Well darn, I just now saw this thread! When it started, I was 200 miles away with my dogs in an obedience trial and I've just been pretty busy overall.
I have three chows and have been active with the breed overall for a number of years now. All of my dogs are trained and titled - even my young dog earned her first title this past weekend. I've been to chow nationals a couple of times (think 300+ chows all at the same place!) and showed one of mine in obedience both times when there.
The chow is a spitz breed, with the typical independent mind that spitz breeds have. They were bred for a variety of tasks, including pulling, packing, herding and guarding. A good chow has a solid temperament, with no unwarranted aggression. They may not be particularly friendly, however - the standard calls for them to be "aloof" but that doesn't equal aggressive.
However, like so many breeds, they became popular awhile back and people started breeding frantically to make some quick money. These backyard-type breeders were not particularly concerned with temperament and the chow did spiral downhill for awhile. GOOD breeders are working hard to bring back that solid temperament, but unfortunately there are still people out there just trying to make the almighty buck. I remember when this happened with dalmatians and St. Bernards and other breeds too. It's not just the chow that has gone through this problem.
Most chows, as adults, are kind of indifferent about other people and dogs. Mine will greet someone but that's generally it - they don't expect a bunch of petting and go their own ways to explore. My black chow is a classic chow temperament. I can take her anywhere and she'll look at people and dogs and then just kind of shrug her shoulders and do her own thing. She's not aggressive towards anyone, however, but if someone doesn't understand her attitude they may feel she is not friendly and therefore not a nice dog.
Anyone with a fear of any breed should try to contact a breed group in their area to see if they can meet with experienced owners who have nice dogs. They can learn about the breed and have some hands-on experience with the dogs. If I were afraid of every breed that had ever bitten me or attempted to bite me, I'd hate labs, goldens, dalmatians, terriers of various types, Australian cattle dogs, Australian shepherds, chihuahuas, hounds, German shepherds, chows, huskies, shih tzus, bichons, etc. (there are others, just can't think of them all). I've been teaching pet and competition classes for more than a decade and a half and I do behavior consultations with people with problem dogs. There are good dogs in every breed and bad dogs in every breed. It's nearly always the owner that creates the problem, too.
My older chow has earned five obedience titles, four agility titles, a schutzhund BH and is herding certified. She has visited the nursing home and preschools and everyone has loved her. My middle chow has agility titles and a leg towards obedience, and she too has visited the nursing home. My youngest just earned her first title, has visited the nursing home and is signed up for a therapy dog class next month. All three came from diverse backgrounds. They are absolutely wonderful loving dogs and I have no fear that anyone will get bit by one.
So please find a way to get around some good chows, and don't let your bias create problems for you regarding the chows at the dog park. From what you described, they sound like they're just being typical "I'm going to do my own thing" kind of dogs and are likely no problem at all. Chows are actually very easy to get along with when they are like that. Most dogs won't even bother with them because their body language says "Naw, I'm not interested in playing .. I'd rather just sniff over here". Dogs understand that.
Here's Kylee at the nursing home:
And Khana getting a "hug on the run" from my nephew:
Melanie and the gang in Alaska
