Buddha's tame lion would "follow at his heels like a faithful dog," according to the legend. This giant dog looks like a lion, and the symbolism is not lost on fans of the breed. My expression is both regal and lordly, if not slightly snobbish. From shop FrannyBGoodPet. Often called the Lhasa Lion Dog, the Chrysanthemum Dog, the Chinese Lion Dog and the Chrysanthemum Faced Dog, the Shih Tzu happens to be an ancient dog breed that traces back all the way to 600A.D. The most common chinese lion dog material is metal. Shih Tzu means lion, and in Buddhist belief, there is an association between the lion and their Deity; thus, the dogs were bred in court. The most popular color? This gentle giant is very strong and could, in fact, protect his people from lion attacks. We were developed in China as multi-purpose working dogs. Probably the most well known lion-looking dog, the Chow Chow hails from ancient China. Compact and well-balanced in outlook, this breed has a lion-like appearance, being an epitome of dignity, boldness, and courage. In a somewhat circular story, then, the Han emperors bred a dog to make it look like a lion - a lion that acted like a dog. Sina Weibo / Via scmp.com The "lion" was really a Tibetan mastiff. Known by a host of names like the Peke, Pelchie Dog or Lion Dog, the Pekingese is an ancient toy breed, developed in the Western region of China. 5 out of 5 stars (2) 2 reviews $ 5.95. 8 Chinese Dog Breeds Some of the oldest dogs in existence, certain Chinese dog breeds date back for centuries. Legend says that purebreed Tibetan Mastiffs have “lion’s blood,” which is obviously not true, but it helps add to the mystique of this breed. Chinese Lion Dance Collar Charm for Dogs and Cats FrannyBGoodPet. There are 740 chinese lion dog for sale on Etsy, and they cost $34.64 on average. Chinese or Imperial guardian lions are a traditional Chinese architectural ornament. Common Name(s) Shih Tzu, Chinese Lion Dog, Chrysanthemum Dog, Chinese Shih Tzu . I’m an ancient, noble breed, lion-like in both heart and heroism. The People's Park Zoo in Luohe, Henan, made international headlines Thursday after Chinese newspapers reported the zoo was trying to disguise a dog as an African lion. From fluffy lap dogs and giant guardian breeds to hairless dogs and those covered in wrinkles, the Chinese have given us some of the most recognizable breeds in dogdom. Known for its beauty and happy disposition, the Shih Tzu is best suited to moderate to cool climates. According to Coren, the Chinese emperors of the Han Dynasty wanted to replicate the Buddha's experience of taming a wild lion, which symbolized passion and aggression. In fact, a zoo in China tried to pass a Tibetan mastiff as an African lion to its visitors! With Chinese New Year coming up on Feb 19, now is a perfect time to learn more about the amazing dog breeds that were developed in China. 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