13 Chinese Dog Breeds: From Ancient Palace Companions to Rare Mountain Guardians
October 10, 2026
More than a dozen dog breeds trace their bloodlines back to China, and several rank among the most recognizable companions in American living rooms today. Chinese dog breeds range from the flat-faced Pug once guarded by palace soldiers to the towering Tibetan Mastiff that still watches over Himalayan monasteries. Every dog on this list is a domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), yet each breed carries its own distinct look, temperament, and story shaped by thousands of years of Chinese history.
Few countries have such a strong history with dogs as China, where the relationship between people and their canine companions has been tied together for more than 7,000 years. That long partnership produced everything from wrinkled guard dogs bred for peasant farms to silky-coated lapdogs reserved for emperors. This guide walks through 13 Chinese dog breeds, covering their backgrounds, personalities, and what U.S. owners should expect before bringing one home.
| Breed | Size | Coat Type | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pug | Small | Short | Affectionate lap dog |
| Chinese Crested Dog | Small | Hairless or Powderpuff | Two coat varieties in one litter |
| Chow Chow | Medium-Large | Thick double coat | Lion-like mane, blue tongue |
| Shar-Pei | Medium | Short, bristly | Deep facial wrinkles |
| Pekingese | Small | Long | Royal lion-dog heritage |
| Shih Tzu | Small | Long, silky | Friendly first-time-owner breed |
| Chongqing Dog | Medium | Short | Bamboo-stick tail |
| Tibetan Mastiff | Large | Thick double coat | Livestock and monastery guardian |
| Tibetan Terrier | Medium | Long, shaggy | Monastery companion, therapy work |
| Lhasa Apso | Small | Long, flowing | Sacred monastery watchdog |
| Xiasi Dog | Small-Medium | Wiry | Rare, terrier-like hunter |
| Formosan Mountain Dog (Taiwan Dog) | Medium | Short, hard | Ancient primitive hunting dog |
| Kunming Dog | Large | Double coat | Police and military working dog |
1. Pug
The Pug is a well-known Chinese dog breed that is easily recognized thanks to its flat face, short coat, and curly tail, and it earned an affectionate personality that made it popular with Chinese emperors. The Pug Dog Club of America notes the dogs were so highly prized that they were sometimes guarded by soldiers. Alongside the classic fawn coat, the Pug also comes in solid black, making it one of the more recognizable small black dog breeds for apartment dwellers who want a low-maintenance companion.
The pint-sized Pug makes a great apartment dog breed because it has lower-than-average exercise requirements and can be satisfied with a short walk or indoor play. That said, its short muzzle means hot, humid summers common across much of the United States call for extra caution and shaded, air-conditioned rest breaks.
Pro Tip: Keep Pugs on the lean side. Their flat faces already make breathing harder in heat and humidity, and extra weight only adds strain on their airways and joints.
2. Chinese Crested Dog
The Chinese Crested Dog is a hairless breed of dog that comes in two varieties, hairless and powderpuff, which can be born in the same litter. It’s considered an extra small breed, weighing on average 10 to 13 pounds and standing 11 to 13 inches tall, with a fine-boned frame, almond-shaped eyes, and large, erect ears. There is no official color standard for the breed, so coats and skin tones vary widely from pink and bronze to solid black.
Despite the name, historians debate whether this breed truly originated on the Chinese mainland. Many believe Chinese merchant sailors carried the dogs aboard ships to control rodent populations, which is how the “Chinese” name stuck. Because it sheds so little hair, it’s often grouped with other low-shedding dog breeds that suit owners with allergies.
3. Chow Chow
The Chow Chow follows the Chinese lion-dog tradition and traces back to the 11th century BC, making it one of the oldest living dog breeds in the world today. Its original purpose was as an all-round farm dog, and it could be found hunting, herding, pulling, and guarding, which is why it still shows up on lists of capable herding dog breeds even though most modern Chow Chows live as companions.
The breed comes in five AKC-recognized solid colors, including a striking solid black, and that lion-like mane and blue-black tongue have made it one of the more popular black dog breeds with Chinese roots. Its independent, sometimes aloof personality means Chow Chows do best with owners who invest early in socialization and consistent training.
Common Mistake: Mistaking a Chow Chow’s natural reserve for aggression. Most Chow Chows are simply dignified and selective about affection, not hostile, but they do need structured introductions to new people and pets.
4. Shar-Pei
Also known as the Chinese fighting dog, the Shar-Pei has been praised for its courage and tenaciousness but is known today mostly for the loose folds of bristly skin covering its face, neck, and often its whole body; Shar-Pei is Cantonese for “sandy skin,” and the breed originated near Guangzhou in Guangdong Province. Clay statues from the Han Dynasty depict shar-pei-like dogs, showing just how far back this wrinkled look goes.
The Shar-Pei was not an imperial breed; it was associated mostly with peasants, who used the dogs for herding livestock, hunting, and protection, and it has traditionally been a big dog. Shar-Pei were originally not trained to fight, but were forced into the sport when dog fighting became popular roughly a hundred years ago. This gives the Shar-Pei some classic black dog breed characteristics seen across several Chinese natives, even though its coat also comes in fawn, cream, and red.
The breed nearly disappeared in the mid-20th century, and conservation efforts by dedicated breeders brought it back from the edge of extinction, a history shared by other rarest dog breeds that owe their survival to small, committed breeding groups.
5. Pekingese
Named after Peking, the old name for Beijing, the Pekingese dog dates back to 700 C.E., and according to legend these dogs are thought to be shrunken lions due to their resemblance to the Fu Dog statues found around the country. Originally, only royals were allowed to own them, and the punishment for stealing one was death; that self-important attitude is still present in the breed today.
The Shih Tzu and Pekingese in particular were bred to serve as companions for Chinese royalty and nobility, embodying qualities like loyalty and good fortune. Their long, flowing double coat needs regular brushing to prevent matting, which is why many owners researching long-haired dog breeds land on the Pekingese fairly quickly.
6. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is one of the most popular Chinese dogs, and its name is borrowed from the Chinese language and means lion. Today it’s considered one of the better breeds for first-time dog owners in the United States because it’s easy to train, adaptable, and friendly, typically weighing between 9 and 16 pounds with a long lifespan.
Like other small, flat-faced Chinese natives, Shih Tzus can struggle with breathing, crowded teeth, and knee problems, so daily face-fold cleaning and gentle exercise go a long way. Anyone comparing small companion dogs alongside the teacup dog breeds category will notice the Shih Tzu is sturdier than most toy breeds while still fitting comfortably into apartment life.
Important Note: Flat-faced breeds like the Pug, Pekingese, and Shih Tzu are prone to brachycephalic airway issues. Watch for loud snoring, exercise intolerance, or bluish gums, and talk with a veterinarian if you notice any of these signs.
7. Chongqing Dog
The Chongqing is a rare breed of dog from China, notable for its short muzzle, stocky build, and “bamboo stick” tail; it’s naturally protective of its family due to strong guarding instincts, so early socialization matters, though it can be friendly with strangers while some individuals remain somewhat aloof.
The breed’s short, coarse coat comes in solid red or black, and its rarity outside China means most American owners will only encounter one through a dedicated importer or breed enthusiast. If you’re drawn to uncommon, historically significant dogs, the Chongqing sits comfortably alongside the other rarest dog breeds that rarely show up in mainstream shelters.
8. Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is a large Tibetan dog breed with a double coat, medium to long depending on climate, found in a wide variety of colors including solid black, black and tan, shades of red, and bluish-gray, sometimes with white markings around the neck, chest, and legs. Male Tibetan Mastiffs typically weigh 90 to 150 pounds, while females weigh 70 to 120 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club, making it one of the true large black dog breeds among Chinese natives.
Instinctive pack behaviors helped the breed survive in harsh environments, and it’s one of the few primitive dog breeds that retains a single estrus cycle per year instead of two. That guarding instinct is exactly why owners researching most dangerous dog breeds lists often find the Tibetan Mastiff mentioned, though most incidents trace back to poor socialization rather than inherent aggression.
Key Insight: A Tibetan Mastiff’s guarding instincts are bred, not trained. Early, consistent exposure to people and other animals matters far more with this breed than with more biddable companion breeds.
9. Tibetan Terrier
The Tibetan Terrier isn’t actually a terrier at all; European travelers gave it that name because they thought the breed resembled the terriers back home. Referred to as “the holy dog of Tibet,” this Chinese dog was bred to protect Tibet’s ancient monasteries, and today it thrives on human contact, making it a popular choice for therapy work.
Its shaggy, double-layered coat sheds moderately and needs frequent brushing to stay tangle-free, a trait that puts it in the same conversation as other long-haired dog breeds that need a real grooming commitment. Despite its monastery-guardian past, the modern Tibetan Terrier is closer to an affectionate family companion than a serious watchdog.
10. Lhasa Apso
This Chinese dog breed dates back thousands of years and was originally used to protect Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayas; the Lhasa Apso is thought to be one of China’s most sacred breeds and was only permitted to leave the country when gifted by the Dalai Lama as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Its long, flowing outer coat covers a dense undercoat, giving the Lhasa Apso a regal look that mirrors its ceremonial history. Owners often trim the coat short for easier at-home care, though show dogs keep the full-length flowing coat associated with the breed’s monastery origins.
11. Xiasi Dog
Pronounced “she-ah-seh,” the Xiasi has a wiry coat and an almost terrier-like appearance; though bred to hunt, it makes a great pet because it’s incredibly loyal and affectionate. Reports differ on when the Xiasi first appeared, with some sources pointing to 202 B.C. and others to around 1080 A.D.
There are very few Xiasi dogs left, and in 1999 the breed was considered critically endangered; in the Guizhou province, some believe that having a Xiasi can bring a family wealth. Because the breed is so scarce outside a handful of villages in Guizhou Prefecture, prospective American owners are unlikely to find one through typical adoption channels.
Pro Tip: If a rare Chinese breed like the Xiasi or Chongqing Dog interests you, work only with breed-specific rescue groups or verified importers rather than unfamiliar online sellers, since scarcity makes these breeds a target for scams.
12. Formosan Mountain Dog (Taiwan Dog)
Taiwan Dogs have been genetically traced back between 10,000 and 20,000 years, making them one of the oldest and most primitive dog breeds in the world. Its color can range from black to earthy yellow or yellowish-brown, the nose is black, and black coating on the tongue is one of the most distinguishing traits of the breed.
Bred by Taiwan’s indigenous peoples as an all-purpose hunting and guard dog, the Formosan Mountain Dog remains agile, alert, and fiercely loyal to its family. Its friendly, trainable nature toward people it knows makes it one of the more approachable black dog breeds for families who want an active, primitive-type companion rather than a purely decorative lapdog.
13. Kunming Dog
The Kunming Dog is a wolf-dog breed of working dog developed in Kunming, China in the 1950s from German Shepherds hybridized with local village dogs. The breed has two recognized coat-color populations: one displays black and yellow coloring across the whole body, while the other has a black back with yellow on the abdomen and limbs.
A 2024 study described the Chinese Kunming Dog as a working breed widely used by the army, customs, and police in China. It’s rarely kept as a household pet in the United States, since its high drive and working-dog temperament are best matched to experienced handlers or dedicated working homes rather than typical suburban life.
From tiny, flat-faced companions like the Pug and Shih Tzu to imposing guardians like the Tibetan Mastiff, Chinese dog breeds cover an unusually wide range of sizes, coats, and personalities for dogs sharing a single country of origin. Anyone drawn to this history might also enjoy comparing native breeds from other regions, such as the primitive types found among Mexican dog breeds, to see how geography and culture shape a nation’s dogs. For a broader look at the full list of native breeds covered here, the Chinese dog breeds guide is a good next stop before deciding which one belongs in your home.