Corrina is sooooooo right! People look at Chows and think of teddy bears. These dogs were breed for their aggressive nature (many years ago!) their enormous strength and their solid build and hair. The hair and fat around the neck made it difficult for an adversory to get a hold that would do any major damage. A leg, literally, on each corner makes it very difficult to knock down.
The dog has an amazingly calm and laid back attitude......until roused!! Be warned!
Again, as Corrina says, this is way back in the breeds history, but it is there. A properly socialised Chow is a real joy, they are steady and reliable - but you must be totally sure you know where the limit lies.
After saying this, I was a given an eight year old Chow that had lived with a non doggy family all his life - he was the laziest, most excersise resistant dog I have ever known. He was more than happy to be dragged, letting the person on the other end of the lead do all the work. In two months I had the most unexpected animal!! I have never seen such a dramatic change in a dog. He was kept in kennels for this period and our Greyhounds were the ones to bring him out of his shell - we then rehomed him to a home with three children under fifteen where he lived for five fantastic years.
Again - the breed is often misunderstood, not bad, but you must understand them and respect their capabilities.