more than likely refuse. Lots of times dogs like this that do get shaved never grow back right and look awful. Not to mention clipping through an undercoat like that blows clipper blades left and right. I'd make sure as justagirl said you've line brushed with a slicker and greyhound comb all over him then if you want to trim up the pants a bit to make it easier to keep him clean that's fine. Around here to clip him down would be no less than $100, probably for a bath and trim up of pants and feet would run you more like $70, if he's been well combed through to the skin. I had a pyr/siberian in the other day that was an immense amount of work because they thought they'd de-matted him but his entire undercoat was a solid mat giving him that "padded" feeling everywhere. I spent 4 hours with him on the table raking and combing out all that undercoat and it cost the owners $175, just a little under the per hr. charge of $45

[kowwgurl]

Never shave a double coated breed you risk the hair not comming back at all!! the under coat will come back but the guard hair might not,
Keep him brushed you can call around to your groomers and ask how much but alot of groomers won't touch a chow. Whe had one groomer in the next city get 147 stitches from a chow and I had a chow when i was younger they a quite un predictable and if they bite they mean it..I have been a groomer for 10 yrs and we won't do chows alot of groomers won't..

[FilleBelle]

Hm...I had a Chow/Aussie mix and never ran into a groomer who wouldn't groom him.

This is slightly OT, but is there a Hansel update somewhere that I can't find? Are you keeping him, getting close to finding him a home, how's Percy doing, etc?