Chinese Dog Breeds: 18 Dog Breeds That Come From China

China is the home to some of the most popular, oldest, and most amazing dog breeds in the world. So if you are shopping around for a new best friend, looking through China’s back catalog is undoubtedly a great place to start. Fortunately, we have put together a comprehensive list of all the top Chinese breeds for you to take a look at. Enjoy!

1. Pugs

One of the most popular breeds in the world due to their size, personality and family-friendly spirit. The Pug is also among the oldest breeds of dog globally, dating back to China as early as 400BC. They were initially said to be the companion dogs of Tibetan Buddhist monks, and some say they are related to the Tibetan Mastiff or the Pekingese. They are classed as toy dogs and stand at the height of 10-13 inches, weighing in at 14 to 18 pounds. Most pugs live to around 13-15 years old.

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2. Chinese Crested

No one is exactly sure when the Chinese Crested dog first came about, but it is definitely an old Chinese breed. Some stories claim that hairless dogs were transported from Africa to China and bred with toy dogs to create the Chinese Crested, although that is unconfirmed. It would explain their size and their unique hairless bodies. They were employed on Chinese ships to hunt rats and mice in olden times. They are classed as toy dogs and stand at the height of 11-13 inches, weighing in at 8 to 12 pounds. Most live to around 13-18 years old.

3. Pekingese

These dogs are also often referred to as Sun Dogs, Lion Dogs, or Pekes. Like every other canine in this list, they originally dated back to China and were said to be companions to Chinese royalty back in the day. In fact, they were a prominent part of Chinese folklore, with the stories saying the Pekingese were created by a Buddha shrinking a lion. The truth is that the Pekinese were likely bred from a toy dog and a larger dog in China. They are classed as toy dogs and stand at the height of 6-9 inches, weighing in at up to 14 pounds. Most Pekingese live to around 12-14 years old.

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4. Xiasi

These dogs date back to 1080 in Guizhou, China. They are typically used for hunting and as guard dogs, but the local Guizhou community also believes that owning a Xiasi brings wealth to a family. They stand at a 17-20 inches height, weighing in at 22 to 60 pounds. Most live to around 12-14 years old.

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5. Shih Tzu

Another Chinese dog on our list received its name due to its lion-like appearance. The name Shih Tzus literally comes from the Chinese word for lion. Much like the Pekingese, Shih Tzus were kept as pets by royalty in China for many years and are among one of the oldest breeds. They are known for having a playful personality, which is why they remain so popular to this day. They are classed as toy dogs and stand at an 8-11 inches height, weighing in at 9 to 16 pounds. Most live to around 10-16 years old.

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6. Kunming Wolfdog

As the name suggests, the Kunming is a hybrid between a wolf and a dog. They first arrived in China in the 1950s and are a close relative of the German Shepherd, a popular dog breed. As such, they are sometimes referred to as the Chinese German Shepherd. Kunmings work a lot in the military, fire department, and search-and-rescue while also remaining a popular option for families. They received their name from the capital city of the Chinese province of Yunnan. They stand at the height of 25-27 inches, weighing in at 65 to 85 pounds. Most live to around 12-14 years old.

7. Shar-Pei

A rare breed in the modern world, Shar-Peis originally dates back to China, with their name translating to Sand Skin. 2,000 years ago, the Chinese bred these dogs to serve as hunters and guards. However, in the 1900s, the Shar-Pei population was cut down during the communist revolution in China, teetering on the brink of extinction. Fortunately, they were saved in the 1970s when American breeders noticed, and the numbers have risen ever since. They are classed as non-sporting dogs and stand at the height of 18-20 inches, weighing in at 45 to 60 pounds. Most live to around 8-12 years old.

8. Japanese Chin

It may literally have the word Japan in its name, but the Chin is thought to originate from China. It is believed they may have been a gift from a Chinese emperor to royalty in Japan, which is where they received their name. They have often been compared to cats in terms of their personality and were popular royalty pets in old Japan. The more Japan began to trade with other countries, the more the Chin was handed out as a gift, making it a worldwide dog these days. They are classed as toy dogs and stand at the height of 8-11 inches, weighing in at 4 to 9 pounds. Most live to around 10-14 years old.

9. Chinese Imperial

These dogs are often referred to as teacup dogs due to their tiny size, or perhaps the micro-Shih Tzu. Although the AKC does not agree, many consider it a different breed than the Shih Tzu. They dated back to old Chinese times and were kept as companions by Chinese emperors. They stand at a 7-8 inches height, weighing in at 4 to 7 pounds. Most pups live to around 10-15 years old.

10. Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is one of the oldest Chinese dogs in the world. They dated back as far as 206 BC and were initially used as hunters and guards. However, they remain popular in modern times due to their distinctive looks, with many comparing them to bears due to their size and big facial folds. They are classed as non-sporting dogs and stand at the height of 17-20 inches, weighing in at 40 to 70 pounds. Most live to around 10-12 years old.

11. Formosan Mountain Dog

These are also often referred to as Taiwan Dogs and are actually one of the oldest known dog breeds in the world, dating back as far as 20,000 years ago. They were once wild and came from the mountains of Taiwan but are now domestic pets and used as hunters, guards, rescuers, and family pets. They are classed as primitive and hunting dogs and stand at the height of 13-16 inches, weighing in at 13 to 16 pounds. Most pugs live to around 9-13 years old.

12. Chinese Chongqing

In modern times, the Chinese Chongqing is a rare breed to find, even in China, but it still exists in certain areas. It dates back to the Han dynasty in China around 2,000 years ago and is sometimes referred to as a Bamboo Ratter due to its bamboo-like tail. They stand at a 16-19 inches height, weighing in at 44 to 45 pounds. Most live to around 10-13 years old.

13. Lhasa Apso

These are often referred to as bearded lion dogs due to their unique appearance. They dated back over 1,000 years and were initially been found in Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayan Mountains. In fact, they even have ties to the Dalai Lama himself! Folklore claims that the Lhasa Apso is the Earth representative of the Tibetan protector, the mythical Snow Lion. They live between 12 and 15 years.

14. Tibetan Mastiff

You can’t have a Chinese dog list without a Mastiff. Folklore claims the Tibetan Mastiff hosts the souls of reincarnated monks and nuns, and they would protect their villages in the Himalayas. They were usually given as gifts to Tibetan travelers as they passed through these villages.

15. Tibetan Terrier

This breed is often referred to as the Holy Dog of Tibet, and they are also linked to the Dalai Lama and Buddhist monasteries. Originally, they were companion dogs, watchdogs, and herders, and Tibetan folklore claims they will bring the owner good luck.

16. Tibetan Spaniel

This is a rare breed to find outside of China and is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. They were originally known as alert dogs for monasteries in Tibet, which is why they are such keen barkers even to this day.

17. Tibetan Kyi Apso

A rare breed often used to guard farm animals in Tibet, the Kyi Apso is so hairy they are often shaved and the clippings are used to make rugs. Their coats are so thick and long, that they often weigh up to 100 pounds. They are similar dogs to the Tibetan Mastiff and have powerful pack and survival instincts.

18. Manchurian Hairless

These pups are known to be very affectionate and very loyal, even if few people have actually heard of them. They are related to the Chinese Crested Dog, which is a far more popular breed. They are very rare dogs and are only found in a few parts of the world. The Manchurian Hairless has a very unique look due to its complete lack of hair.

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Article Sources:

1. “Dogs’ Aggressive Behaviour towards Humans Is Often Caused by Fear.” University of Helsinki, helsinki.fi/en/news/life-sciences/dogs-aggressive-behaviour-towards-humans-often-caused-fear.