The Year Of The Dog

The Chinese New Year started on January 29th, 2006 (or Year 4703 by the Chinese calendar) and is the Year of the Dog. The cycle repeats every 12 years and previously occurred in1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, and 2006. People born in the Year of the Dog are said to possess the best of humanity’s traits. They are said to be loyal, honest, generous and inspire confidence because they keep secrets. Dog people are charismatic and make good leaders but they have sharp tongues and can be somewhat selfish, stubborn and eccentric. To the Chinese, dogs represent justice, equality and generosity, and dogs are prepared to sacrifice themselves for those they love. Dogs are fiercely loyal and will jump to the defense of any family member who is threatened. This sounds like a Boxer dog I know – including the stubborn part.

Famous dog people include: Benjamin Franklin, Robert Louis Stephenson, Bridgette Bardot, Sophia Loren, Elvis Presley, Jacques Cousteau, Mother Theresa and Jane Goodall.

While celebrating Chinese New Years, I started wondering how many dogs were Chinese. The Chinese have contributed a lot to society and were responsible for developing a number of dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club including the: Chinese Crested, Chow Chow, Japanese Chin, Pekingese, Pug, Shar Pei and the Shih Tzu. Can you think of any others? I know Tibet is technically part of China and I left out the Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Spaniel and Tibetan Terrier. However I was looking at this from a longer term historical perspective and I still am not politically onside with the annexation of Tibet. I have provided a brief history of these dog breeds below. Additional information on these dog breeds can be found in our directory of breed of dogs.

1. The Chinese Crested dog breed is unique looking with a hairless body not unlike a Chinese pigtail. The origin of the breed is under debate but, since it bears such a resemblance to the Mexican Hairless dog found in South America, it was thought Chinese sailors may have brought its ancestors back to China where it was developed. Both Hairless and Powder Puff varieties can be found in the same litter and the two Crested varieties are often interbred. The Crested has evolved to be a perfect apartment dog.

2. The Chow Chow is an exotic Spitz-type dog with a blue black tongue and a stilted gait. It is also known as the Tartar Dog or the Chinese Spitz. With its heavy coat, the breed probably originated in Mongolia or Siberia before being introduced into China. The Chow is one of the oldest of dog breeds and its origins are said to date back to 150 BC. The Chinese developed the breed as a guard dog, sled dog and as a hunting dog for aristocrats. Unfortunately it later became a source of both food and fur. In the early 1880’s the Chinese emperor was said to have a kennel of more than 2500 pairs of Chow Chows. It was at this time that the breed was first exported to England and America.

3. The Japanese Chin is a lively and entertaining toy dog breed with a short and very wide muzzle. Japanese Chins actually originated in China and are probably descended from the Tibetan Spaniel and related to the Pug, Pekingese and Shih Tzu. The breed was introduced to Japan over 2,500 years ago and became a favorite of the Japanese Imperial Court. Chins were introduced to the U.S. and Great Britain in the 1850’s by Admiral Perry.

4. The Pekingese is a regal small toy dog breed characterized by a lion-like appearance. The Pekingese seems to date back to the 9th century in China. Ownership of the Peke was restricted to members of the Chinese Imperial Court and they were considered sacred by the Chinese Tang dynasty. The breed was brought back to England in 1860 when British troops occupied the Peking Summer Palace during the Second Opium War. Pekes were shown in England in the 1890’s and were recognized in the U.S. in 1909.

5. The Pug is of Chinese origin and its development seems to pre-date the Christian era. This cheerful toy dog breed was highly prized by the Emperors of China and lived a pampered existence even being guarded by soldiers. Dutch traders brought the Pugs to Holland in the 16th century where it underwent further refinement. The Pug was extremely popular in the European courts right up to Victorian times.

6. The Shar-Pei or Chinese Shar-Pei is an ancient and exotic baggily wrinkled dog breed. Its name means sandpaper or sharkskin in Chinese and refers to its bristly coat. The Shar-Pei existed for many years in the Chinese southern provinces and statues resembling this breed have been dated to the Han Dynasty around 200 B.C. This breed almost disappeared when the Chinese Communist government sharply increased the dog tax in 1947 and the dog population of China was almost eliminated. This breed survived in Hong Kong, Taiwan and British Columbia, Canada.

7. The Shih Tzu is an exotic, playful and energetic toy dog breed. The origins of the Shih Tzu are somewhat obscure but it is probably descended from the Tibetan (Lion Dogs) which were sent to China around 1650 as a present from the Grand Lamas. Its flowing mane is probably responsible for its name which means (Lion Dog) in Chinese. The breed survived in the Chinese Imperial court until the Communist government took over in 1947 when it became extinct in China. Prior to this, seven breeding pairs of Shih Tzu were imported to England and Norway and constituted the entire gene pool. In the late 1940’s, returning military personnel brought back this new breed to the US where it has become extremely popular.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! from all the Chinese dog breeds.