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Chinese Foo Dog

HISTORY

Every legend is based on fact; every myth is grounded in truth. A spitz-type dog discovered as an extant breed after having long been considered extinct is that of the Chinese Foo Dog, or Sacred Dog of Sinkiang, also known as the Chinese Choo Hunting Dog, Chinese Temple Forest Dog, Chinese T'ien Kou (Chinese Celestial Dog), or Chinese Lung- Kou (Chinese Dragon Dog).
The theory has been advanced that the Chinese Foo Dog originated through a crossing of Northern European hunting dogs and that of the ancient Chow Chow from the barren steppes of Mongolia. Another belief is that the Chinese Foo Dog is perhaps the missing link between that of the Chinese Wolf and the Chow Chow. As its name implies, it is from China, and probably derives its name from foochow, of the kind or style prevalent in Foochow, of or from the city of Foochow (now Minhow) in southeast China. This multi-talented breed has been used as a herding and hunting dog as well as a sled and watchdog throughout its history. The Chinese Foo Dog is the mascot of the Tongs and believed to bring good luck. The Tong is a Chinese association, clan, or fraternity - the oldest secret cult in the world. The Tong bred and kept the Chinese Foo Dog as a symbol of its organization. The Chinese Foo Dog is promoted and protected by the Chinese Foo Dog Club of America & International Chinese Foo Dog Association, registerable with the International Rare Breed Dog Club and eligible for exhibition at American Rare Breed Association (ARBA), Federation of Rare Breeds (FORB), International All-Breed Canine Association(IABCA), Rarities, States Kennel Club (SKC), and World Wide Kennel Club

GENERAL APPEARANCE Typical Northern type dog, compact and square-like in profile. Toy, Miniature or Standard size by height; Small, Medium or Large size by weight. Moderately broad head with prick ears. Bone is substantial without being coarse. The tail is carried over its back.

CHARACTERISTICS: Active, agile, alert, courageous, hardy and strong, denoting its hunting and working heritage. Bold and energetic in temperament; makes an effective yet friendly, guardian. A devoted family pet possessing great dignity and independence of character.

HEAD & SKULL: Broad, wedge-shaped head. From the side, the muzzle and back of the skull appear to be of equal length. The stop is clearly defined, but not large

TEETH A full complement of strong white teeth meet in a scissors, even or reverse-scissor bite.
Serious Fault: Protruding overshot or undershot jaw.

MOUTH: Mouth and/or tongue may be blue-black and/or pink-red.

EYES: Dark brown color. Medium almond-shaped. Not protruding. The eyes have a bright appearance, expressing intelligent inquisitiveness and a fearless, energetic expression.

NOSE: The bridge of the nose is straight and black in color

EARS Set high, firm and carried erect while on the alert. Comparatively small, slightly rounded at the tips. Semi-erect ears acceptable but not preferred over erect ears. Serious fault: Drop ear or ears.

NECK: Strong, full, medium length, muscular, well set, with a slight arch. A modest amount of loose skin on throat permissible.

FOREQUARTERS: Shoulders, muscular and sloping; with elbows closely set on.

FORELEGS: The legs are firm, straight and powerful; well under the body and of moderate length and with good bone. Pasterns are upright or only slightly bent. The legs are straight and parallel when viewed from the front. Single dewclaws are acceptable on the front legs.

BODY The chest is deep and moderately broad. The body is short, powerful and compact. Well-sprung ribs. Short, wide, muscular loins.

HINDQUARTERS

HIND LEGS: The thighs are broad and well muscled. There is moderate angulation at the stifle and hock. The legs are straight and strong when viewed from behind.

FEET: The paws are small, round to slightly oval, with thick pads and toes tightly closed. The feet turn neither in nor out.

TAIL: The tail is set high, and is curled and carried over the back. It is almost always left natural and untrimmed. Otherwise, breeders (litter owners) may dock the tails short to emphasize the stocky look of the breed.

COAT The breed is double-coated. The thick, hard, weather-resistant and oft-standing coat is made up of a coarse, straight-haired outer coat and a soft, dense, woolly undercoat. It is smooth, short, thick and rich on the head and on the front of the legs. The neck, buttocks, chest, hind part of legs and underside of the tail have the longest hair. The double-coat comes in a short Plush or the longer Rough. Altering of the coat by trimming, clipping or artificial means is not allowed. The whiskers shall remain intact. Trimming of any loose hair from the bottom of the feet is acceptable. Show ring presentation is always natural and unaltered.

COLOR Acceptable colors may be any shade or combination of black, black and tan, blue, brown and blue, cream and sable, fawn (yellow-cream to brown), orange, red (light gold to deep mahogany), sable, wolfgray (medium gray to silver); (with or without minor, limited white markings).

GAIT *The breed is constructed for agility and endurance, being well balanced in angulation and muscular development; the gait exhibited should reflect these qualities.

HEIGHT * Height is measured at the highest point of the shoulder. Height parameters are as follows:
TOY * Ten inches or less.
MINIATURE* Over ten inches and up to and including fifteen inches.
STANDARD* Over fifteen inches.
Balance should be the outstanding feature in every case

WEIGHT Weight divisions are as follows:
SMALL: (up to 20 pounds)
MEDIUM: (21-50 pounds)
LARGE: (51 pounds or more)

CLASSIFICATION: Show sponsoring clubs may offer Regular Classes divided by Height and/or Weight.

DISQUALIFICATIONS: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Extreme shyness or viciousness.

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note ** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.