I used to own a Golden Retriever/Chow Chow mix. She was the sweetest dog ever, and I think the GR gave her the sweet temperment, yet also protective. We just recently had to put her down a few years ago, and I still cry when I think about what she had gone through as a pup. She was very friendly to strangers, but hated little boys. Which was because they would come to the fence and tease her. But she was my childhood buddy, and I will never forget her.
I don't think all Chows are bad, just as everyone else said, they're dogs that don't give much warning when they're going to defend themselves. My mom's friend told me a story about their friend having two Chows. He said they'd let you in, but if you tried to leave, they'd stand between you and the door, and would not let you move. I've heard a couple of other people say the same.
I think they're beautiful dogs when put into the right hands (big ol' teddies!
) But it's more of a matter of who owns the dog, and whether or not the owner knows and understands the breed. As Grace and Winged said, they're not a dog for everyone, and particularly not a dog for someone who wants to love all over them, and expect them to love every stranger they meet.