Dogs have been raised in China for at least 3,000 years. Symbols representing dogs have been found in the most ancient oracle bone scripts. Throughout all the dynasties, from the Chou to the Ching, special officials were installed in the imperial courts to look after the animals. An old story has it that in the Tsin dynasty, Gen. Lu Chi's soldiers were rescued from a mountain siege by a dog called Huang Er (Yellow Ear), which ran to bring help.

Dog raising has been popular in Taiwan since the island was first settled by the Chinese. Rising living standards have enabled more people to keep dogs as pets in the past few years. Several enterprising businessmen have taken up raising dogs to meet the needs of the local market, and more recently, for sale overseas. Most of the breeds exported originated in China.

With its flat nose, bulging eyes and short legs, the Pekingese has a habit of bobbing its head and wagging its tail as it walks. Its disarming ways have made it a popular pet in Taiwan.

A long period of cross-breeding was needed to produce the Pekingese. During the Ching dynasty, the dogs could only be kept by the imperial family and court attendants, and commoners were not allowed to own them.

Dowager Tsu Hsi of the Ching dynasty made a major contribution to improving the breed. She decreed that the ideal Pekingese had to be small so that it could be hidden in the sleeves of the loose garments in vogue at the time, that it should have short bow legs so that it could not run away, and that its nose should be stunted so that its sense of smell would be impaired. The Pekingese soon established their own special position in the court.

The uprising at the end of the Ching dynasty allowed a eunuch to smuggle out several specimens of Pekingese and sell them to outsiders. The storming of Peiping by the combined forces of eight foreign powers at the end of the Ching dynasty led to the breed being introduced to countries overseas. According to legend, the foreign invaders found several of the dogs guarding the body of the aunt of the emperor Wen Tsung, who committed suicide when she was unable to escape. The British soldiers took them home, and thereafter, the Pekingese were among the most popular dogs among the English gentry.

Today, most of the 2,000 dogs exported from the Republic of China are Pekingese, and it is estimated that Taiwan accounts for 95 percent of white Pekingese exports. The day before they leave, the dogs are inspected at the quarantine office, and receive pedigree certificates, inoculations and a clean bill of health. In most cases, buyers await them at airports in their country of destination.

As demand is rising and capitalization is low, the business of breeding Pekingese has become profitable in the Republic of China. A bitch may have as many as two litters a year, each of five puppies, over a span lasting as long as 13 years. A female puppy brings a price of about US$280, and a male, US$200.

The small size of the dogs makes them ideal as pets for residents of high-rise buildings. They should be bathed once a week and their kennels equipped with a small tray to catch the droppings. Inoculations should also be given regularly.

Inbreeding should be avoided to promote health and quality of breed. Participation in dog shows helps owners to learn how to look after their pets and improve the pedigree.

In addition to Pekingese, other popular dogs raised in Taiwan are the Lhasa apso, chow chow, pug and sharpei. The pug has large eyes, short nose and a wrinkled face. The dogs were popular in the Chinese imperial court, and were introduced to Europe by the Dutch in the 17th century. Pugs tend to over-eat, and therefore put on too much weight. They also fare badly in cold weather, because of their short hair. Many owners use a small vest to keep them warm .

The Lhasa apso, literally lion dog, originated in Tibet, and was introduced to Taiwan some 30 to 40 years ago. Of medium size, lively and alert, the Lhasa apso is a good housekeeper and pet.

The clumsy looking chow chow has sleepy eyes, a short and fat body and a coat of long dense hair. Since it looks like a teddy bear as a puppy and a lion when it reaches maturity, it is called the bear-lion-dog in Taiwanese. Originating in Kwangtung province and introduced to Taiwan about 100 years ago, the chow chow has a reputation for being a tenacious guard dog.

Sharpei, also originating in Kwangtung province, is one of the most valuable dogs raised in Taiwan. After the Chinese Communists occupied the mainland, dog raising became too expensive for most people. Mao Tse-tung even ordered that dogs be butchered, and the flesh of the sharpei was eaten and its pelt made into fur coats. It was only the smuggling of a few specimens from the mainland to the free world that saved the breed from extinction. Besides being good guard dogs, sharpei are known for their excellence in hunting and fighting. The limited number of the dogs keeps their price high.

The Executive Yuan recently announced a plan to encourage government employees to raise dogs as a sideline. A local saying has it that the unannounced arrival of a dog at a person's home is a sign that he will be wealthy. The prosperity of a society can be measured to some extent by the money spent and pleasure derived from keeping pet dogs.

[Picture Caption]

Above left: A long period of cross-breeding has produced the pure breed of Pekingese. The dog's disarming ways have made it a popular pet in Taiwan and in foreign countries. Below left: The Pekingese with a black mouth is regarded as the most pure of all strains and thus most valuable. Right: Pekingese and Pomeranians are favorite pets for people in Taiwan.

1. Sharpei is one of the most valuable dogs raised in Taiwan. 2. Dogs need exercise to keep healthy. 3. The clumsy looking chow chow known as bearlion-dog in Taiwan. 4. Before the 19th century, Pekingese could only be kept by the imperial family.

1. Lhasa apso, originating in Tibet, was presented as a gift by the Dalai Lama to the Chinese emperor during the Manchu rule. 2. The pug has large eyes, short nose and a wrinkled face, and used to be one of the court pets. 3. A Maltese terrier. 4. Chihuahua is one of the smallest pet dogs in Taiwan.

The Pekingese with a black mouth is regarded as the most pure of all strains and thus most valuable.

Pekingese and Pomeranians are favorite pets for people in Taiwan.

Sharpei is one of the most valuable dogs raised in Taiwan.

Dogs need exercise to keep healthy.

The clumsy looking chow chow known as bearlion-dog in Taiwan.

Before the 19th century, Pekingese could only be kept by the imperial family.

Lhasa apso, originating in Tibet, was presented as a gift by the Dalai Lama to the Chinese emperor during the Manchu rule.

The pug has large eyes, short nose and a wrinkled face, and used to be one of the court pets.

A Maltese terrier.

Chihuahua is one of the smallest pet dogs in Taiwan.