Chow Chow puppies and dogs in Newark, California

Hello, My name is Coco,I’m a quirky girl with a big personality and a very specific list of things I love—deli meat, my favorite people, and standing proudly in the pool like the queen of my own little spa! I’m a bit of an aloof lady at first, but once I decide you’re one of my people, get ready for some serious cuddles because I LOVE snuggling up with my favorites. I may greet you with a few low little “boofs,” but don’t let those fool you—that’s just my special way of speaking! I’m loyal, funny, affectionate, and full of personality, and I can’t wait to meet the people who appreciate a girl with a little extra fluff and a whole lot of love.

* To be considered for a meet/adoption, please read the full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an online application at www.dpsrescue.org.* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, September 5th from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.   Adoption Fee: $650 Mushu has apparently decided that the best way to approach life is slowly, thoughtfully, and with excellent manners. And honestly, after everything this handsome boy has experienced, we think that is a pretty good plan. Mushu is a 3–4 year old, 54-pound male Chow who is quietly discovering that being someone's dog can be a pretty wonderful thing. He isn't the type to burst through the front door, announce his arrival and immediately demand the entire couch. Mushu prefers a more sophisticated approach: observe first, investigate second, trust third... and then possibly request belly rubs. And he has already proven that the belly-rub portion of the program is coming along beautifully. When Mushu first arrived at his foster home, he was understandably wary. On his first day, he wasn't interested in being petted and preferred to keep some distance from the humans who were trying to get to know him. He needed time to figure out who these people were and whether they could be trusted. Then came Day Two. Mushu rolled onto his back for his foster family's son and asked for belly rubs. EXCUSE ME, SIR. That is quite a plot twist for a dog who had been avoiding human interaction approximately 24 hours earlier. It is one of the things we love most about Mushu. He doesn't need to be rushed. Give him a little time, a little space and a little patience, and he starts making his own decisions about getting closer. Mushu isn't a big cuddler or snuggler, but he absolutely enjoys companionship. In fact, once he feels comfortable, he likes being near his people enough to follow his foster mom from room to room. If she moves, Mushu may quietly appear in the next room like a fluffy little security detail. At the same time, he has an independent streak. He is perfectly happy spending time in the backyard, relaxing, sniffing around and enjoying some peaceful alone time. Basically, Mushu has mastered the ideal relationship: 'I want to be near you... but please don't make me sit on you.' At 54 pounds, Mushu is a substantial, handsome boy, but his personality is much quieter and gentler than his size might suggest. During the day, he likes hanging out near the family but is equally content to wander outside and relax. He is definitely more lounger than athlete right now. His energy level is still unfolding as his confidence grows, but so far he seems to appreciate a calm, peaceful lifestyle. He sleeps beautifully through the night in his playpen, going to bed around 9 p.m. and sleeping until morning. He wakes around 7 a.m., heads outside for his morning potty break and starts another day of being Mushu. He has also been doing wonderfully on his short walks. Mushu walks at a relaxed pace without pulling and likes to stop frequently to sniff and investigate his surroundings. And perhaps one of his nicest qualities: other dogs simply don't seem to bother him. Even when another dog barks at him, Mushu doesn't react. No barking match. No dramatic exchange of opinions. Just Mushu quietly thinking, 'I'm going to continue sniffing this bush now.' He has also been around children ranging from about 5 to 13 years old. His foster family wisely gave the kids instructions to let Mushu approach them when he was ready rather than overwhelming him. And it worked. Once he had some time to observe, Mushu became curious and gradually began approaching the children and allowing them to pet him. That seems to be Mushu's secret: let him come to you. He is not currently showing any chewing or digging behavior and has been remarkably quiet. In fact, his foster family didn't even hear him bark until his fourth day, when the garbage trucks apparently committed the unforgivable crime of existing outside. Mushu had something to say about that. One bark. Then back to business. He has had no accidents in the house so far, and he does well in a crate while riding in the car. He isn't able to use his foster family's doggy door because of his size, so regular outdoor potty breaks are part of his routine. Mushu also isn't eating much yet. Right now, he is typically eating about one meal a day, so his foster family leaves food available for him. As he becomes more comfortable and settles into his new life, we're hopeful his appetite will continue to improve. Mushu came to us as part of a group of Chows from a breeder who loved her dogs deeply and was known for their sound temperaments. Now it is Mushu's turn to experience the other side of that love story: being someone's cherished companion. His full personality is still emerging, and we think that is part of what makes him so special. Every day, he gives his foster family another little glimpse of who he is becoming. First it was accepting pets. Then it was following his foster mom around. Then greeting her with a wagging tail when she returned. Then approaching the kids. And, of course, the legendary belly-rub request. Mushu isn't asking for much. He needs someone who understands that trust isn't something you can demand. It is something you earn. Give him time, let him observe, respect his space and allow him to make the first move, and Mushu will reward you with something incredibly special: his trust. We think there is a wonderful dog underneath that beautiful Chow coat who is just waiting to feel completely safe. And once Mushu decides you're his person? Well... You may have just been promoted to Official Belly-Rub Technician. The position comes with excellent benefits. August 31, 2026, 3:14 pm

* To be considered for a meet/adoption, please read the full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an online application at www.dpsrescue.org.* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, September 5th from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.   Adoption Fee: $650 Lug Nut may have a tough-sounding name, but spend five minutes with him and you’ll understand why his foster family nicknamed him Gentle Bear. This 46 pound, 6 year old Chow Chow is one of those dogs who quietly wins you over until you can’t imagine the house without him. Rescued from a shelter, Lug Nut has proven from the very beginning that he is an absolutely wonderful Chow. He is sweet, loving, incredibly mellow, and just an all-around good dog. He isn’t looking for constant entertainment or attention. He is perfectly happy to hang out near his people, wander outside, find a comfortable spot on the floor or a rug, and take a nice long nap. He has free run of the house and is completely trustworthy. He is 100% housetrained, doesn’t get into things, doesn’t chew, doesn’t dig, and is an exceptionally quiet dog. Lug Nut does have one special consideration: he is deaf. That means getting his attention can sometimes take a little creativity, but he has adapted beautifully. He is smart and observant, and he quickly learned to sit before meals. His foster family has also discovered that he is very tuned in to what is happening around him, especially when something interesting is going on in the kitchen. And by “interesting,” we mean whatever his people are cooking. His own dinner? Questionable. Human food smells coming from the kitchen? Now THAT deserves his attention. Like many dogs, he may be stressed the first few days in a new environment. Usually he shows his stress by panting. Pretty typical dog trait. After a few days, though, he settlesinto his routine and shows his true personality. Now he is a relaxed, easygoing guy who enjoys being part of the family without needing to be the center of attention. He may sleep in the same room as his people or wander off to find a quiet spot of his own. He doesn't need to be glued to you every minute to feel connected. And then there are the walks. Lug Nut LOVES walks. In fact, he loves them enough that he has occasionally picked up his own leash and brought it to his foster family. Apparently, there was a serious scheduling problem and he felt management needed to be notified immediately. He gets very excited when he sees his leash and happily heads out for two or three 10–15 minute walks each day. He walks well overall, with a little pulling when he gets excited, and he doesn't bark at people or other dogs. If he spots a dog across the street, he may let out a little whine because, clearly, he thinks it's a new friend. Lug Nut enjoys other dogs and does well with them. At the dog park, he tends to be more interested in smaller dogs and can be a little intimidated by the bigger ones. He is not particularly playful and doesn't seem interested in toys, chasing games, or chewing things. Every now and then he will enjoy a bone, but his idea of a great afternoon is much more likely to involve a walk followed by a nap than a game of fetch. He is also wonderfully well behaved when left home alone. He has free run of the house and appears completely comfortable while his family is away. When they return, he is generally found sleeping. He may jump onto the couch by the window to watch someone leave through the front door, but then he quickly goes back to whatever extremely important lounging activity he had planned. Lug Nut is not a fan of confinement. He is not crate trained and does not like crates or an x-pen, so his ideal home will be one where he can safely have freedom in the house. He doesn't need a crate because he is already trustworthy and fully housetrained. There are a couple of quirky Gentle Bear details his future family should know. Like many Chows, he drinks a lot of water, so if his bowl is empty, he may decide the toilet is an acceptable backup water source. And he hasn't quite mastered the art of delicately taking a treat from someone's hand. If you know how to feed, a horse, that may work best for Lug Nut. (Flat palm)Twice, he has inadvertently gotten a little too enthusiastic and caught his foster's hand along with the snack. He isn't being aggressive at all. He simply apparently believes the entire hand might also be edible. Because Lug Nut gets stressed by travel and new environments, he would be happiest with a family that doesn't travel frequently. When his foster family took him away for a weekend, he was so uncomfortable that he held his stool for four days until he returned home and could use his familiar backyard spot. He has done the same when staying with a temporary foster while his family was away. He will pee on walks, but he absolutely insists that his other business be conducted in the privacy of his own backyard. So a home with a small, secure yard would be ideal for this particular gentleman. Once he bonds with you, Lug Nut is simply your dog. He knows you. He loves you. You are his forever. His foster family has had him for a month and says they have genuinely loved having him in their home. His foster family has also noticed that he can become surprisingly affectionate with guests once he is comfortable. Not a lot of stranger danger with this lad. Lug Nut is the kind of dog who doesn't demand much but gives you so much in return. He is gentle, quiet, affectionate, house-trained, trustworthy, wonderfully mellow, and absolutely delighted when someone suggests a walk. He's a little bit quirky, a whole lot sweet, and very deserving of a family who will appreciate the special, gentle bear that he is. Lug Nut is ready to trade his shelter story for a forever story—and preferably one that includes a backyard, plenty of walks, and absolutely no travel itinerary. August 31, 2026, 3:14 pm

* To be considered for a meet/adoption, please read the full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an online application at www.dpsrescue.org.* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, September 5th from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.   Adoption Fee: $650 Some puppies enter a room looking for a lap. Hoisin enters a room looking for everything else first. At 4 months old, this little smooth-coated Chow girl has decided the world is far too interesting to waste time sitting still for cuddles... although she is perfectly happy to squeeze in a couch nap when the mood strikes. Hoisin weighs 19 pounds right now and is expected to be around 40 pounds when fully grown. She has a beautiful soft, smooth coat and is a medium shedder, making her a little lower-maintenance in the fluff department than her extra-plush Chow cousins. Her foster family describes her as super sweet-natured, happy, curious and wonderfully mellow. When she first arrived, Hoisin was understandably a little unsure and spent most of her first day hanging out in her crate. She was happy to see her people and interact with them, but she preferred the safety of her little den. It didn't take long for curiosity to win. Soon she was venturing out, exploring her surroundings and discovering that there was an entire world waiting to be investigated. These days, Hoisin is much more confident and playful. She is also developing the classic Chow opinion that she is, in fact, entitled to have her own ideas about how things should go. In other words: the stubbornness is coming along beautifully. She occasionally decides that a leash is merely a suggestion and will simply stop moving until her human realizes she has made her position clear. She has not yet been on walks, but she has been practicing on leash in the backyard. Hoisin loves her big-dog foster sibling and enjoys playing with him. She has also met the resident cats and is very curious about them, approaching to investigate but not chasing. She absolutely loves the teenage kids in her foster home. She is pretty much always ready to play until suddenly... she isn't. When naptime arrives, Hoisin has been known to simply collapse wherever she happens to be, only to spring back to life the moment she notices a potential playmate. She is a puppy, after all. There are naps to take and important puppy business to conduct. Hoisin is also an enthusiastic little chewer. Fortunately, she has excellent taste in redirection. Give her something appropriate to chew and she is happy to oblige. She has never shown any interest in chewing on people and has been easily redirected away from furniture and other tempting household treasures. She is not a digger and, despite all her puppy activities, she is surprisingly quiet. Her foster family has barely heard a bark beyond the occasional adorable little yip. House training is coming along nicely. She rarely has a poop accident and has only had those after deworming. She does still occasionally have a pee accident, so her new family should expect to continue the usual puppy routine of frequent potty breaks and plenty of patience. At night, Hoisin sleeps beautifully in her crate. She cried and whined a little the first night, because apparently being separated from her new people was a very serious injustice, but she quickly figured out the routine. Now she settles down and does very well being left alone overnight. Her favorite thing may actually be being petted. She is unbelievably soft, and once you start petting her, you will understand why her foster family has fallen completely in love with her. She is also a champion tail wagger and is always thrilled to see her people. Her foster says she always puts a smile on her face. And then there was the night Hoisin discovered the greatest culinary opportunity of her young life: she happily finished her entire dinner and then, when nobody was looking, quietly helped herself to the resident Lab's entire dinner too. She ended the evening with a very full belly and an extremely satisfied smile. Honestly, we respect the confidence. Hoisin came to us as part of a group of Chows from a breeder who loved these dogs deeply and cared very much about their temperaments. She is now ready for the next chapter of her life: a family who will continue giving her the patience, structure, affection and guidance she needs as she grows into the wonderful Chow she is meant to be. Hoisin would thrive in a loving, active household where she can be included in family life and have plenty of opportunities to explore, play and learn. She is not likely to be your future marathon training partner or a great candidate for all-day mountain hikes, but she would be an excellent companion for a family who wants a sweet, playful puppy who will happily participate in everyday adventures. She is soft. She is sweet. She is curious. She is occasionally ridiculous. And she has already perfected the Chow skill of having an opinion about absolutely everything. Hoisin is ready to find the people who will love her right back. August 31, 2026, 3:14 pm

* To be considered for a meet/adoption, please read the full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an online application at www.dpsrescue.org.* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, September 5th from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption. Adoption Fee: $650 There are some Chows who walk into a room and immediately demand to know who is in charge. And then there is Orange Chicken, who walked into rescue, took a few days to decide that this whole “people and houses” thing might actually be okay, and then basically said: “Ohhhh. THIS is the good life!” Orange Chicken is a 9-10 month old, 35-pound female Chow Chow who came to us from a breeder situation. She is a beautiful girl with a youthful, spunky personality that has been absolutely delightful to watch emerge. When Orange Chicken first arrived, she was very shut down and understandably unsure of her new surroundings. For the first couple of days, she mostly stayed tucked away in her kennel, quietly taking everything in. But this girl didn't stay there for long. Day by day, she began to realize that she was safe, that her new people were kind, and that there were some very interesting dogs around to show her the ropes. And once Orange Chicken decided she was ready to participate in life? HELLO, ORANGE CHICKEN! Her personality started popping out everywhere. She loves to frolic around the yard, explore her surroundings, and follow the resident dogs from room to room. In fact, her foster's senior dog has basically become her personal tour guide, emotional-support Chow buddy, and GPS system. If he goes somewhere, Orange Chicken wants to know where. If he disappears, she goes looking for him. Apparently, Orange Chicken has decided that wherever he is must be where the party is. She absolutely loves other dogs. Her foster family says watching her with their dogs is one of the sweetest things about her. Even when the little 7-pound resident dog wasn't quite sure what to make of this much larger fluffy creature, Orange Chicken was wonderfully gentle and simply went off to find something else to do. Which is pretty impressive when you're a 35-pound Chow and your tiny roommate is giving you the canine equivalent of: “Excuse me. You are TOO BIG.” Orange Chicken's response? “Okay! I'll go find my other dog.” She's playful and youthful without being wild, and she has a wonderful curiosity about the world. Watching her transform from that initially shut-down girl into a happy, frolicking, curious Chow has been incredibly rewarding for her foster family. She also does beautifully with affection once she is comfortable. She may not immediately throw herself into someone's lap, but she has learned that human hands are pretty nice and happily allows her foster family to carry her, pet her, hug her, and show her affection. And that is what makes Orange Chicken so special. She's a girl who is learning how wonderful life can be. She is already making huge strides, and we think the right family is going to watch her confidence continue to blossom. She would especially love a home with another friendly dog who can be her buddy and help her feel comfortable as she continues experiencing all the things she missed out on earlier in life. She has already mastered some very important skills, including going in and out of the house, following her dog friends around, and being comfortable in her crate. She's still learning the finer points of being a house dog, but she's making progress. She hasn't even gotten to the really fun part yet. The world is still new to Orange Chicken. She hasn't discovered everything there is to discover. She hasn't perfected the art of being spoiled. She hasn't yet learned that there are people out there whose entire purpose in life is to tell a beautiful Chow how pretty she is. But she's getting there. And when she starts trotting around the yard with that happy little Chow expression, following her dog friends and exploring her world, you can see it: Orange Chicken is happy. She is sweet, gentle, curious, youthful, and wonderfully spunky. She needs a family who will give her time to continue building confidence and who understands that a Chow who has had a big life change may need a little patience while she figures everything out. Give her that patience, give her a canine companion if you can, give her a secure yard to explore, and most importantly, give her love. We have a feeling Orange Chicken is going to give you a whole lot back. Because this girl has gone from hiding in the back of her kennel to frolicking through the yard like she owns the place. And honestly? We think she's finally ready for her forever home—and she's bringing the Orange Chicken with her. August 31, 2026, 3:14 pm

* To be considered for a meet/adoption, please read the full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an online application at www.dpsrescue.org.* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, September 5th from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption. Adoption Fee: $650 Chow Fun is exactly what her name promises: a whole lot of fun, wrapped up in 42 pounds of fluffy Chow. And this girl has been on quite the journey. Chow Fun came from a breeder situation and, when she first arrived, she was understandably a little shy. She spent the first couple of days figuring out where she was, who these people were, and whether she could trust them. Spoiler alert: she decided the answer was yes. It took her approximately 48 hours to go from “Um… I’m not sure about all this” to “Okay, I live here now and you are MY PEOPLE.” Once Chow Fun decided her foster family was trustworthy, she came out of her shell in a big way. Call her name and she comes running with her tail wagging. She went from pacing nervously to lounging around, initiating play with the resident dogs, and generally acting like she has been part of the family forever. And then there is the Velcro. Chow Fun is not merely a Velcro dog. She is industrial-strength Velcro. She wants to know where her people are at all times and routinely checks in with a little boop on the leg, because apparently 42 pounds of Chow needs a physical confirmation that you're still there. She loves having her chin and head scratched and will happily rest her adorable face in your hand while you do it. After meals, she gets bouncy and performs a little happy dance because apparently dinner deserves choreography. Chow Fun is also discovering her inner athlete. She has become increasingly playful and loves playing with toys, but once the festivities are over, she's perfectly happy to settle down and lounge. She's basically part-time party girl, full-time professional napper. She lives happily with two other dogs, including another Chow, and does wonderfully with them. She's met a newborn and was completely appropriate, apparently deciding that babies are interesting but not nearly as interesting as whatever she was doing. She's also calm and easygoing enough that her foster believes she could fit into many different types of homes. And if you're looking for a walking buddy, Chow Fun is a natural. She does great on leash, doesn't need much training, happily sniffs her way along, and can be redirected when it's time to keep moving. She doesn't bark at people or other dogs, either. In fact, barking is apparently beneath her. She has occasionally delivered the softest little “boof” to another dog as an invitation to play, but that's about the extent of her public commentary. At home, Chow Fun is wonderfully well-behaved. She doesn't destroy things, doesn't dig, doesn't bark incessantly, and can roam freely with the other dogs when her foster leaves. She is calm and happy when they return and is usually the first one at the door to welcome them home. Now we need to discuss two extremely important things. HAM. Chow Fun wasn't terribly interested in eating when she first arrived. Then her foster discovered the magic ingredient. Ham. Suddenly, Chow Fun was like, “Wait. You people have been keeping THIS from me?” She also has an impressive snoring habit. And by impressive, we mean she falls asleep almost instantly and immediately starts snoring like a 74-year-old man in a recliner after Thanksgiving dinner. It's apparently both hilarious and ridiculously adorable. And then she discovered mirrors. Chow Fun has apparently never encountered her own reflection before, and she is now fascinated by the fluffy stranger staring back at her. She will stand in front of mirrors and televisions, occasionally issuing little soft growls at this mysterious Chow who keeps copying everything she does. The rivalry is intense. We have not yet determined who is winning.   But underneath all the fun, happy dances, mirror arguments, ham appreciation and industrial-strength Velcro is something really special. Chow Fun has the kindest eyes. Once she bonds with you, she trusts you with her whole world. And that is a pretty extraordinary gift from a dog who had to learn that the world could be a safe place. Chow Fun is 3 years old, 42 pounds, wonderfully loving, dog-friendly, house-trained, quiet, playful, affectionate and ridiculously cute. She is still blossoming, so a quieter home where she can continue building confidence would be wonderful, but what she's already showing her foster family is that there is a whole lot of personality waiting underneath that beautiful Chow exterior. So here's your warning: You are going to meet Chow Fun and think, “She's cute.” Then she'll wag her tail. Then she'll boop your leg. Then she'll put her face in your hand. Then she'll do her little happy dance. And approximately 14 seconds later you'll be wondering if your house has enough room for 42 pounds of Chow. Don't say we didn't warn you. Because Chow Fun isn't just fun. She IS the fun. August 31, 2026, 3:14 pm