The Chinese Red Dog, locally known in China as the Laizhou Hong – Hong meaning red and Laizhou referring to the location of origin – is a large dog with a body longer than the height of its withers. It has a strong, muscular head that is proportional to the rest of the body. A male dog can reach a maximum size of 32 inches in height and weigh from 77 to 85 pounds. The female can reach up to 28 inches in height at the withers.
With a prominent skull, the forehead runs parallel to the bridge of the nose and is very flat. Its nose is as long as the top of its head, with broad black nostrils. Red or spotted noses are outside of the breed standards.
Their muzzle, as well as the nasal bridge, are long and straight and their lips fit the shape of their jaws firmly.
The colour of their gums can be dark and they may also have the dalmation style pigmentation on their tongues. They also feature powerful jaws and scissor bites, however their jaw muscles are not over defined or prominent. Despite having a robust head, their cheek muscles are only slightly noticeable.
The Chinese Red Dog has almond-shaped eyes that are pronounced and known to have a smart look. Its eyes can be light amber to dark brown in colour.
Chinese Red Dogs also come with large bat-like ears as a breed standard, standing straight and tapering to a curve at the tip. The neck is thick and long, often held up from the withers in an alerted manner. They have straight backs, bowed backs are outside the breed standard.
Their croup is rounded and has a medium-length size while still being broad. Their chest can teacup up to their elbows giving them a muscular and bulky look. The deepness of their chest is half the height of the withers.
The ribs of the Chinese Red Dog are wide and deep giving the barrel effect. The tail is functional and powerful and when alerted or poised is often held erect and curved giving the scorpion effect. It is medium to thick tapering towards the tip. When resting it can reach the hock.
It has well-defined muscular legs – the thickness of bone that this breed is known for adding to the effect from all angles. Its shoulders are laid back, their elbows close in toward their body giving them the tough look. The dog’s fore and hind quarters are well defined yet still boast a bulky elegance. They medium to large neatly boxed paws and black nails.
They come with tight-fitting skin and short fur that is glossy, dense, and smooth. Their coats are black and have striking reddish-brown tan points markings. There is also a much darker variety donning an overall blackness with a tinted version of that rich reddish brown still bleeding through and obvious to see.
The Chinese Red Dog has been displayed in a show catalogue for the 2019 World Dog Show in Shanghai under the category Non-FCI Breeds: Group 2.
How much does the Chinese Red Dog cost?
Being rare and uncommon, the Chinese Red Dog comes a bit pricey. In the United Kingdom, they normally range from £3000 to £5000 depending on the dog and the breeder.
In the USA, it has been said that a red dog was sold at the astonishing price of £45,000.
Source: China Kennel Union
