Shadow originally came to us from a breeder and was adopted for a short period of time. Sadly, he was returned to our care, as he needs adopters with experience of the Chow Chow breed and the patience to manage an enthusiastic and sometimes very determined young dog. Despite this, Shadow has shown remarkable resilience and has already made wonderful progress in his foster home, with his fosterers saying he is one of the easiest dogs they have fostered. He is comfortable around his carers and happily seeks out interaction, joining in with everyday routines of the home. He enjoys the company of others but he prefers limited contact; just knowing someone is there is enough reassurance for him.

Shadow is blossoming beautifully into a calm, gentle soul, the kind of dog who can soften a room simply by being in it. He’s thriving alongside his foster family’s resident dog, spending his days wrestling, zooming around the garden, and learning how to navigate life with a canine companion.

He’s around 95% house trained, thoughtfully using a puppy pad on the rare occasion he has a little accident, and he settles peacefully at night, drifting off without a fuss. Shadow is also comfortable being left on his own for short periods, and he travels wonderfully in the car, making every journey a joy.

Despite his calm nature in the home, Shadow is still very much a puppy at heart. He is playful, full of energy, and can be mouthy at times. Like all young Chows, he can be strong-willed and loves to have his own way. He can walk well on a lead, but sometimes decides he is done walking and then refuses to move and at his size, there is not much you can do about this except wait for him to get going again! He is not happy having a harness put on right now; this can make him distressed, so for now, he is just walking on a lead and collar in quiet areas.

His new adopters will need patience, consistency, and positive, reward-based training to continue guiding him, redirecting his energy onto toys, and encouraging his best behavior.

Shadow has had an entropion repair at the time of his neuter, and while it has healed successfully, potential adopters should be aware of the possibility of recurrence. He previously had a short period of limping, resolved with vet care, but this will need monitoring as he grows. Our vets believe he may have miliary dermatitis and is currently being treated for this as well as a ear infection. He has a few sore hot spots on his body, which are being treated and should hopefully clear up soon.

Shadow can live with dog-savvy teens who give him space as he settles and understand that he is a playful boy. Shadow could be happy as an only dog, provided his adopters are around most of the time, or with another gentle, compatible dog who wouldn’t mind his puppy exuberance. If Shadow is to be re-homed with another dog, the other dog will need to be his own size or larger.

Shadow is a stunning, spirited young dog with a heart full of love. He has grown in confidence every day, and anyone fortunate enough to welcome him into their life will gain a loyal, affectionate, and truly special companion.

Can live with other dogs

This dog can be homed with a resident dog.