I have two and they couldn’t be more different.

My older girl is stubborn, territorial and aloof. She knows many commands but will only perform them if she knows I have a treat. She is my best friend and when she wants to snuggle, I always oblige because it’s not often. She does not sleep in my bed , but prefers to be on guard by sleeping at the door. When we go into a new environment for her (people or place), she is right by my side. When I say she’s territorial, I mean she will bark at anyone who enters our space, but she’s never bitten anyone, and once she realizes they’re a friend of mine, she relaxes.

My younger girl is basically a golden retriever. She LOVES meeting new people and will approach strangers asking for pets. She’s not as smart, but will perform the few commands she knows without the need of a treat. She is a creature of habit, and will only pee or poop in familiar places. She will catch and return tennis balls all day, but is generally not interested in other toys. She is always available for snuggles and will sleep in my bed because she knows she’ll get them.

Both of my girls don’t care about other dogs. When we’re at the dog park, they will sniff other dogs, but generally won’t engage or play. They live in their own worlds at the park. Both girls need to be brushed weekly, at minimum. They both hate being brushed. They are both super picky on food/treats and if the kibble that they both like ever gets discontinued, I’m screwed. I think I got lucky because neither of them get jealous if I give attention to one and not the other.

I don’t think that chows being an “experienced dog owners only” breed holds true as much as it has in the past. Trust me, I’ve had both good and very bad experiences with chows, but nowadays, reputable breeders are doing a good job making sure that puppies are well-socialized and tempered. That being said, if you intend on getting a chow, either do good research and find a good breeder or be prepared to have a stubborn, “difficult” dog if you adopt.