8 Asian Dog Breeds Not To Be Missed

If you love animals and curiosities, in this article we will guide you to discover the most famous and interesting dog breeds originating in Asia. Of course, nowadays you can easily find them all over the world! Some of these are very famous and popular, others will surprise you with their characteristics and qualities. You are ready? So let’s start to learn more about these 8 Asian dog breeds not to be missed.

The most famous Asian dogs

Most of these Asian dog breeds originate from China and Japan. But on this list, we have also included other Russians, Indians, Pakistanis, Thais and Afghans. If you are looking for a dog from Asia to adopt and you don’t know which one to choose, these are the most “famous” ones:

1. Akita Inu

Inu means “dog” in Japanese, and Akita refers to the Prefecture (province) where the breed was born before the 27th century. It is a large and sturdy animal that can weigh 50 kg, has small, straight ears, orange fur and a typical curled tail. Her tiny little eyes reveal a loving and trustworthy personality. He is a brave and very intelligent dog.

2. Shih Tzu

This breed originates from China and is known for its lion-like mane. It is small in size and originated in the Tibet area, which is why it is chosen by many Buddhist temple monks in the region. It weighs about 6 kg when adult, has large ears, a large, round head, long, slightly wavy hair. He is quite active, tender and affectionate.

3. Siberian Husky

It is one of the most famous Asian dogs and the best known in Russia. Originally from Siberia, it is very similar to the wolf (instead of barking, it howls) and has always been used for pulling sleds, grazing deer and keeping children warm. Males can weigh up to 28 kg but females are longer-lived (they can live for over 14 years). It is characterized by a thick coat and clear eyes (sometimes even white).

4. Afghan Hound

This dog breed originates from Afghanistan and has a very distinctive long, thin coat. He is one of the smartest dogs in the world. Its ancestors were greyhounds and, in ancient times, they were used for hunting. The tail ends in a “ring” and is an animal very dependent on its owners. As for its characteristics as a hunter, it will leave you speechless if you run it in the open field: this animal can exceed 60 km / h in speed.

5. Shar Pei

This Chinese dog is well known for its “wrinkled” body (pictured above). Their ancestors were the Tibetan Mastiff and the Chow Chow. It is used as a shepherd dog and as a guardian. It has a sturdy and medium-sized structure, with small ears and short hair. Males can weigh 30 kg. As for his character, he is quite calm and balanced. But be careful: it has a very bad relationship with the cold.

6. Tibetan Mastiff

It impresses with its large size and enormous legs. Among Asian dogs it is one of the oldest breeds. It has been used for centuries to accompany Himalayan flocks and as a guardian of villages and herds. It can weigh up to 110 kg but this does not affect its speed : despite its weight, it is an agile dog. Its longevity is striking, as it can live up to 13 years, it has a thick coat and, for this reason, it does not tolerate too hot and humid climates.

7. Pekingese

As the name suggests, this dog was born in the Chinese capital, Beijing. It is considered one of the symbols of the Buddhist religion and was the favorite dog of the imperial family, who forbade its export to other countries. A prohibition maintained until the nineteenth century, when the British army took away a specimen, as a gift for Queen Victoria. It is a small but sturdy dog ​​with a large head and a snub nose. It is a very capricious animal, a little stubborn, but very intelligent. He doesn’t usually get along with children.

8. Chow Chow

We close this exhibition dedicated to Asian dogs with the so-called “lion dog”. It is a very special animal for various reasons. He has a mane (like the king of the jungle) and his tongue is blue / black. It is one of the Asian races of China and its origins date back thousands of years.

Over the centuries has s face many different functions. It has been used as  a working dog, hunting dog, for pulling sleds, guard dog in Buddhist temples and as a pet in houses and boats. It is of medium size and sturdy, has small ears, a wide mouth, dark eyes and thick fur. As for the personality, it has a dominant, independent, silent character and easily adapts to any space, even a small one.

We have seen together these beautiful 8 dog breeds from Asia. You probably already knew some of them. But then: which is  your  favorite ? Maybe you could adopt one! It would be a wonderful and big-hearted choice.

Source of main image: Marilylle Soveran