12 Unique Dog Breeds That Come From China.

Dogs have been a part of Chinese culture for more than 7,000 years.
Dogs have been woven into cultural stories, found in artworks, and skeletal remains from Chinese archaeological digs.Show more

They have been used as guardians, hauling, herding, hunting, and regal companions from the time they were domesticated.

The breeds span all types and sizes, from fluffy lapdogs like the shih tzu to wrinkly-faced guard dogs like the well-known shar-pei and rarely mentioned Kunming wolfdog.

Breed Characteristics.

The breeds span all different body types and sizes and are as unique as the varied regions of China, from the colder mountain zone to the tropical, coastal areas.

It is believed that the emperors and nobles greatly appreciated the flat-faced look; hence many—although not all—have shorter snouts and folds in their faces.

Flattened faces gave the dogs almost a "lion dog" appearance, an important symbol of protection in Chinese lore.

Another unique quality—the shar-pei, chow chow, and Chongqing dogs have blue-black tongues—a rare quality in dogs.

Most Chinese dogs are in the toy to the medium-sized range; a few breeds go up to 80 pounds but not more than that.

These 12 unique dog breeds hail from all parts of China.

#1. Pugs.

Pugs are one of the most popular family dog breeds due to their sweet, friendly demeanor and manageable size.

They're also one of the world's oldest breeds.

The pug likely originated in China around 400 Before Christ. as a Tibetan Buddhist monk companion.

Hypotheses swirl tying pugs to Tibetan mastiffs while others claim it's related to the Pekingese, another Chinese dog hailing from China.

Formerly a mischievous companion of emperors, this comical, loving pup warms hearts everywhere it goes.

#2. Pekingese.

Also called "Pekes," "lion dogs," or "sun dogs," Pekingese were initially kept as companion pets to Chinese royalty and were ingrained in Chinese folklore.

One story says that Pekingese were created when Buddha shrunk a lion down to the size of a small dog.

In reality, Pekingese were most likely the result of breeding a larger dog with toy-sized dogs in China.

They were a favorite—and much looked-after—pet among Chinese royalty for thousands of years.

#3. Shih Tzus.

The shih tzu, a small toy dog with a playful personality, is named for its lion-like appearance.

Its name comes from the word "lion" in Chinese.

Like the Pekingese and pugs, Shih Tzus were treasured by Chinese nobility for centuries and were considered the noble dog of China.

The shih tzu can be traced back to ancient dog breeds but is more closely related to wolves than other dog breeds.

#4. Shar-Peis.

Known for their distinctive, wrinkled faces, petite ears, and blue-black tongues, shar-peis are a unique and rare breed with roots in ancient China.

Shar-peis, meaning "sand skin," were initially bred as hunting and guard dogs 2,000 years ago in southern China.

Sadly, during China's communist revolution in the mid-1900s, shar-pei populations were decimated, almost making the breed extinct.

Sometime during the 1970s, a Chinese shar-pei enthusiast rallied American breeders to propagate the breed,
and numbers rose once again.

#5. Chow Chow.

Chow chows are among the most ancient Chinese dog breeds, with evidence dating back to 206 Befor Christ.

They were originally employed as hunting and guard dogs.

Like the shar-pei, chows have a very distinctive appearance:

Their faces are somewhat bear-like with deep facial folds and a blue-black tongue.

#6. Chinese Crested.

Because the Chinese crested has extremely early origins, no one is exactly sure when or how the breed was developed.