By Laura | Hoku Kennels

Among the five standard colors of the purebred Chow Chow, none is wrapped in as much mystique, folklore, and historical romance as blue. 

Often described as the color of storm clouds or wild doves, the blue Chow Chow is frequently linked to remote Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia and Tibet, where monks reportedly bred them in secret to guard sacred temples (The Esteemed Blue Chow Chow.)

Yet as with any ancient breed, popular internet lore often blurs the line between documented history and modern myth. Here is a closer look at the real history, genetics, and breed standards behind the blue Chow Chow—separating verifiable fact from romantic fiction.

1. Did Buddhist Monks Breed Blue Chow Chows to Guard Temples?

The Verdict: Fact—with important historical context.

The association between Chow Chows and Buddhist monasteries in Northern China, Inner Mongolia, and Tibet is one of the best-documented chapters in the breed's history (The Dog Breeds Beloved by Monks Chow Chow History.)

• Temple Guardians & Working Dogs: Following the spread of Buddhism into China and Tibet, isolated monasteries kept large packs of Chow-type dogs not merely as pets, but as working guardians The Dog Breeds Beloved by Monks. Because remote monasteries housed valuable religious artifacts, scrolls, and livestock—and faced threats from both human bandits and wolves—monks valued the Chow Chow's natural aloofness toward strangers, territorial vigilance, and weatherproof double coat (The Dog Breeds Beloved by Monks Chow Chow History.)
• Selective Breeding for Blue Coats: Unlike lay populations in China where red and black dogs were common, certain monasteries in Manchuria, Inner Mongolia, and Tibet selectively bred blue-coated Chow Chows over generations Chow Chow - Full History The Esteemed Blue Chow Chow - National Purebred Dog Day. Because these monasteries were strictly closed to outsiders, blue Chow Chows were rarely seen by Western travelers, earning them a reputation as sacred or "hidden" temple dogs (The Esteemed Blue Chow Chow - National Purebred Dog Day.)

2. The Eyewitness Account: Dr. K. H. Abshagen's Monastery Discovery

One of the most famous firsthand historical records of monastery blue Chow Chows comes from Dr. K. H. Abshagen, a Dutch observer traveling in North China and Inner Mongolia during the Second Sino-Japanese War (between 1937 and 1945) The Esteemed Blue Chow Chow Legendary Blue Chows of a Mongolia monastery visited by Dr. K. H. Abshagen - ChowTales.Granted rare entry into a 15th-century Buddhist monastery in Inner Mongolia (widely believed to be near Baotou / Wudangzhao), Abshagen documented a pack of roughly 50 purebred blue Chow Chows The Esteemed Blue Chow Chow Legendary Blue Chows of a Mongolia monastery visited by Dr. K. H. Abshagen - ChowTales. His detailed observations provide a remarkable snapshot of what original temple-bred blue Chows actually looked like:

• Coloring: Abshagen compared their coats to the soft slate-gray plumage of wild doves The Esteemed Blue Chow Chow Legendary Blue Chows of a Mongolia monastery visited by Dr. K. H. Abshagen - ChowTales.
• Structure & Type: Unlike modern, heavy-wrinkled show Chows, the monastery dogs were lighter, athletic working animals—standing roughly 45 to 50 cm (17.5 to 19.5 inches) at the shoulder and weighing 20 to 25 kg (44 to 55 lbs)—with thick, unwrinkled skin, harsh dense coats, strong straight bone, black noses, and deep blue-black tongues Legendary Blue Chows of a Mongolia monastery visited by Dr. K. H. Abshagen - ChowTales.
• Preserving Genetic Diversity: To prevent excessive inbreeding within their isolated compound, the monks periodically exchanged breeding stock with distant Tibetan monasteries—an early form of planned genetic outcrossing within a closed, purebred line The Esteemed Blue Chow Chow Legendary Blue Chows of a Mongolia monastery visited by Dr. K. H. Abshagen - ChowTales.
• Working Roles: Beyond guarding the temple gates, these blue Chows rounded up monastery cattle and accompanied monks on hunting expeditions Legendary Blue Chows of a Mongolia monastery visited by Dr. K. H. Abshagen - ChowTales.

3. Separating Fact from Fiction: Common Myths About Blue Chow Chows

Myth 1: "Blue Chows are a separate sub-breed or 'rarer' bloodline."

• Fact: Blue is simply one of the five standard coat colors of the purebred Chow Chow (alongside red, black, cinnamon, and cream) The Esteemed Blue Chow Chow - National Purebred Dog Day. A blue Chow Chow has the exact same breed standard, temperament expectations, and genetic foundation as a red or black Chow. While blue appears less frequently than red or black because it requires two copies of a recessive gene, it is a recognized, traditional color—never an "exotic" or premium-priced variant among ethical preservation breeders.

Myth 2: "Blue Chows have blue eyes and blue noses."

• Fact: Adult blue Chow Chows must have dark brown eyes and a solid blue-black tongue, just like every other standard Chow Chow Legendary Blue Chows of a Mongolia monastery visited by Dr. K. H. Abshagen - ChowTales. However, blue is the only standard Chow color where a slate-gray or blue-black nose is accepted alongside jet black under AKC and CCCI standards The Esteemed Blue Chow Chow. Light yellow, amber, or blue eyes in an adult Chow indicate either improper pigment or non-standard color dilution (such as lilac/b/b d/d) Dog Coat Colour Genetics.

Myth 3: "Blue Chow Chows were the direct models for Chinese stone guardian lions (Foo Dogs)."

• Fact: The iconic stone guardian lions (Shishi) outside Buddhist temples and imperial palaces originated with the introduction of Buddhism and lion symbolism from India and Central Asia during the Han and Tang dynasties. Because lions were not native to China, Chinese artisans blended lion imagery with familiar local heavy-maned guardian dogs—most notably the Chow Chow and Tibetan Mastiff. The Chow Chow's lion-like ruff, scowling expression, and stilted gait strongly influenced the artistic depiction of temple guardians, even though the statues represent mythic lions rather than a single coat color The ancient origins of the Chow Chow - BMC blog network.

Myth 4: "Monks bred blue Chows using mystical herbs or silver."

• Fact: Folklore occasionally claims monks created blue coats through special diets or spiritual rituals. In reality, the monks were practicing skilled selective breeding long before Mendelian genetics was discovered—pairing slate-coated dogs together over generations to fix a naturally occurring recessive trait Chow Chow - Full History Legendary Blue Chows of a Mongolia monastery visited by Dr. K. H. Abshagen - ChowTales.

4. The Genetics Behind the Blue CoatGenetically, a blue Chow Chow is a genetically black dog whose pigment has been diluted D-Locus (Dilute Coat Color) - Animal Genetics Avian Dog Coat Colour Genetics:

• The D-Locus (MLPH Gene): Coat dilution is controlled by the melanophilin (MLPH) gene Dilute (D Locus/Blue) | Veterinary Genetics Laboratory Alopecia or Follicular Dysplasia, D Locus (Dilution) | Laboratoire de génétique vétérinaire. To produce a blue coat, a puppy must inherit two copies of the recessive dilute allele (d/d)—one from its sire and one from its dam—on top of a genetically black base (Kᴮ/- or B/B) Dilute (D Locus/Blue) | Veterinary Genetics Laboratory D-Locus (Dilute Coat Color) - Animal Genetics Avian Dog Coat Colour Genetics.
• Breed-Specific Mutation (d² Variant): Canine geneticists have identified multiple variants of the MLPHdilution gene Dilute (D Locus/Blue) | Veterinary Genetics Laboratory D-locus d1 (dilution) - LABOKLIN Europe. While d¹ is common across many breeds, Chow Chows (alongside Thai Ridgebacks and Sloughis) carry a distinct, ancient breed-specific mutation known as d², proving that blue dilution is an authentic, longstanding mutation within the purebred Chow Chow gene pool rather than an introduced foreign trait D-locus d1 (dilution) - LABOKLIN Europe.
• Coat & Skin Care: Because d/d dilution clumps melanin granules inside the hair shaft, blue (and cinnamon) dogs can occasionally be susceptible to Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA)—a condition causing dry skin or patchy coat thinning Alopecia or Follicular Dysplasia, D Locus (Dilution) | Laboratoire de génétique vétérinaire Dog Coat Colour Genetics. Responsible breeders manage this by selecting for dense, harsh coat texture and avoiding pairings that compromise coat quality.

5. Blue Chows in Western Show HistoryWhen Chow Chows first arrived in England and North America in the late 19th century, red and black dogs dominated early show rings 1865-1930 HISTORY TIMELINE- Earliest Chows and Breeders of England and America - ChowTales. Blue Chows remained scarce in the West until the early 1920s, when a landmark victory changed their status forever:

• At the 1922 Chow Chow Club of America National Specialty, a 2.5-year-old blue male named Blue Boy (owned by Mrs. Evans and encouraged into the ring by renowned judge Dr. Henry Jarrett) won top national honors on his very first show outing—becoming the first blue Chow Chow in history to win a US National Specialty 1922 CHOW NATIONAL WINNER- BLUE BOY- Very first blue chow to win this honor - ChowTales.
• Blue Boy's heavy bone, substance, and rich slate-blue coat proved that blue Chows could match the finest reds and blacks in conformation, cementing their place in Western preservation breeding programs 1922 CHOW NATIONAL WINNER- BLUE BOY- Very first blue chow to win this honor - ChowTales.

ConclusionThe story of the blue Chow Chow does not need exaggeration to be extraordinary. Centuries before modern kennel clubs existed, Buddhist monks in the windswept monasteries of Inner Mongolia and Tibet preserved a slate-colored working guardian prized for its loyalty, intelligence, and dignity The Esteemed Blue Chow ChowChow Chow - Full History Legendary Blue Chows of a Mongolia monastery visited by Dr. K. H. Abshagen - ChowTales. Today, authentic blue Chow Chows—carrying the breed's native d² dilution gene, dark brown eyes, solid blue-black tongues, and full OFA/CHIC health clearances—remain a living link to those ancient temple guardians Legendary Blue Chows of a Mongolia monastery visited by Dr. K. H. Abshagen.

Why Some Breeders Cross for Color

As certain colors have become increasingly popular across many breeds, some breeders have chosen to introduce outside breeds into bloodlines to produce rare or unusual colors.

This practice has become more common in recent years throughout the dog world.

While these puppies may be marketed using terms such as:

• Exotic
• Rare
• Exclusive
• Designer

the reality is that introducing other breeds into an established breed alters the genetic foundation that took centuries to develop.

For me, preserving the Chow Chow means preserving the Chow Chow.

That includes protecting the characteristics that make the breed unique.

Why Hoku Kennels Focuses on Blue and Cream Chow Chows

People often ask why I focus so heavily on blue and cream Chow Chows.

The answer is simple.

I love them.

Blue and cream are two of the most beautiful colors found within the breed, and they have captivated me for years.

They offer families the softer appearance many people are searching for while remaining completely true to the breed itself.

Most importantly, I do not believe families should have to choose between:

• Beauty
• Breed integrity
• Health

My goal is to produce all three.

By focusing on blue and cream Chow Chows that come from fully health-tested parents, I can provide families with the colors they love while preserving the ancient lineage that attracted us all to this breed in the first place.

Color Should Never Come Before Health

Although I am passionate about blue and cream Chow Chows, color is never the primary factor in my breeding decisions.

Health always comes first.

Every breeding dog at Hoku Kennels undergoes extensive health testing, including:

• OFA Hips
• OFA Elbows
• OFA Cardiac Evaluations
• OFA Thyroid Testing
• OFA Eye Certification
• OFA Patellar Evaluation
• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) Screening
• Comprehensive Embark DNA Testing

Beautiful color means very little if the dog is not healthy.

A truly responsible breeding program must balance:

• Health
• Structure
• Temperament
• Breed preservation
• Genetic diversity

before considering cosmetic traits.

Preserving the Past While Building the Future

The Chow Chow has survived for thousands of years because generations of dedicated individuals chose preservation over trends.

At Hoku Kennels, that same philosophy guides every breeding decision.

Yes, I love blue Chow Chows.

Yes, I love cream Chow Chows.

But more importantly, I love the Chow Chow itself.

My mission is to help preserve one of the world's oldest and most remarkable dog breeds while producing healthy, beautiful companions that families can cherish for years to come.

Because when we preserve the breed, we honor the generations that came before us and protect the generations yet to come.

❤️🐾

Laura
Owner, Hoku Kennels
Diary of a Mad Chow Breeder

References

1. Abshagen, K. H. (Mid-20th Century Historical Account). Observations of Blue Chow Chows in an Inner Mongolian Buddhist Monastery (1937–1945). Archived via ChowTales Historical Archives. https://chowtales.com/legendary-blue-chows-of-mongolia-monastery-visited-by-dr-k-h-abshagen/
2. American Kennel Club (AKC). The Dog Breeds Beloved by Monks: History of the Chow Chow in Tibetan and Chinese Monasteries. AKC Expert Advice. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/dog-breeds-beloved-monks/
3. Bauer, A., Kehl, A., Jagannathan, V., & Leeb, T. (2018). A novel MLPH variant (d²) in dogs with coat colour dilution (documented in Chow Chows, Thai Ridgebacks, and Sloughis). Animal Genetics, 49(1), 94–97. nih.gov
4. Chow Chow Club, Inc. (CCCI). Official Breed Standard & Accepted Coat Colors (Black, Blue, Cinnamon, Cream, Red). chowclub.org
5. ChowTales Archives. 1922 Chow National Winner: Blue Boy — First Blue Chow Chow to Win National Honors. https://chowtales.com/1922-chow-national-winner-blue-boy-a-first-for-a-blue-chow/
6. National Purebred Dog Day. The Esteemed Blue Chow Chow: Monastery History and Dr. Abshagen's Account. https://nationalpurebreddogday.com/the-esteemed-blue-chow-chow/
7. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL). Dilute (D Locus / MLPH) Canine Coat Color Genetics (d¹, d², d³ Variants). University of California, Davis. https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/dilute-dog