Did you know that some of the most popular dog breeds came from China? In fact, they’re so popular that you can even see them in all parts of the world. This is because China has some of the cuddliest dogs around; next to the Italian dog breeds, the ones from China have been constantly bred and shared all over the world.
Amazingly, these lovely breeds were as old as China’s history itself. Just like today, dogs back then were popular amongst common people and royalties alike. This is no wonder why they were valued and even mixed with other breeds.
These came to be the Chinese dog breeds that we come to love today, and below are some of the most popular ones:
Pekingese
Commonly chosen as pets amongst imperial family members, this dog breed is seen as a shrunken lion due to its fierce nature even for its small size. It also has a furry coat that resembles a lion’s mane.
When the British people came to China, they took a liking to the Pekingese and bought back the dogs to England. This introduced them to the western world, thus multiplying further and creating the Pekingese breed that we know today.
Pug
The Pug is known for its adorable stature. Its wrinkly skin folds and big eyes are its most distinct features. The Pug existed in China since the Han Dynasty which is around 206 B.C., making it one of the oldest dog breeds in the country.
Pugs were popular amongst emperors back then and were even given accommodations and soldiers to guard them. Today, they’re equally popular and are adored by pet lovers of all ages.
Shih Tzu
This is another one of the small Chinese dog breeds that you can always see today. The Shih Tzu, which literally means “little lion” in Mandarin, is thought to have originated from Tibet. However, it was then introduced in China as gifts. They were given to royals as pets.
The breed then started to get famous, especially after it was mixed with other breeds like the Pekingese and Pugs. Now, you can almost see anyone with a Shih Tzu because they’re not only adorable but affectionate house dogs too.
Chinese Imperial
Obviously, from the name itself, the Chinese Imperial is also a breed that was kept by royals in ancient China. Today, you can see a lot of Chinese Imperial breeds all over the world, pure or mixed breed.
This dog is closely related to the Shih Tzu because of its small stature and coat. Apart from that, it’s deemed to be a separate Chinese breed. Anyone who prefers a tiny dog can easily love the Chinese Imperial not only because of how precious they are but because of how playful they can get.
The Shar-Pei is one of the large Chinese dog breeds that you can own today. Like the pugs, they are known for their wrinkles due to their hereditary makeup.
The Shar-Pei breed almost went extinct during the mid-20th century because dog ownership was condemned by Mao Zedong during this time. Luckily, the breed survived as some were smuggled out of China. Now, they’ve repopulated, and you can surely own one.
Chinese Crested
Recognized for their hairless, small bodies, the Chinese Crested is a popular breed that once started in Africa. It was bought to China, and from there, the breed grew in numbers.
Though they are always seen to have a hairless body, this breed can have full hair too. This type of Chinese Crested is called Powderpuffs. They were constantly bred before, and today, we now have this amazingly loving breed that we can pet and own.
Xiasi Quan
This is another breed of dogs in China that’s highly valued. However, instead of being lap dogs, they were more likely deemed as hunting partners. This breed is also an excellent guard dog, so it’s always favored by many people, especially royals in ancient China.
Due to this, the Xiasi Quan breed is believed to be lucky charms as they’re thought to bring wealth into a home. Today, they’re still popular and are preferred by hunters for their agile and lean stature.
Kunming
Just like how German Shepherds are used as K9-units for the American police, the Kunming is used by the Hong Kong police unit too. This dependable breed is said to be a cousin of the German Shepherd because both look similar.
They also have the same traits – loyal, reliable, and smart. Today, the Kunming, aside from being police dogs, are also owned as pets because of their dependable trait.
Chow Chow
Huggable and friendly, the Chow Chow is distinctly known for its fluffy hair, and just like the Shar-Pei, it also has a wrinkly forehead. What’s interesting about this breed is that according to Chinese legend, the reason why they have blue tongues is that they licked the sky when it was created.
Before, Chow Chows were given as gifts to imperial families, and today, they are still considered one of the favorites amongst dog owners.
Chinese Chongqing
Another breed that resembles the Shar-Pei, the Chinese Chongqing, named after the city Chongqing, has distinct wrinkles too. This feature is common amongst Chinese breeds as mixed breeding was constantly done even today.
Currently, you’ll rarely see Chinese Chongqing breeds in big cities as they’re often found in rural China. You can find this lovable breed in other parts of the world too.
Japanese Chin
You might think that this dog is included in the list of Japanese breeds, but they are actually bought to Japan from ancient China. This dog breed used to be the favorite of emperors and was loved not only because of their adorable features and lovely hair but also because of their loving nature.
In modern times, this breed is owned as house pets and are valued because of their intelligence and loyal nature.
If you’re searching for Chinese dog breeds, then these are some of the most well-known ones. You can see a lot of these breeds not only in China but in the rest of the world too.