ChowTales

03/08/2026

CLICK to see the article "SHOW YOUR CHOW FEARLESSLY"
https://chowtales.com/rare-1926-breed-publication-national-dog-journal/

This incredibly rare 1926 magazine with chow article within, came to my attention quite unexpectedly when a Facebook friend, JS Reed, tagged me in a post to draw my attention to its rarity. The original post had been shared by Bulldog breeder, historian, and AKC Gazette columnist, Elizabeth Hugo Milam

After a few messages back and forth, Elizabeth and I quickly discovered we had much in common. What began as a simple conversation about a rare publication soon revealed a shared passion for preserving the history of our respective breeds. That moment of realizing our mutual interest in canine history sparked not only a fascinating discussion about the magazine itself, but also the beginning of a new friendship.

Elizabeth very generously offered to send this remarkable publication to the ChowTales Archive, a gesture for which I am eternally grateful. To date, neither of us has encountered another copy of this particular issue of The National Dog Journal, making its survival all the more extraordinary.

If any ChowTales followers happen to have copies of The National Dog Journal in their own collections—whether from this year or any other—I would be delighted to hear from you. Discovering additional issues would help shed further light on this fascinating and little-seen publication.

The cover featuring Mrs. Waller /Messmore is a treasure in itself. She was a close friend of the article’s author, Eugene Byfield, which makes her appearance on the cover especially meaningful.

Known to the dog world as Mrs. Waller /Messmore, she was one of the early foundation breeders of Chow Chows in America and an important voice for the breed during its formative years in this country. She authored numerous articles for the American Kennel Club’s publication, the AKC Gazette, helping to educate fanciers and promote understanding of the breed at a time when Chows were still relatively new to American dog circles.

For easier reading, I have broken the two-page article into smaller sections below and enlarged the accompanying photographs so the details can be more fully appreciated.

CLICK to see the article "SHOW YOUR CHOW FEARLESSLY"
https://chowtales.com/rare-1926-breed-publication-national-dog-journal/

12/22/2025

An old-fashioned Christmas reminds us that every season is layered with memory.
Here’s to the Chows who came before, the ones who walk with us today, and the future they quietly shape.

Have a joyous Chowliday Season from ChowTales!!!!

11/24/2025

You wonder why out Chows "BOOF" and "PUFF" and not always bark....this is why.

08/09/2025

https://chowtales.com/1914-kennel-8-chinese-import-chows-judge-william-p-james/

This 1914 article from the Los Angeles times is really interesting in the number of imports the Judge brought from China during a time when the chow was rarely seen on the west coast, in fact the article states the judge had the ONLY kennel of chows on the west coast. Most chows in these

12/26/2024

June 1922 Ladies Home Journal
Advertisement for Fascinette Frocks

I had seen this lovely
ad in photos only once
many years ago and
was thrilled to see
it pop up for auction
at a very good price recently.

This little Chow is so beautiful and an appropriate companion to this girl in the heyday of the Chow breed in America

Such a special find to add to my Chows in Advertising curated collection right here on Chowtales History website
https://chowtales.com/chows-in-advertisements/

12/25/2024

Circa 1920's classified ads in a variety of newspapers advertising chow puppies as the perfect Christmas presents. As responsible chow breeders today we would most likely gasp as such marketing...Christmas is no time for a puppy surprise, yet these ads range from the petshop puppy peddler to one of our most respected chowists in the heyday of the breed.

You can probably pick her ad out just from the wording .I was really drawn to the wonderful graphic in the upper left. So 1920's and very cute. I just thought you would like to see some of the Xmas ads I've been collecting for a number of years.

12/25/2024

Seasons Greetings to the ChowTales pack!!!! Thank you for joining the treasure hunt for Chow History!!!!❤️

12/21/2024

HE SET THE CHOW CHOW STANDARD
CHOW VIII was born in China, Oct 1890

Imported to England in 1895 by Miss Bagshaw

His parentage and breeder are unknown

He was the first of the breed to gain a championship title in England.

Chow VIII stood at stud for £3 3s

Considered so perfect that the original Standard for the breed was written using his conformation points.

Though an almost perfect specimen, CHOW VIII was reported to have a temperament that was sharp and changed owners a number of times

He was sold to Mr. Temple of the Leyswood stud, having first passed through the hands of a Mr. Sprengel.

Chow VIII was benched at a London show in 1897 and a sensation was caused when he was purchased by J. V. Faber for £100

References to his date of death state 1905 (15 years old)

ACTUAL PHOTOS AND MORE INFO ARE HERE ON CHOWTALES
https://chowtales.com/1890-time-capsule-chow-viii-he-set-the-standard/