There had always been a pet chow in the family as I grew up.   My grandmother acquired her first chow in the 30's and bred a couple of litters, my mother taking a puppy with her to her new home when she married my father in 1938, which was a good companion for her whilst my father was away during the 2nd World War.   In 1946 a black dog was purchased, called Chan, and he was a young adult in residence by the time I was born.   In the fifties our family emigrated, and returned to U.K., and we were chowless for a number of years until in 1969 my folks bought a red dog, and called him Chan also.

Winston and I bought our first chow in 1979, a red dog whom we called Jasper, and we bought a black bitch we called Raki in 1981.   These were much loved pets, who were  never shown.     Here are pictures of Jasper & Raki