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DOGS BY BREED :: CHINESE FOO DOG
Chinese Foo Dog
Origins
The Chinese Foo originates from China and was bred originally for guarding Buddhist temples. It's origins can be dated back to Antiquity. It now has three sizes, however this page deals only with the large Chinese Foo Dog. The naming of this dog is highly significant to the Buddhist religion. The Chinese Foo resembles the looks of the lion which is a sacred animal to Buddhists. The Chinese word for Buddha is Fo, which led to the original name - the Dog of Fo. Dog Name Facts and Dog Names: The Chinese Foo is also known by the other names of the Sacred Dog of Sinkiang, the Chinese Choo Hunting Dog, the Chinese Temple Forest Dog, the Chinese T'ien Kou (Chinese Celestial Dog) and the Chinese Lung- Kou (Chinese Dragon Dog). This dog is classified as one of the Working Dog Group which we go on to describe in detail in the section at the bottom of this page.
The Chinese Foo is not currently Registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club) and is therefore in the category of dogs we have termed Unrecognised & Rare Breeds.
Character and Temperament
Working dogs, like the Chinese Foo, are medium to giant size and are strong, often independent, domineering and difficult to manage. This, together with the immense sizes of many of the breeds, make many of the working dogs unsuitable as a normal family pet or first time dog owners. These dogs require firm control and must be properly trained. Formal obedience training should include a proper socialising program. Training need not be difficult as Working dog breeds are generally quick to learn and intelligent. Some of the working dog breeds are easier to handle such as the Newfoundland dog, the Portuguese Water Dog, the Samoyed and the Saint Bernard.
Coat and Colors information
The Chinese Foo's coat is normally any shade of black, black and tan, blue, brown and blue, cream and sable, fawn, orange, red , sable and grey with some white markings. The outer coat is coarse, straight-haired with a soft, dense, woolly undercoat.
Health: Potential Problems
All owners of dogs and puppies are concerned about the health care of their pets and just as with humans dog health issues arise from time to time. Resolving dog health problems, including those of the Chinese Foo, can prove to be costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining dog health insurance. Diseases in dogs may occur because of trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors, or degenerative conditions. Common health problems and questions occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears, Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune & Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. There are no apparent common health problems with the Chinese Foo Dog.
Grooming and Care
The Chinese Foo requires weekly care and grooming. All dog breeds require a certain amount of grooming and care is necessary to keep dogs and puppies looking at their best. Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and nails. A regular routine also ensures that any potential health problems are identified as quickly as possible, especially important in puppies and older Chinese Foo dogs.
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy for this particular breed is 10 Ð 12 years.
Age Comparison with a Human
Age comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of debate - we hope that the following information clarifies the situation. After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to sixteen human years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine a dog's age.
The Pictures reflect the Size of Adults - not Children and Puppies!
The pictures above allow for a useful comparison of sizes providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average Chinese Foo - essential information but unique to this site. It should also be noted that the pictures feature adults. The size of puppies are naturally considerably smaller and the full grown size of the animal can easily be forgotten when confronted with cute puppies! The slogan " A dog isn't just for Christmas - it's for life!" was necessitated by well meaning people buying puppies at the Christmas, unaware of the puppies growth rate. The pictures provided make it extremely clear exactly how small puppies will develop and whether it will suit the life and living conditions of the family.
Working Dog Breed Information
Dogs in the Working group, which include the Chinese Foo, were developed to perform a wide variety of tasks, such as pulling, hauling, herding, hunting, rescuing and guarding. The very nature of many of these tasks require a big, strong dog. These dogs have a long and close association with man and have provided invaluable help to their owners. The working dogs are generally large, intelligent, and protective of their masters. Working dogs have always been viewed as real assets to their owners and have worked with man replacing larger animals such as horses when none such animals were available. Advanced technology and machinery have negated some of the working requirements of these dogs but strength, courage and a fast reactions ensure that this partnership will continue long into the future.
Working Dog Breed Duties and Tasks
Characteristics and features of Working Dogs have been introduced and strengthened by breeding with animals who already demonstrated the desired traits. Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century. Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits helpful for the duties they were intended for. Thus, the various Working breeds, including the Chinese Foo, were introduced to help man according to his specific requirements such as:
- Guarding premises
- Herding or Droving various animals including cattle and reindeer
- Pulling or hauling various vehicles such as carts and sleds
- Hunting which could range from all kinds of smaller animals to big game including lions and tigers
- Performing water and mountain rescues
In this day and age not every Chinese Foo might be called to undertake these tasks, but nevertheless, they still harbour the skills and characteristics that made the original Chinese Foo breeding program successful. Many of the Working dogs group are still gainfully employed as:
- Guard Dogs
- Police dogs
- Sled dogs
- Rescue dogs
