In China, this breed is called "fluffy lion dog," "bear dog," and "blue tongue." These names all refer to the dog's striking appearance. The Chow Chow belongs to the group of Asian spitzes. It has a very sturdy build, with a maximum height of 56 cm at the withers and weighs around 30 kg. There are both short-haired and long-haired Chow Chows, but even the short-haired ones have very soft, fluffy coats. However, the short-haired "smooth Chow" is much less common than the long-haired variant. Beneath the long fur, there is a dense undercoat, and the animal sports a luxurious mane. This lion-like look is very typical for the Chow Chow. The impressive coat is always solid in color, but lighter fur on the belly and the inner parts of the thighs is allowed. The permitted colors are black, red, blue, fawn, cream, and white. The broad, flat ears stand erect, and the dog carries its tail curled up over its back.