6 Chinese Dog Breeds

Did you know that some of the U.S.’s most popular dog breeds originated in China? While there are commonalities between some of these Chinese dogs (some breeds share features such as flat faces or blue tongues), each breed is different, and one might be better for you than the rest.

Here are some Chinese dog breeds to consider bringing home.

1. Pug

The Pug is a well-known Chinese dog breed that is easily recognized thanks to their flat face, short coat, and curly tail. Pugs have an affectionate personality, which made these dogs popular with Chinese emperors. In fact, they were so highly prized that the Pug Dog Club of America says the dogs were sometimes guarded by soldiers. 

The pint-sized Pug makes a great apartment dog breed because these dogs have lower-than-average exercise requirements and can be satisfied with a short walk or indoor play.

But life with these popular Chinese dogs comes with a few tradeoffs: Pugs can have a lot of health problems due to their flat face, including brachycephalic airway syndrome.

2. Chinese Crested

It’s questionable whether the Chinese Crested actually originated in China. Nevertheless, these dogs are often known as a Chinese hairless dog breed because of their popularity on Chinese merchant ships, where it’s thought that they were used to control rodent populations.

There are two varieties of the Chinese Crested: the hairless type with a tuft of hair adorning the head, tail, and feet, and the powderpuff type that has long, silky hair covering the entire body. A litter of Chinese Crested puppies can include both coat varieties.

Regardless of coat type, the Chinese Crested is known for being friendly and affectionate with moderate energy needs. 

3. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is one of the most popular Chinese dogs. The name is borrowed from the Chinese language and means lion. While other Chinese dog breeds were gifted to foreign dignitaries, the Shih Tzu remained the sole treasure of China until the 12th century. 

Today, the Shih Tzu is considered one of the best breeds for first-time dog parents because they are easy to train, adaptable, and friendly dogs. They’re also small, usually weighing between 9 and 16 pounds, and have a long lifespan of up to 18 years.  

4. Chinese Shar-Pei

The Chinese Shar-Pei is a Chinese dog breed recognizable for having loose skin folds on the face, neck, and shoulders. The breed has an early history that dates back more than 2,000 years to the southern provinces of China. 

The Chinese Shar-Pei shares a few traits with another big Chinese dog breed: the Chow Chow. Namely, both have a blue-black tongue and a smart but independent personality that requires an experienced dog parent and consistent positive reinforcement training.

However, the Chinese Shar-Pei has only moderate energy needs and is usually content with a few short walks each day. 

5. Pekingese

The Pekingese is a small dog breed characterized by a long and flowy coat, flat face, and stout build. These dogs are typically very attached to their favorite human and are well-known for being affectionate, but they’re also quite vocal.

Pekingese don’t hesitate to bark, which was a desirable trait in the breed’s early history when they were used as tiny guard dogs in the imperial palaces of ancient China. Like other brachycephalic dogs, the Pekingese is prone to snoring and overheating. 

6. Chow Chow

A big Chinese dog breed, the Chow Chow looks like a lion thanks to a thick ruff of hair around the neck and shoulders. Though loyal to their family, Chow Chows are independent dogs that aren’t particularly cuddly. Instead, they prefer to be near you.

The Chow Chow has ancient origins in China. It’s unclear exactly how the breed came about, but they were relied on for centuries as guardians, hunters, and companions.