{"id":7431,"date":"2018-10-18T05:21:22","date_gmt":"2018-10-18T05:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blog.thatsmandarin.com\/?p=7431"},"modified":"2021-05-05T10:31:53","modified_gmt":"2021-05-05T10:31:53","slug":"top-5-popular-dog-breeds-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/api.thatsmandarin.com\/blog\/top-5-popular-dog-breeds-china\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Most Popular Dog Breeds in China"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\tDogs in China are getting really popular \u2014 almost every Chinese family now owns a cute dog!
\nHaving a dog is becoming a lifestyle. You\u00a0will notice\u00a0tiny white or brown puddles on every corner.<\/p>\n

So, what are the most popular breeds people choose?<\/strong><\/p>\n

And what do\u00a0they call them in Chinese?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let’s explore the top 5 most popular dog breeds in this article.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

#1: Puddle<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been to China, you’ve probably noticed puddles on the streets. They are so cute, tiny and fluffy!<\/p>\n

Puddles\u00a0can be white, grey or black, but the most common is a brown puddle.<\/p>\n

Chinese name for a puddle is \u8d35\u5bbe\u72ac (gu\u00ecb\u012bnqu\u01cen)<\/strong>, which\u00a0literally translates as \u201ca distinguished dog\u201d. But Chinese people also have\u00a0a nickname for these cuties. They call them \u6cf0\u8fea (t\u00e0id\u00ed)<\/strong>, which is a calque from\u00a0the English word \u201cteddy\u201d, like a \u201cteddy bear\u201d. These dogs, with their soft fur and cute muzzles, look like cute little toys. No wonder they are so popular!<\/p>\n

Puddles are extremely intelligent and easy to train. You can buy a little teddy bear like that at any pet shop in China, and the price is really cheap\u00a0– around 2000 yuan or less. That\u2019s a low price for a dog! And this might be one of the reasons why they are so popular now.<\/p>\n

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#2:\u00a0Bichon Frise<\/h2>\n

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The second most popular breed in China is that white cuteness with a head that looks like a dandelion. It is so furry and fuzzy, you almost get a feeling as if a little wind can blow it away. It\u2019s Bichon Frise dog, or \u6bd4\u718a (b\u01d0xi\u00f3ng)<\/strong>, which is\u00a0a loanword from English \u2014 so it\u2019s so easy to remember. They are intelligent and well-behaved, but it\u2019s difficult to keep them white and clean, especially in a rainy weather. It’s really worth the effort though!<\/p>\n

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#3\uff1aCorgi<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Then comes, of course, one of the most popular dog breeds all over the word. With the help of social networks,\u00a0corgis (\u67ef\u57fa k\u0113j\u012b)<\/strong> have become famous all over the globe for their cuteness, funny muzzle\u00a0\u2014 and, of course,\u00a0their butt! If you ever get a chance to browse Taobao for the key word ‘corgi’, you’ll see lots of corgi-shaped merchandise: hair clips, pajamas, bags. Chinese people find\u00a0them adorable, and it’s impossible to disagree.<\/p>\n

Many places sell corgis. The price is relatively low for such a popular breed: around 4000 yuan. Quite cheap, isn’t it?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

#4: Golden Retriever<\/h2>\n

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When it comes to larger dog breeds, the most popular one is, of course, the golden retriever (\u91d1\u6bdb j\u012bnm\u00e1o)<\/strong>. Their Chinese name can be translated as \u201cgolden fur\u201d. Makes sense! Their fur shines so bright in the sun, it\u2019s easy to believe that it\u2019s made from pure gold! They\u2019re also very smart and obedient.<\/p>\n

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#5: French Bulldog<\/h2>\n

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If you want an exotic and strong dog, French bulldog<\/strong> is your best choice. They are very popular among Chinese people, especially among the younger generation (while the elderly prefer puddles or bichons).<\/p>\n

Bulldog’s official name in China is \u6cd5\u56fd\u6597\u725b\u72ac (f\u01cegu\u00f3 d\u00f2uni\u00faqu\u01cen)<\/strong>. It\u2019s easy to understand and remember, because \u6cd5\u56fd\u00a0f\u01cegu\u00f3 means \u201cFrance’ or ‘French\u201d, \u6597\u725b\u00a0d\u00f2uni\u00fa means \u201cbullfight\u201d, and \u72ac qu\u01cen means \u201cdog\u201d\u00a0\u2014 the last one being a\u00a0more scientific word for \u72d7 (g\u01d2u), used in official breed names.<\/p>\n

But Chinese people have a shorter name for it. They call them \u6cd5\u6597 (f\u01ced\u00f2u)<\/strong>,\u00a0which is easier to pronounce.<\/p>\n

This breed is quite expensive; the price is about 5000 yuan.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bonus:\u00a0China-Native Breed<\/h2>\n

There is one more breed that originated in China. Guess which one?<\/p>\n

It’s the Pekingese!<\/strong>\u00a0This ancient breed of toy dogs, also called \u201clion dogs\u201d (\u72ee\u5b50\u72ac sh\u012bziqu\u01cen) for their fur, resembles a lion\u2019s mane\u00a0\u2014 and looks like Chinese guardian lions.<\/p>\n

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Pekignese dogs’ official name is \u4eac\u5df4\u72d7 (j\u012bngb\u0101g\u01d2u)<\/strong>, but they are also called \u5317\u4eac\u72d7 (b\u011bij\u012bngg\u01d2u)<\/strong>,\u00a0because they were a luxury enjoyed only by China’s\u00a0royal\u00a0family in Beijing. They first appeared in Europe, when Western armies pillaged the Summer Palace in Beijing and stole several of the royal\u2019s dogs during the second opium war in the late 1850s. The breed has changed to be an exotic luxury and were favorite at dog shows.<\/p>\n

But\u00a0today Pekingese dogs are\u00a0a rare breed in China. There are only a few buyers for this breed. So there almost no pure local Pekingeses left now, and if you want to buy one, the only option is a crossbreed foreign dog. It’s a bit sad that\u00a0a dog with such aristocratic background\u00a0is no longer popular\u00a0in the country of its origin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bonus:\u00a0Just A Few More<\/h2>\n

Because of China\u2019s large population, it’s very expensive to buy an apartment, especially in big cities. Very few people can afford to buy a large apartment or a house where they can keep a large dog; that\u2019s why small breeds are so popular in China.<\/p>\n

Apart from those top 5 breeds we mentioned in this article, you will\u00a0notice 3 more small breeds: chihuahua, pomeranian<\/strong> and maltese<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t