Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
**$300 in pledges for the rescue that pulls**
**New Videos 6/26**
Bear ACCT-A-248116 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to length of stay and lack of space for incoming dogs. Bear must have confirmed placement with a RESCUE PARTNER or BREED EXPERIENCED ADOPTER by WEDNESDAY, JULY 1ST at 10AM. Should Bear's medical or behavioral status change, his urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Bear is a handsome Chow Chow who has been waiting since June 2nd for the right person to see him. This dignified, independent boy isn't the type to shower everyone with kisses the moment you meet him—but for someone who appreciates the unique personality of the breed, Bear has all the makings of a wonderful companion.
Bear is a calm, low-energy dog who enjoys leisurely walks, taking in all the sights and smells around him. Volunteers consistently describe him as easy on leash, quiet, and content to simply spend time outdoors. He has done well meeting other dogs at the shelter, generally preferring calm interactions over rough play. While he can be a little shy with new people and flinchy around fast movements, he's shown that with patience, gentle handling, and a few tasty treats, he begins to relax and even leans in for affection on his own terms.
Like many Chow Chows, Bear values his personal space and appreciates people who understand canine body language. He has given appropriate warning signals when uncomfortable with certain handling, particularly around his head or when being restrained, and does best with slow, respectful interactions that allow him to make choices. Because of this, Bear is looking for an adopter with previous Chow Chow or other independent guardian-breed experience who understands that trust is earned—not rushed. Bear is looking for a home without cats, but he has shown appropriate social skills with other dogs and may enjoy a calm canine companion after a thoughtful introduction. Due to his length of stay, Bear is urgently seeking placement with a rescue partner or breed experienced adopter.
VIDEOS:
**NEW** Amona Stanfford and Bear brief leashed meet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAgnXRz18ok
Cleo and Bear fence meet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1cEqCBid9I
Cleo and Bear leashed meet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt0xTbUmuM0
Cleo and Bear drop leash 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTkDa3YFZ8s
Cleo and Bear drop leash 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1U4hCE_67A
Philadelphia and Bear leashed meet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V4YSIgVBtA
Philadelphia and Bear drop leash 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXN-uU5kVdU
Philadelphia and Bear drop leash 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNf2n30_FhM
Zippy and Bear fence meet: https://youtu.be/YNsjlWRxdT0
Zippy and Bear leashed meet 1: https://youtu.be/AYaof_YWo2w
Zippy and Bear leashed meet 2: https://youtu.be/jEBMieKuGNA
Amona Stanfford and Bear brief leashed meet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAgnXRz18ok
BEHAVIOR NOTES:
Per volunteer 6/26: Easy to leash. Eager to head outside while walking through the kennels. Peed and pooped as soon as we were outside. Walked nicely to the play yard. Walked the perimeter of the play yard and did a bit of sniffing. Would walk up to myself and another volunteer and solicit pets by nudging our hands and leaning into us. Seems to enjoy butt rubs. Would do a tap dance with his back legs as I massaged his hip area. Went back to leisurely walking around the yard and watching the birds. Approached the fence line when dogs or people walked by. Appeared curious. A dog in the neighboring play yard barked and growled at Bear and he walked away on his own. Bear is treat motivated and knows sit. He's a sweet dog. He walked back to his kennel without issue and was easy to return using the clip method.
Per volunteer 6/26: Medium energy. Slightly shy.
Per volunteer 6/22: Easy walker, sweet, quiet. Good pup. Slight issues returning to kennel.
Per staff 6/19: He mingled in playgroup today, tolerant of being sniffed. Sat the gate after about 5 minutes and was ready to leave. Volunteer said it was "tricky" to unclip the leash off the collar due to his flinchy behavior. Go slow.
Per volunteer 6/19: Easy on leash.
Per staff 6/17: Calm, easy on leash, kept to himself.
Per volunteer 6/16: Low energy. Good dog meet.
Per volunteer 6/14: Low energy. Photoshoot.
Per staff 6/12: Due to note of warning snap, leveling up from exp gold to exp blue.
Per volunteer 6/11: Bear walks very well on the leash! He does not really tug or pull, he takes his time and likes to sniff everything. He is a little bit aloof, he seemed very content to just enjoy sitting outside smelling the fresh air. He was very chill! He was fine when I first approached him from the side to pet, and he let me pet him for a bit. I started near his ear and worked down his back. He did not seem to enjoy pets as much as other dogs so I respected when he got up. But then toward the end of our time in the yard he did give me a warning snap, when I approached from the front to pet the side of his head by his ear, and I backed off completely. There was no growling or aggressive noises, he just clacked his jaws together to snap. He was fine walking back to his kennel, too.
Per walksheet 6/9: Bear was observed to have low energy.
Per staff 6/7:
Kennel Presentation: Laying in the back side of his kennel when I approached. I called his name and he slowly got up then came to the front.
Leash Skills: Slightly dodged the leash. Once leashed he came right out and walked on a loose leash.
Sociability: He can be flinchy with movements. Go slow and use meatballs or pepperoni. I was able to gently pet his chest and down his side.
Dog Interaction: Met Zippy. Tolerant of her puppy energy.
Return to Kennel: Went right back into the kennel and I removed leash with hand.
Color Level: Exp Gold
Per walksheet 6/7: Bear had mild shyness and was observed to have low energy with a good dog meet. Handler wrote "likes meatballs and pepperoni. Go slow with handling. Flinchy." During a second walk on 6/7, Bear had no general issues noted and was described as "good."
Per walksheet 6/6: Bear had mild kennel issues and was noted to have low energy. He had a good dog meet with Cleo and Philadelphia. Handler wrote "very easy on leash and chill generally. Showed teeth through fence at another dog that was jumping and barking toward him, but was otherwise noted as 'unbothered King.'"
Per staff 6/4: Bear's first visit I remember how great he was with my foster dog, and having her in the intake room enabled me to check him in that day. This time when he came in he was put in my office but he was pacing a bit, and exit searching. At times he would come over to me and sit next to me as I was typing and then got back to the gate and paw at the gate. I took him out for a walk he was easy to leash. Outside he was uninterested in me and preferred to sniff all the things he could. He peed outside several times and did not pull on the leash. He did see a cat and pulled a bit toward her, and was very focused on her so cat free home would definitely be best for him. Once back inside he went back to alternating between sitting next to me and going to the gate. I was concerned he could possibly get out of my office if I left him overnight so I took him into the kennel. He was very easy and walked right up into it. While he's a bit aloof at first when you meet him, he will duck his head under your hand for pets after a little bit. He would be perfect for a chow lover with or without other dogs.
Per staff 6/3: Owner said it had just been really difficult with Bear urinating on his bed and him having to clean the bed and wash everything every day when he got home from work.
Per staff 6/2: TTA unable to check in due to behavior. Wouldn't allow restraint and wouldn't take treats. Stressed, panting a lot.
Per staff 6/2: This was the 5th time that Bear peed on owners bed. Client said Bear and the owner shared a room in a communal house and it was a very small space for the 2 of them.
Per staff 4/21: We went inside into the intake room, I drew up the vaccines. Foster dog Jordan was with us as he seemed better with her than solo based on other notes about his intake. I stepped on his leash and pet his side. He felt very matted so I had to separate quite a bit of fur to get to the skin. Once I did he turned his head and I had my arm blocking it until the vaccine was done. Took a break and tried to give him a treat which he ignored. Did the same with the second vaccine. I put a no slip collar on him and we left the room.
Per staff 4/21: Took Bear out of crate, he tucked his head and pushed a bit to get out and I pushed him back in and put the loop over his head. We walked out. I had my foster dog and they sniffed each other briefly and then kept walking, taking turns with one sniffing the other while they were sniffing the fence, and vice versa. Once in parking lot we walked to the large play yard and dropped leash. Bear walked around and marked, pretty uninterested in Jordan. At times they would bump into each other and sniff or walk off together and then go separate ways. Jordan muzzle punched him at one point out of excitement at seeing a ball and Bear backed away. Bear didn't solicit pets, however when I picked up the leash and pet him, he would stand still. We did this a few times, he tolerated my petting him all over. When I put him back in his kennel he went in without issue.
Per staff 4/21: TTA; 2nd attempt. Only completed physical/bordetella/barrier. Bear allows petting, he likes cream cheese and cheese slices but would not allow vaccine administration for DHPP and rabies. Whale eye, tense body, warning bites while attempting to muzzle, he does not want to be restrained or poked.
Per staff 4/20: Moderate hesitation. Avoidant of the leash. Walked nicely on the leash, no pulling. Walked right into kennel and unleashed without issue. "Nervous first attempt, gave some time and got him out. Walks very well on leash and seemed super interested in other dogs. Appears house trained."
Per staff 4/19: Evasive, low barks, high tail wags as we attempted to catch him. Moved head away from pole, did not attempt to bite. Once on pole did bite but let go and began to walk as if he was on a leash.
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Due to being significantly overcapacity with animals and higher than usual intake, extensions are unlikely to be granted. If you are interested in an animal please contact ACCT Philly immediately.
Due to limited space, timestamps may also be proceeded with early so it is imperative to let us know if you are considering adopting or tagging an animal.
ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details.
If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/
Confirmed placement is considered a confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent.
All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open-intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly's Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313.
