Top Chinese Dog Breeds: A Glimpse into Domestic Canine

The Top Five Famous Dogs in China

1. Pekingese

The Pekingese, also known as the Peking Lion Dog or the Imperial Peking Lion Dog, has its origins in Northeast China. The Manchu people called it the Ham Dog, while the common folk referred to it as the Jingba. In ancient times, the Pekingese was bred for the enjoyment of the imperial family, and ordinary citizens were forbidden from keeping them, with severe punishment for those who defied this rule. After the British and French forces seized four Pekingese and presented them to Queen Victoria in 1860, these honest dogs became beloved by Westerners.

The Pekingese stands at approximately 20 to 25 centimeters tall and weighs between 3 to 6 kilograms. Their long, fine, and downwardsloping coat is not curly or wavy, and the fur is soft. The color of the coat varies, with golden yellow being particularly rare. They have short, wide, flat, slightly upturned muzzles with creases on the bridge of the nose. Their eyes are large and round, with a wide distance between them. The Pekingese is a small dog with sturdy, short legs, slightly curved forelimbs, and a curly, tufted tail that falls to the sides. Known for their gentle, agile, and intelligent nature, they are easy to befriend and highly adaptable, making them a delightful companion.

2. Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso, also known as the Tibetan Lion Dog, is native to Tibet and was originally used as a guard dog in monasteries. In 1928, the Lhasa Apso was brought to England for breeding.

This dog weighs around 3 to 6 kilograms and stands at about 20 to 25 centimeters tall. It has a long, straight coat with slight waves, predominantly in black, white, brown, golden, and bluegray colors. The hair on the head is long and dense, often covering the eyes, and the whiskers are long as well. The ears hang down with black tips. The tail is curled up over the back, and the decorative fur is scattered to one side. The Lhasa Apso is lively and can be difficult to train as an adult, but once trained, they are fiercely loyal and make excellent family pets.

3. Xishi Dog

The Xishi Dog, also known as the Chinese Lion Dog, is a longhaired breed that resulted from the crossbreeding of the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese.

These dogs do not exceed 27 centimeters in height and weigh between 4.5 to 8 kilograms, exuding vitality in their small stature.

The Xishi Dog has a long, wavy coat with a variety of colors, with white, black, and golden yellow being the most desirable. The coat is also available in brown, brownish, coffee, beige, or gray. The most important identification feature is the white color on the central part of the head and at the ends. The long hair covering the eyes is often tied up in small braids to maintain the dog's vision and beauty. Their eyes are large and round, with dark brown irises that are bright and expressive. The ears hang down, adorned with long, abundant decorative fur. The body is covered in long hair, often extending over the limbs.

4. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu, also known as the Tibetan Hunting Dog, was once a toy breed for Tibetan nobility. It is one of the world's smallest dog breeds, much smaller than the Chihuahua. The purebred Shih Tzu stands less than 15 centimeters tall and weighs only a few hundred grams. They are cherished for their fresh coat color, lively and adorable nature, and their easytocarefor temperament. Due to their rarity, they are highly valued.

5. Sha Pi Dog

The Sha Pi Dog, also known as the Dalin Dog, Da Dog, or Dou Dog, hails from Dalin Town, Nanhai County, Guangdong Province. There are depictions of Sha Pi dogs in Han Dynasty paintings, indicating that they have been bred for nearly two millennia. Known for their loose skin, which made them resistant to bites during fights, these dogs were often bred as fighting dogs by ancient nobility.

The Sha Pi Dog stands at 46 to 51 centimeters tall and weighs between 16 to 20 kilograms. Their heads are large and clumsy, resembling a hippopotamus, with long, wide, thick lips and a bluish tongue. Their faces are marked by many wrinkles, with narrow, triangular eyes set into the sockets. The skin on the head, neck, and shoulders is thick and loose, with many wrinkles but also elastic. The short, hard coat feels like sandpaper, hence the name. Most Sha Pi dogs have yellow, yellowbrown, black, or coffeecolored coats.

For more information on other dog breeds, you can read "What Types of Guard Dogs Are There?"