Discover the Xiasi Dog Breed
Posted by Warren Smith on
Here at the Innocent Hound, we are intrigued by all dog breeds. Today, we look at the lesser-known, rare, and prized Xiasi dog, a breed from China. Unfortunately, the breed has been dwindling in number for many years.
History of the Xiasi Dog
"Xiasis Dog" by LauraKelsch is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
The original name for this breed is noted in Chinese folklore as the White Dragon Dog. However, during the reign of the Qianglong Emperor, one of his governors was gifted one of these dogs while visiting the village of Xiasi in Guizhou province. The governor took the dog back to the Emperor for approval. The dog was incredible at boar hunting and quickly grew favour with the rulers of the time.
One account suggests that the Emperor of the time would often refer to himself as the ‘True Dragon Emperor’. As such, when the governor was asked, ‘What is this dog?’, he was uncomfortable giving the dog a similar moniker for fear of offending his superiors. Instead, he decided to refer to the canine as a ‘Xiasi Dog’, naming it after the village it had originated from.
However, information suggests that the Xiasi dog existed long before the Qianlong Emperor’s rule. Some historical entries date the dog's appearance back to the Han dynasty between 202 BCE and 9 AD.
In 1999, it was reported that the dog was critically endangered, with only around 271 purebred Xiasi dogs left in the world. Various reasons have been attributed to this, but the breed's low genetic diversity has made it difficult to reproduce successfully and adapt to the changing world.
Appearance
Most consider the Xiasi dog to be a medium-sized dog, standing between 45-50cm and generally weighing around 20kg. The dog’s coat is almost exclusively white and/or cream. The hair on said coat is typically wiry but can also be thick. It is common to see their ears pricked up, with a cute pink nose and a square-shaped mouth.
Personality
Xiasi Dogs are incredibly loyal to their pack, whether it be other Xiasi Dogs, different breeds or their humans - even other pets! Having originated as hunters, they are powerful and use that mentality to be protective. However, they have a softer side and can be affectionate to their loved ones.
Nutrition needs of the Xiasi Dog
There are no specific dietary requirements for the Xiasi Dog breed. However, providing them with a high-quality, protein-rich diet is always a wise choice to support their active and loyal nature. The Innocent Hound has just the thing… whether as a one-time purchase or on a dog food subscription basis!
Our British Beef Stew is a delicious, nourishing option your Xiasi Dog Breed will love. Handcrafted in Yorkshire using the finest ingredients, it’s grain-free and gently cooked to retain all the goodness—setting us apart from other dog food brands!
Whether you have a Xiasi Dog Breed puppy or an entirely different breed, our food suits dogs aged eight weeks and over. Serve it in their dog bowl and watch them enjoy every bite!
The global popularity of the Xiasi Dog
Unsurprisingly, the Xiasi Dog breed is not well-known outside of China. Search trend data suggests a minor interest in this breed in surrounding areas like Taiwan and Hong Kong. Outside of Asia, there is limited knowledge of dogs; however, some satellite Xiasi Dogs may be located in Nigeria, Ecuador, and Finland, owing to some search queries stemming from these locales.