chow chow — BSL across the US
Cities with full chow chow bans (14)
Cities that restrict chow chows (3)
Frequently asked questions
Is the chow chow banned in the US?
Chow chow is banned in 14 US cities and restricted in 3 more. There is no federal ban — BSL is enacted at the city and county level.
How do I prove my dog is not a chow chow?
BSL ordinances typically identify breeds by appearance, which is unreliable. A dog DNA test (such as Embark or Wisdom Panel) can provide genetic breed identification that may be used to contest a visual breed determination.
What states ban chow chows?
No US state has a statewide chow chow ban. BSL is enacted at the city and county level. Some states preempt BSL entirely, prohibiting cities from passing breed-specific ordinances.
Can I own a chow chow if I move to a city with a ban?
No — city breed bans apply to all residents within city limits. Grandfathering provisions exist in some cities for dogs owned before the ordinance was enacted, but requirements are strict.
Is your chow chow visually misidentified?
BSL uses appearance to determine breed. A DNA test proves what your dog actually is.