The Chinese Foo Dog is one of obscurity and rarity. These bright-eyed, Chow Chow-looking pups have certainly made an impression. After all, they have the adorable, bear-like look and hunting background of the Chow Chow without the sometimes-unpredictable temperament.

One thing is for sure, these dogs would make exceptional companions worldwide, should the breed ever grow. Let’s get to know a little bit more about this rare dog.

Breed Overview

The Chinese Foo might seem like they’re being rooted in legend, and it is these dogs that were actually named after the lion-like statues that have been a Chinese symbol for thousands of years. While the two share the same place of origin, they are quite different in both looks and liveliness.

The Chinese Foo is still relatively rare and unheard of in many places around the world. In fact, it’s so rare that you need help finding information about them in the States. But don’t worry! We’ve done our research and we would love to tell you about them.

Chinese Foo Dog Characteristics

Chinese Foo Puppies

If you’re looking for a Chinese Foo puppy, you might come up short. These dogs are virtually unheard of in the United States and have no viable numbers to mention. However, if you live in or close to China, you might be in luck.

These dogs are semi popular as household pets and would be much easier to come by in their native land. Because of the substantial size of a Chinese Foo, puppies will grow quickly and impress you every day with their strength.

The puppies tend to be a little more reserved and focused than other puppies as they are built to learn. Not to mention how absolutely adorable these dogs are! As puppies they look like little fluffy bears and you won’t be able to get enough kisses!

Chinese Foo Dog Origin & History

It is uncertain exactly how old the breed is. What is known is that they seem to be a mix between a Chow Chow and a Spitz-type dog. However, they have long since been considered a good luck charm and were named after the lion-dog statues used to guard Buddhist temples in China, and the dogs themselves were often used for the same purpose. Today, they are generally a family pet in their native land.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Chinese Foo Dog 🧠

The Chinese Foo is known for being very active, comical, and alert. They are on their A-game at all times. They are constantly aware of their surroundings and will absolutely not hesitate to intervene if they know their family member is in trouble.

For this reason, they make fantastic guard dogs that can truly protect a family. They won’t simply alert you and let you do all the work. They are going to respond in the event of a threat.

While this can be extremely excellent for people who need a guard dog, it can also be problematic for more social families. If this dog is not properly socialized, they can pick up a lot of bad habits. If they are constantly aloof to strangers, it can eventually lead to aggression and even biting.

However, when these dogs are well socialized, they tend to have a very strong sense of judgment and take command very well from owners. But this dog is generally not a good choice for first-time dog owners.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Chinese Foo can make an amazing family pet if it is socialized properly. If one of these dogs is unsocialized, it might be very unsure of other people who enter the home.

This can prove to be very problematic when your children have friends over or you invite company. However, since they’re so intelligent, you can usually break this issue with proper socialization and training.

These dogs tend to know more than others exactly who is a member of their pack. They protect their families with the utmost loyalty. They will never leave your side, so they are ideal companions for growing families.

Because of their size and strength, they do best with children over 6 years. They might be a little too rough and tumble for seniors as well.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Chinese Foo can get along OK with other dogs when they are properly socialized. However, because of their territorial nature, getting along with strange pets can be challenging.

We only recommend this dog if they are an addition to an existing family rather than adding a new dog to a home with a Chinese Foo that is already set in their ways. While these dogs typically don’t show aggression, they can be very dominating and might try to rule the roost with another dog around.

When it comes to smaller pets, including cats, these dogs might not be the best playmates. They tend to have a decently high prey drive and are territorial. They might not take too kindly to the cat coming up and eating food out of their food bowl or some other feline shenanigans.

However, that’s not to say that they can’t sometimes get along with the household cat. If your Chinese Foo is raised with a cat, they will probably accept that cat into the pack, even if they don’t share that same sentiment towards any other feline.

Things to Know When Owning a Chinese Foo Dog:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Chinese Foo will need a high-quality, protein-rich recipe to nourish their overall bodies. You should always buy a formula dedicated to a particular life stage. The nutrients that they need when they are puppies, adults, and seniors vary quite a bit, so it is important to feed them appropriate recipes that can nourish their overall health.

If your dog has any particular allergies, they might require a different recipe than a standard dog with no known allergies. Elimination diets are usually put in place to try to correct the issue. Luckily, the Chinese Foo isn’t too famous for having food-related sensitivities, so this shouldn’t be an issue for most dogs of this breed.

Exercise 🐕

Your Chinese Foo dog will need quite a bit of exercise, but they are manageable. We like to think that these dogs have a moderate activity level, making them compatible with many different lifestyles. On average, these dogs could use between 45 minutes to 1 hour of exercise per day. They will love taking walks, going out in rain or shine, and they will especially love when it snows.

They could work very well for families with normal, active lifestyles. Because of their thick coats, they are well-equipped for the outdoors. You might find that a Chinese Foo loves nothing more than to be out in nature. For this reason, it’s best that you have a home with a large fenced-in backyard so they can run around and play. These dogs will enjoy long walks and other fun outdoor activities.

However, they basically love any time spent with their humans. So even if you want to toss a toy around the house, it will count as interaction and exercise.

Training 🦮

The Chinese Foo is intelligent but can be a bit difficult to train due to their stubborn nature. However, they can have an eagerness to please, along with a sharp, keen awareness, making them a perfect candidate for advanced concepts. You shouldn’t have much trouble with potty training or basic commands.

However, if you want them to learn very advanced concepts, be willing to put in the work. They certainly have the capability of understanding and taking in bigger concepts than what you might think.

Grooming ✂️

Get your grooming tools ready, it’s a mess! The Chinese Foo has a thick double coat that sheds continuously year-round. Because of that, they benefit very much from daily brushing, and so does your furniture.

When you have these dogs at home, you’re going to need to get the right tools. We highly recommend having a slicker brush for everyday brushing, as it penetrates through the shed. These tools are usually very easy to clean by simply grabbing the hair out in a bunch or pressing a button to retract the bristles. They are generally the best for everyday care.

Bristle brushes definitely have their place. Your Chinese Foo could have an absolutely stunning coat if it was properly cared for. Bristle brushes help to distribute the oils from the skin evenly throughout the fur, creating a soft and shiny coat.

Deshedding tools are a little more serious, and you should only use them sparingly. These tools rake the undercoat to remove any dead fur in the skin and coat.

You don’t need to bathe your Chinese Foo often, as they are naturally clean dogs and don’t have a noticeable doggy odor. Some Chinese Foo owners only wash their pups two to four times a year. However, this depends on whether your dog gets dirty or smelly often. When you bathe them, only use a high-quality dog shampoo, but don’t bathe them too often (like every week) since it will dry out their skin.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Because a lot isn’t known about the dog breed since they are rare, it is hard to say what health conditions they commonly suffer from. The Chinese Foo is considered to be a generally healthy dog. Regular vet care and keeping to the vaccine schedule will help ensure your dog stays in the best health.

Because these dogs are part Chow Chow, we have listed some health conditions that are common in Chows. But that doesn’t mean your Chinese Foo will necessarily have these conditions.

Male vs Female

There is little to no difference between male and female Chinese Foo dogs. If anything, the females are slightly smaller. In either case, it is important to spay or neuter your Chinese Foo in order to prevent unwanted litters of puppies, reduce undesirable behaviors associated with mating, and lower the risk of certain types of cancers.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Chinese Foo Dog

1. They Are Named After Statues

Chinese Foos get their names from the Chinese guardian lion statues found outside of Buddhist temples and other Chinese architecture. The colloquial English name for these statues are lion dogs or foo dogs.

2. They Are Known by Many Different Names

Chinese Foo dogs are known by many different names, including fu quan, tian quan, Chinese temple forest dog, Happiness Dog, and Celestial Dog.

3. They Come in Three Different Sizes

Although the standard size Chinese Foo is the most common, these dogs also come in a toy and miniature version, similar to Poodles. They can also be divided into small, medium, and large weight classes.

Final Thoughts

Chinese Foo dogs are rare, so unless you live in or near China, or are willing to travel, it will be hard to own one of these dogs. If you do plan to get one, they are not recommended for first-time dog owners due to their headstrong personality. But these dogs are intelligent and loyal to their people. Even if you aren’t ever able to own one, we hope you learned more about this interesting and lesser-known dog breed.

Featured Image Credit: TwinPeaks779, Shutterstock