Fu Quan
| Fu Quan | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other names | Xiong Quan, Long Quan, Tian Quan, Chinese Fu Quan, Fu Dog, Chinese Foo Dog, Chinese Temple Forest Dog, Chinese Foo, Chinese Choo Hunting Dog, Chinese Dragon Dog, Chinese Celestial Dog, Sacred Dog of Sinkiang | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin |  China | ||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Fu quan (福犬), also known as xiong quan (熊犬), long quan (龍犬), tian quan (天犬), Chinese foo dog, Chinese foo and Chinese temple forest dog, is a rare working dog breed that originated in China. Due to the fu quan's rarity, they are on the list of endangered and protected species of China.[1]
Body type
[edit]Shoulder height: less than 25cm (toy type), 25cm~38cm (mini type), greater than 38cm(standard type).
Body weight: less than 9kg (toy type), 9.5kg to 22kg (mini type), more than 23kg (standard type).
Head: The head is wide and wedge-shaped.
Ears: The ears are relatively small, slightly surrounding both sides of the head. It's best to
have a standing ear. Of course, a half-standing ear is also acceptable.
Eyes: dark brown, almond-shaped.
Nose: the bridge of the nose is straight and black.
Lower bar: the mouth is dark blue and the tongue is pink or red.
Four limbs: simple and square in appearance. The neck is medium-length and muscular.
Hair: double-layer hair.
Wool color: There are many different colors. Acceptable colors may be all dark or
combined black, such as: black, blue, brown and blue, cream and sable, brown, orange,
golden and dark mahogany, sable, medium gray and silver.
Background
[edit]The fu quan has been present in China for at least 3,000 years ago. There are multiple origins theorized, including that the fu quan was originally a mix of Northern Europe's wolves and Chow Chows and another being a mixture of Chinese wolves and Chow Chows. Fu quan are versatile working dogs. The Chinese use fu quan as a shepherd dog, hunting dog, guard dog and sled dog. Today, the fu quan can also be used as a companion dog.[2]
In addition to being used as working dogs, Fu Quan are also the mascots of Chinese temples and are considered by the Chinese to bring good luck.[3] Because Fu Quan were believed to bring good fortune, they were used as national symbols during the Tang dynasty.[4]
Nurse
[edit]Regular combing every week is necessary, and cleaning is also very necessary. Three
times a week in summer, and several times a few weeks in winter.
Appearance
[edit]The fu quan is spitz tugou with a compact, square-shaped body, broad head, pricked ears, deep chest, muscular loin, and a tail that is carried over their back.[citation needed] This dog has a thick, rough coat that comes in a variety of colors, such as silver, blue, black, brown, or red.[citation needed]
History
[edit]Fu Quan (quan, 福犬) have played an important role in ancient Chinese culture. In early times, they were used in religious sacrifices and royal hunting. Books like Zhouli (The Rites of Zhou) and Liji (The Book of Rites) recorded their uses. In Zhouli, dogs were listed as one of the "six domestic animals" for sacrifices, and special officials managed them for the royal court. In Liji, dogs were considered valuable offerings and had to be raised properly according to rituals. These records show that dogs were important in both religion and daily life in ancient China.[5][6]
Art and folk culture
[edit]In later periods, especially during the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, Fu Quan became symbols of good fortune (fu, 福), loyalty, and prosperity in Chinese culture. Small, friendly dogs often appeared in paintings and decorations as lucky animals. In traditional folk beliefs, raising a dog was thought to bring safety, happiness, and wealth to the household.
In Chinese art, Fu Quan has shown playing with children, symbolizing family harmony and future blessings. A famous example is the painting "Children Playing with Dogs" (《婴戏图》) [7] attributed to Song dynasty artist Su Hanchen (苏汉臣),[8] where Fu Quan are depicted alongside playful children to express wishes for a happy and prosperous family.[9]
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, New Year prints in Fujian (nianhua, 年画) [10] have featured Fu Quan to convey blessings for wealth and longevity. One common theme was "Dog Brings Blessings" (Gou Lai Fu, 狗来福),[11] showing this certain dog entering a house with auspicious symbols like peaches and gold ingots.
Decline
[edit]Fu Quan is now endangered, with fewer than 15 individuals worldwide. Here are the main reasons for its dramatic decline[12][13]
References
[edit]- ^ 大橘为重的胖橘 (2020-03-15). "这3种狗如今已濒临灭绝，有一种狗在中国，被国家列为保护动物！" [These three types of dogs are now on the verge of extinction. There is one type of dog in China that is listed as a protected animal by the country!] (in Chinese). 搜狐.
- ^ 寵之趣 (May 4, 2017). "能带来好运的福神——中国福犬！" [The god of good fortune - the Chinese lucky dog!] (in Chinese). 新浪網.
- ^ 张力强; 河南省犬业协会 (2005). "中国犬业发展浅析" [A brief analysis of the development of China's dog industry]. 中国工作犬业 [China Working Dog Industry].
- ^ 大话百科天地 (March 18, 2020). "中国福犬，能够给你带来好运的福神，比大熊猫还要稀少" [Chinese lucky dog, the god of luck who can bring you good luck, is even rarer than the giant panda] (in Chinese). 搜狐.
- ^ 中华书局, 中华书局 (1999). 周礼，《周礼·春官宗伯》《周礼·夏官司犬》，中华书局，1999年. 中国: 中华书局，1999年.
- ^ 礼记，《礼记·礼运》《礼记·曲礼上》, 礼记，《礼记·礼运》《礼记·曲礼上》 (1999). 礼记，《礼记·礼运》《礼记·曲礼上》 (in Chinese). 中国: 中华书局.
- ^ 苏, 汉臣 (April 6, 2025). "Children Playing with Dogs". theme.npm.edu.tw. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ Su, Hanchen (June 1, 2017). "天真和乐——苏汉臣婴戏图赏析". www.sohu.com.
- ^ Su, Hanchen (2010). Children Playing with Dogs. collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing.
- ^ Wang, Sulin (May 20, 2006). "年画 漳州木版年画". baike.baidu.com.
- ^ Lao, Liu (February 18, 2018). "狗年画狗！1000年前看宋画！300年前看郎世宁！今世看他天下第一". 360个人图书馆.
- ^ Quan, Guoxu (February 10, 2025). "中华人民共和国畜禽遗传资源委员会 中国本土犬种濒危情况报告". 中华人民共和国畜禽遗传资源委员会.
- ^ Zhang, Min (2020). "Conservation Status and Genetic Diversity of Indigenous Dog Breeds in China".