Chow chow is a breed of dog that was developed in China, where it is referred to as Songshi Quan , which literally means “puffy-lion dog”. The chow is a sturdily built dog, square in profile, with a broad skull and small, triangular, erect ears, rounded at the tips. The breed has a very dense double coat that can be either smooth or rough. The fur is particularly thick around the neck, giving the distinctive ruff or mane appearance. The coat may be one of five colors including red, black, blue, cinnamon fawn, and cream.