Welcome to the Chaos

By Laura | Owner of Hoku Kennels

So... Why "Diary of a Mad Chow Breeder"?

Because "Diary of a Perfectly Sane and Well-Rested Chow Chow Breeder" would have been a complete lie.

Anyone who has ever lived with a Chow Chow knows exactly what I'm talking about.

Life with these dogs is many wonderful things.

Predictable is not one of them.

Between coat blow out season, grooming appointments (which I absolutely do myself, some days even before my first sip of coffee because the white coated chow I just groomed yesterday went outside and decided to roll in the mud this morning), health testing, pedigree research, puppy planning, and trying to explain to a Chow why they definitely cannot roll in that mysterious thing they found in the yard, there is never a dull moment.

This blog is where I'll share the real side of life with Chow Chows.

Not the polished social media version.

Not the perfectly staged photos.

The real version.

The good, the bad, the funny, and the occasional moments where I question my life choices while vacuuming enough fur to construct an entirely new dog.

How This Whole Crazy Journey Started

Like every great story, mine begins with a dog.

A beautiful red smooth-coated Chow Chow named Sasha.

I was nine years old when she came into my life.

At the time, I thought I was simply getting a dog.

What I didn't realize was that I was getting the dog that would shape the rest of my life.

Growing up wasn't always easy.

There were challenges, hardships, disappointments, and times when it felt like I was navigating the world largely on my own.

Through all of that, Sasha was there.

She was my best friend.

My comfort.

My shadow.

My constant.

She never judged me.

She never abandoned me.

She never cared whether I was having a good day or a bad one.

She simply loved me.

Looking back now, I can honestly say that Sasha helped me through some of the hardest periods of my life.

And somewhere along the way, she completely stole my heart.

The Breed That Refused To Let Go

Most people are first attracted to Chow Chows because of how they look.

The lion's mane.

The teddy bear face.

The dignified expression.

I was no different.

But once I got to know the breed, I realized their appearance was only the beginning.

Chow Chows are intelligent.

They are independent.

They are loyal.

They are stubborn.

Sometimes impressively stubborn.

There are moments when I swear a Chow Chow can look directly at you and silently communicate:

"I understand your request completely. I have simply decided not to participate."

And honestly?

That's part of what makes them so special.

They aren't people pleasers.

They aren't trying to win popularity contests.

They know who they are.

And somehow, that only made me love them more.

Why I Started Hoku Kennels

As I got older, my passion for the breed continued to grow.

Eventually I reached a point where I wanted to do more than simply own Chow Chows.

I wanted to help preserve them.

I wanted other families to experience the same joy these dogs had brought into my life.

I wanted to help protect one of the oldest and most remarkable breeds in the world.

I also noticed something concerning.

I was seeing more and more poorly bred dogs, preventable health issues, shortened lifespans, and breeding decisions that seemed to focus on trends rather than the future of the breed itself.

I knew I wanted something different.

At Hoku Kennels, my goal is simple:

To preserve, protect, and improve the Chow Chow while producing healthy, beautiful, well-socialized companions that remain true to the breed I fell in love with all those years ago.

What You'll Find Here

This blog is going to be a mix of everything Chow Chow.

You'll find articles about:

• Health testing
• Grooming
• Nutrition
• Genetics
• Puppy development
• Breed history
• Chow Chow ownership
• Life with Chows in Hawaii
• Breeding adventures
• Preservation breeding

You'll also find the occasional story about puppy chaos, grooming disasters, unexpected lessons, and moments where my dogs remind me that they are running the household and merely allowing me to live in it.

Fair Warning

Before continuing, there are a few things you should know.

If you spend enough time around Chow Chows, you will eventually find fur in places you never thought possible.

You may become completely desensitized to walking around covered in dog hair.

You will develop strong opinions about grooming equipment.

You will learn that "just a quick brush" is usually a lie.

And at some point, you will likely find yourself having a full conversation with a dog who is pretending not to understand English.

Ask me how I know.

Why This Blog Exists

More than anything, I started this blog because I love this breed.

I love its history.

I love its uniqueness.

I love its personality.

I love helping educate future owners and sharing what I have learned throughout my life with these incredible dogs.

If even one family learns something helpful, falls in love with the breed, or better understands responsible breeding because of these articles, then this blog will have served its purpose.

Welcome To The Journey

Whether you're a lifelong Chow Chow enthusiast, researching the breed for the first time, or one of our future puppy families, I'm glad you're here.

Life with Chow Chows is never boring.

Trust me.

And I look forward to sharing a little bit of that adventure with you.

Welcome to Diary of a Mad Chow Breeder.

The chaos has officially begun.

❤️🐾

Laura
Owner & Preservation Breeder
Hoku Kennels

"Fueled by coffee, covered in Chow Chow glitter (fur), and hopelessly devoted to Chow Chows."