Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chow Chow Versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Introduction
- Chow Chow versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Overview
- Chow Chow versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever
- The Similarities Between the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chow Chow versus Curly-Coated Retriever
- Temperament of the Chow Chow Versus the Curly-Coated Retriever
- The Intelligence of the Chow Chow versus the Intelligence of the Curly-Coated Retriever
- The Popularity of Chow Chow versus Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever
- Health Problems of Chow Chow versus Health Problems of Curly-Coated Retriever
- How Kid-friendly are Chow Chows and Curly-Coated Retrievers?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chow Chow or the Curly-Coated Retriever?
- Do Chow Chows shed more than Curly-Coated Retrievers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chow Chow or the Curly-Coated Retriever?
- Do Chow Chows Bark and Howl? What about Curly-Coated Retrievers?
- Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Chow Chows good family dogs? What about Curly-Coated Retrievers?
- Is the Chow Chow Easier to Train than the Curly-Coated Retriever?
- Does the Chow Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Curly-Coated Retriever?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chow Chow vs. Curly-Coated Retriever
- Which one drools more, the Chow Chow or the Curly-Coated Retriever
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chow Chow versus Curly-Coated Retriever
- Can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chow Chow
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Chow Chow versus Curly-Coated Retriever. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chow Chow Versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Chow Chow and for the Curly-Coated Retriever. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Chow Chow or the Curly-Coated Retriever
Chow Chow versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Overview
A very important difference between the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chow Chow is a large-sized dog while the Curly-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Chow Chow belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
On the other hand, the Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Chow Chow versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chow Chow to the Curly-Coated Retriever based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
| Factor | Chow Chow | Curly-Coated Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 9 to 12 years |
| Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 70 pounds | 65 to 100 pounds |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 10.5 years |
| Average Price | $1750 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 71.7 percent | 91.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 74 | 162 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 76 | 41 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chow Chow in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Curly-Coated Retriever. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a Chow Chow is 69 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Curly-Coated Retriever is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Curly-Coated Retriever is a better pet than the Chow Chow. So, you should get the Curly-Coated Retriever!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever
Below is a list of where the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever
The Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chow Chow versus Curly-Coated Retriever
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever.
Chow Chows weigh 40 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chow Chows are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Curly-Coated Retrievers weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Curly-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Temperament of the Chow Chow Versus the Curly-Coated Retriever
The Curly-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Chow Chow.
This is because the temperament score for the Curly-Coated Retriever is 91.7 percent while the temperament score for the Chow Chow is 71.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 71.7 percent, the Chow Chow has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Curly-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever by measuring the temperaments of 99 Chow Chows and 181 Curly-Coated Retrievers.
The Intelligence of the Chow Chow versus the Intelligence of the Curly-Coated Retriever
| Chow Chow | Curly-Coated Retriever | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 76 out of 130 dog breeds | 41 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Chow Chow has an obedience intelligence rank of 76 out of 130 dog breeds. The Chow Chow belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Chow Chows tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Curly-Coated Retriever has an obedience intelligence rank of 41 out of 130 dog breeds. The Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Curly-Coated Retrievers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Curly-Coated Retriever is more intelligent than the Chow Chow.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Chow Chow versus Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chow Chow is more popular with dog owners than the Curly-Coated Retriever. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Chow Chow is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Curly-Coated Retriever is 162 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chow Chow
Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever
| Year | Chow Chow Popularity Rank | Curly-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 70 | 163 |
| 2014 | 70 | 163 |
| 2015 | 73 | 151 |
| 2016 | 74 | 164 |
| 2017 | 76 | 171 |
| 2018 | 75 | 162 |
| 2019 | 77 | 163 |
| 2020 | 84 | 159 |
Health Problems of Chow Chow versus Health Problems of Curly-Coated Retriever
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Curly-Coated Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chow Chow.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Curly-Coated Retriever than for the Chow Chow.
6 health tests are recommended for Chow Chow while 7 tests are recommended for the Curly-Coated Retriever.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chow Chows and in Curly-Coated Retrievers.
Chow Chow Health Problems
Chow Chows are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chow Chow puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Chow Chow puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chow Chow breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chow Chows for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chow Chows here.
Curly-Coated Retriever Health Problems
Curly-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Curly-Coated Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Curly-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Curly-Coated Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Curly-Coated Retrievers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Curly-Coated Retrievers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Chow Chows and Curly-Coated Retrievers
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chow Chow Breed is Elbow problems.
This is because the Chow Chow ranks 1 out of 144 dog breeds for Elbow problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1393 Chow Chows, 693 of them had Elbow problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chow Chows, and how common these diseases are in Chow Chows relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Curly-Coated Retriever Breed is Exercise Induced Collapse problems.
This is because the Curly-Coated Retriever ranks 1 out of 6 dog breeds for Exercise Induced Collapse problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 145 Curly-Coated Retrievers, 12 of them had Exercise Induced Collapse problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Curly-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Curly-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Chow Chow and in Curly-Coated Retriever and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever:
| Disease | Chow Chow Rank | Curly-Coated Retriever Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Elbow problems | 1 out of 144 dog breeds | 136 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 3 out of 182 dog breeds | 84 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 15 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 36 out of 198 dog breeds | 73 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 88 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Exercise Induced Collapse problems | Not Common | 1 out of 6 dog breeds |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 10 out of 32 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 24 out of 159 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
How Kid-friendly are Chow Chows and Curly-Coated Retrievers?
Chow Chows do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chow Chow or the Curly-Coated Retriever?
Chow Chows do not get along well with other dogs.
Curly-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Do Chow Chows shed more than Curly-Coated Retrievers?
Chow Chows do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Curly-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chow Chow or the Curly-Coated Retriever?
Chow Chows require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Curly-Coated Retrievers are moderately easy to groom.
Do Chow Chows Bark and Howl? What about Curly-Coated Retrievers?
Chow Chows are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Curly-Coated Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chow Chow or the Curly-Coated Retriever?
Chow Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Curly-Coated Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.
Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chow Chows cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.
Are Chow Chows good family dogs? What about Curly-Coated Retrievers?
Chow Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.
Curly-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chow Chow Easier to Train than the Curly-Coated Retriever?
Chow Chows are not easy to train.
Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.
Does the Chow Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Curly-Coated Retriever?
Chow Chows have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Wanderlust Potential: Chow Chow vs. Curly-Coated Retriever
Chow Chows do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Is the Chow Chow Better for Apartment Owners than the Curly-Coated Retriever?
Chow Chows adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which one drools more, the Chow Chow or the Curly-Coated Retriever
Chow Chows drool moderately.
Curly-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Chow Chow versus Curly-Coated Retriever
Chow Chows can be left alone for some time without problems.
Curly-Coated Retrievers can be left alone only for a short time.
Can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chow Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.
Curly-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chow Chow
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chow Chow that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Chow Chow:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Curly-Coated Retriever:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Chow Chow and how the Curly-Coated Retriever compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chow Chow and of the Curly-Coated Retriever to other breeds:
Chow Chow Versus Other Dog Breeds
Chow Chow versus Japanese Chin Chow Chow versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Chow Chow versus Portuguese Pointer Chow Chow versus Papillon Chow Chow versus German Wirehaired Pointer Chow Chow versus Borzoi Chow Chow versus Fila Brasileiro Chow Chow versus Akita Chow Chow Chow versus Welsh Terrier Chow Chow versus Briard
Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Curly-Coated Retriever versus Patterdale Terrier Curly-Coated Retriever versus Pyredoodle Curly-Coated Retriever versus Bullmastiff Curly-Coated Retriever versus Westiepoo Curly-Coated Retriever versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Curly-Coated Retriever versus Bracco Italiano Curly-Coated Retriever versus Dogo Argentino Curly-Coated Retriever versus Cairn Terrier Curly-Coated Retriever versus Coton de Tulear Curly-Coated Retriever versus Shiba Inu
Conclusion: Chow Chow versus Curly-Coated Retriever. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Chow Chow and the Curly-Coated Retriever better suits you and your family.