CELEBRITY – 1920’s Gloria Swanson – Silent Film star owned 2 chows

It is always such a happy surprise when one of our ChowTales readers pops in to leave me a message about one of their chow history finds. So many times I have a part of the puzzle that is waiting for more information and this is one of those classic examples

Chowist, Marianne Lähde from Australia had been doing some research on the ChowTales website looking for more information about American actress GLORIA SWANSON, who she had discovered was listed in the AKC stud book as having 2 chows. She contacted me to see if I had more information on Gloria or a photo. Yes, I certainly did ….I had ONE photo of the only chow I was aware she had, which was “Ping” pictured above. With the new info Marianne provided below I was able to finally do an archive entry about the fabulous Gloria Swanson. Thank you so very much Marianne…… “It takes a village”

Ping III (D) (AKC 479450) April 6, 1925 Sire Old Orchard Heathen Chinaman (AKC 321102) Dam Beverly Mah Jong (AKC 381589). Ping’s colour Dark Red

The second dog Marianne discovered was called “Pong”, also purchased in the 1920s from the same breeder , Frederick S. Krupp of X-Quiz-It Kennels in Burbank California

Pong IV (D) (AKC 479451) April 23 1925, Dark red, Sire Wu Wong Tong Boy (AKC 340471) Dam X-Quiz-It Mee Quong (AKC 445706).

SOURCE Wikipedia Gloria May Josephine Swanson (/ˈswɑːnsən/; March 27, 1899 – April 4, 1983) was an American actress and producer best known for her role as Norma Desmond, a reclusive silent film star, in the critically acclaimed 1950 film Sunset Boulevard.

Swanson was also a star in the silent film era as both an actress and a fashion icon, especially under the direction of Cecil B. DeMille. She starred in dozens of silent films and was nominated for the first Academy Award in the Best Actress category.

Above is a news snippet from March 1927 describing Ping at a party carrying youngsters on his back. A patient and strong chow.