The Year Of The Dog (A Dog Fancier’s View)

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 . di
rectory 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.