Do we have a doomsday vault for our Chow genepool?

**CH. CHING FOO IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM – DONATED BY THE BREEDER.** LATE 1800’S

A CALL FOR PRESERVATION BREEDING 4/2/2016
By Carol Beuchat PhD

Do we have a “doomsday vault” for our chow heritage genepool? This is a MUST READ article (click link below) that covers the importance of maintaining the vigor and “type” in animal breeds (from cattle to dogs) by protecting and preserving the old “heritage” breed genetics

http://www.instituteofcaninebiology.org/blog/a-call-for-preservation-breeding

CH. TIEN (BORN 1892) A TAXIDERMY CHOW IN THE TRING MUSEUM DONATED BY BREEDER MISS CASELLA

NOTE FROM SANDRA: Searching out this article above came about from a productive discussion that started on a post I put up on Facebook, concerning how important the written Chow Standard is to maintain correct “breed type” in chows. The topic went on to discuss that we are at risk of losing some important hallmarks of chow type , one being the unique straight rear. Below is my quote from that conversation

“I observe so often in my chow history research the dog breeds that have gone extinct, as recently as the 20th century, with only hints of the original breed left in “modern” breeds. Some disappear because their “job” is no longer required….others because of careless breeding etc………….. Is this what we want for Chows? “

One of the oldest living antique breeds left on the planet who have survived for centuries relatively unaltered. Will we recognize the classic Chow breed type in another 120 years, or will chows just be in the books as an extinct “contributing breed” to the latest dog breed trend?

Will the only glimpse our great grandchildren get to see of the unique Chinese Chow be those in museums and zoos? The preserved chows in the photos were donated by the breeders over 100 years ago, as they were concerned the future generations would never see what original Chow breed type looked like.