The hindquarters and tail are well feathered. Coat length varies widely, and males may have a longer coat and ruff than females. Judges should emphasize density and texture more than length when evaluating this breed. Trimming should be discouraged except the face and legs may be neatened by trimming the whiskers, feet, and pasterns. The outer coat is hard, dense, and smooth with no obvious ruff or feathering on the legs or tail.
Puppy coats are soft, thick, and woolly.
Colors are solid but may have lighter shadings in the ruff, tail, and feathering. GAIT Correct Chow Chow gait is an essential element of breed type. Viewed from the side, the rear gait is short and stilted. The rear leg moves up and forward like a pendulum, causing a slight bounce in the rump. There is little extension either forward or to the rear.