The zoo in southern Guangdong province described the animals as “panda dogs” after a viral video showed the animals panting and barking in their enclosure.

Footage of the dogs – apparently Chow Chows – was shared with an incredulous caption more than 1.4 million times on the Chinese version of TikTok, CNN reports.

The zoo’s unapologetic manager subsequently told Chinese state media outlet Sichuan Observation that the ‘panda dogs’ are one of its top attractions.

“These are Chow Chow dogs being painted,” they said. “This is part of our specialties.”