12 Intriguing Chinese Dog Breeds and Their Fascinating Histories Explore diverse roles and rich history of these Chinese canine companions. By Christina Donnelly Christina Donnelly Christina Donnelly is a small animal expert focusing on dogs and writer with over 12 years of experience in animal welfare. She has volunteered for shelters and organizations, including the ASPCA and Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 05/30/25 Credit: The Spruce / Kristie Lee Dogs have been part of China's cultural narratives and art for over 7,000 years. They have served as guards, haulers, herders, hunters, and royal companions since their domestication. Chinese dog breeds range widely in type and size, from fluffy lapdogs like the Shih Tzu to wrinkled guard dogs like the familiar Shar-Pei and the lesser-known Kunming Wolfdog. Here are 12 breeds you might consider for your next canine companion. Tip All dogs have basic needs, such as food, shelter, exercise, and medical care, but don't overlook the emotional and social support they require. Without security, trust, and bonding, they may develop behavioral and health problems. 01 of 12 Pug Credit: The Spruce / Kristie Lee Pugs are popular family pets because of their sweet demeanor and manageable size. As one of the world's oldest breeds, they likely originated in China around 400 B.C. as companions to Tibetan Buddhist monks. Hypotheses swirl tying pugs to Tibetan mastiffs or the Pekingese, another Chinese breed. Once a mischievous companion of emperors, this loving pup warms hearts wherever it goes. Breed Overview Group: Toy (AKC)Height: 10 to 13 inchesWeight: 14 to 18 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Sweet, playful, affectionateEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Short, smooth coat; fawn or blackLife Span: 13 to 15 years 02 of 12 Pekingese Credit: Alan Shapiro / Getty Images 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 well-cared-for pet among Chinese royalty for thousands of years. Breed Overview Group: Toy (AKC)Height: 6 to 9 inchesWeight: Up to 14 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Good-natured, intelligent, stubbornEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Long, thick double coat with a lion-like mane; gold, sable, red, gray, black, tan, creamLife Span: 12 to 14 years 03 of 12 Shih Tzu Credit: Geri Lavrov / Getty Images The shih tzu, a small toy dog with a playful personality, is named for their lion-like appearance, and this is one of the most popular Chinese dog breeds. Their Chinese name comes from the word "lion." Like the Pekingese and pug, the shih tzu was treasured by Chinese nobility for centuries, and was considered the noble dog of China. The shih tzu can be traced back to ancient dog breeds. Today, they still boast a hypoallergenic coat, perfect for those with dog allergies. Breed Overview Group: Toy (AKC)Height: 8 to 11 inchesWeight: 9 to 16 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Intelligent, alert, playfulEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Long, double coat; numerous color variations, but most commonly in black, white, blue, gold, or liverLife Span: 10 to 16 years 04 of 12 Shar-Pei Credit: Paulo Hoeper / Getty Images 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-pei, meaning "sand skin," is a breed initially used for hunting and guarding 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. Breed Overview Group: Non-sporting (AKC)Height: 18 to 20 inchesWeight: 45 to 60 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Reserved, devoted, affectionateEnergy Level: LowCoat and Color: Short, bristle coat; black, chocolate, blue, and creamLife Span: 8 to 12 years Continue to 5 of 12 below 05 of 12 Chow Chow Credit: The Spruce / Kristie Lee Chow chows are among the most ancient Chinese dog breeds, with evidence of their existence dating back to 206 B.C. 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. These dogs are smart, protective, and independent. If you’re looking for a watchdog, this is a good choice. But if you’re looking for a dog that will bond with multiple people, the chow chow may disappoint, as they tend to bond with one person. Despite this, they can make good family pets, particularly in homes with older children. Breed Overview Group: Non-sporting (AKC)Height: 17 to 20 inchesWeight: 40 to 70 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Independent, calm, aloofEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Rough or smooth; black, blue, cinnamon, cream, or redLife Span: 10 to 12 years 06 of 12 Chinese Crested Credit: tsik / Getty Images Because the Chinese crested has extremely early origins, no one is exactly sure when or how this Chinese dog breed was developed. Some assume that hairless dogs from Africa were brought to China and bred with smaller, toy-sized dogs to give the crested a unique, hairless appearance. Chinese crested dogs were popular for use on Chinese trading vessels to hunt vermin. They’re friendly dogs and intelligent, so they are easy to train. Breed Overview Group: Toy (AKC)Height: 11 to 13 inchesWeight: 8 to 12 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Playful, social, cheerfulEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Soft, silky hair only on head, feet, and tail; grayish-pink skin; "powederpuff" variety has a silky coat with white and gray coloringLife Span: 13 to 18 years 07 of 12 Xiasi Credit: LauraKelsch / Wikimedia Commons / Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported The Xiasi, pronounced "she-ah-seh" is a lean, muscular hunting dog that originated in the Guizhou region of China, sometime around 1080. Although the breed is typically used for hunting or guarding, it is widely believed in the Guizhou province that owning a Xiasi dog can bring wealth to the family. These dogs have a prey drive, so they may not be suited to homes with smaller pets. However, they can be a good option for families with other dogs and children. Breed Overview Group: Not recognized by the AKCHeight: 17 to 20 inchesWeight: 45 to 65 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Gentle, devoted, affectionateEnergy Level: HighCoat and Color: Short, wiry coat; whiteLife Span: 12 to 14 years 08 of 12 Kunming Wolfdog Credit: Ryhor Bruyeu / Getty Images A wolf-dog hybrid, the Kunming wolfdog, is thought to be related to German shepherds introduced to China in the 1950s. This dog is sometimes called the Chinese German shepherd. Like German shepherds, Kunming wolfdogs are trained as military assistance dogs, fire dogs, and search-and-rescue. Named after the capital city of the Yunnan province, they're also a popular family dog throughout China. Breed Overview Group: Not recognized by the AKCHeight: 25 to 27 inchesWeight: 65 to 85 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Loyal, intelligent, protectiveEnergy Level: HighCoat and Color: Long, double coat; black, brown, rust, cream, and other color variationsLife Span: 12 to 14 years Continue to 9 of 12 below 09 of 12 Japanese Chin Credit: Heather Bensen / Getty Images Despite their name, the Japanese chin is believed to have originated in China. Closely related to Tibetan spaniels, they were likely a gift from the Chinese emperor to Japanese royalty. Known for their cat-like, calm, and affectionate behavior, the Japanese chin became extremely popular among Japanese nobility over 1,000 years ago. Later, when Japan began to trade with other countries, the Japanese chin was a traditional gift to naval officers or sold to traders and sailors. Breed Overview Group: Toy (AKC)Height: 8 to 11 inchesWeight: 7 to 11 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Independent, loyal, lovingEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Long and silky coat; black and white, lemon and white, sable and white, black, and other color variationsLife Span: 10 to 14 years 10 of 12 Formosan Mountain Dog (Taiwan Dogs) Credit: Corpse80719 / Getty Images Formosan mountain dogs or Taiwan dogs are one of the oldest and most primitive dog breeds in the world. The Formosan mountain dogs are small- to medium-sized dogs that hail from south Asian dog stock in the Taiwanese mountains. Although Formosan mountain dogs were once considered wild, this Chinese dog breed is now domesticated and used as hunting dogs, guard dogs, rescue dogs, and family dogs. Breed Overview Group: Primitive, hunting dog (FCI), not recognized by the AKCHeight: 17 to 20 inchesWeight: 25 to 40 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Intelligent, alert, loyalEnergy Level: HighCoat and Color: Short and smooth coat; black, fawn, brindle, white, and combinations of these colorsLife Span: 9 to 13 years 11 of 12 Chinese Imperial Credit: Tara Gregg / EyeEm / Getty Images Closely related to the shih tzu, the Chinese imperial dog is also known as a teacup or micro shih tzu. This is considered by many to be a separate Chinese breed, although not by the AKC, which calls them a small shih tzu. As the name implies, this was possibly another small companion dog kept by dynastic Chinese emperors. Breed Overview Group: Not recognized by the AKCHeight: 7 to 8 inchesWeight: 4 to 7 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Loving, outgoing, loyalEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Luxurious, long, dense coat; fluffy tail; fawn, brown, silver, white, black, piedLife Span: 10 to 15 years 12 of 12 Chinese Chongqing Credit: Markus Monroe / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Another interesting Chinese dog breed is the Chinese Chongqing, named after the city of Chongqing. This dog has a wrinkly face similar to a shar-pei, a signature look for many Chinese breeds. They're sometimes called the bamboo ratter due to their unusual tail that looks like a straight, slender, and hairless bamboo stick. This hunting and guardian dog breed is rare in modern China but still exists in some rural areas. It is believed to have first appeared 2,000 years ago during the Han dynasty in southwestern China. Breed Overview Group: Not recognized by the AKCHeight: 14 to 17 inchesWeight: 44 to 54 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Courageous, independent, loyalEnergy Level: HighCoat and Color: Short, flat, sparse, and harsh coat; deep brown or mahoganyLife Span: 10 to 15 years Breed Characteristics Chinese dog 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. Breeds to Avoid If you're in love with Chinese dog breeds, then you may not be as interested in floppy-eared hound-type breeds or giant breeds like Great Danes or Newfoundlands. Most Chinese dog breeds were lapdogs for royalty, and others served as lion-looking guardians. Fu dog statues are Chinese protection symbols that typically “guard” the entranceways to buildings and homes. Even though they're called "dogs," they depict lions. 11 Fascinating Japanese Dog Breeds to Discover FAQ Are Chinese dog breeds hypoallergenic? Some breeds like the Shih Tzu are known for having a hypoallergenic coat, which might be beneficial for those with allergies. However, not all Chinese breeds share this characteristic. What is the average lifespan of Chinese dog breeds? Lifespans among Chinese dog breeds vary, with some like the Chinese Crested living up to 18 years, while others such as the Shar-Pei typically live 8 to 12 years. Which Chinese dog breed is suitable for small living spaces? Breeds like the Pug and Pekingese are typically suited for apartment living due to their size and temperament. Explore more: Dogs Dog Breeds