The most noble and rare breed of dog in the world. Was considered a god on earth and was Ghenghis Han's favorite
One of the rarest dog breeds in the world is called Xigou and is originally from China. It was the favorite Ogar of the Chinese emperors, being considered the noblest dog in the world. There are specialists who say that Xigou is the ancestor of all the worlds in the world.
The Xigou PHOTO Wikipedia
At the moment, over 360 dog breeds are recognized on the surface of the Earth, being among the most versatile and adaptable animals in the world. One of the rarest and noble races is Xigou, a Chinese Ogar, considered one of the great ancestors of today's dogs. At the moment, Xigou is categorized as a rare animal, protected on the territory of China.
The favorite of the Chinese emperors
As the old paintings on the graves of the Chinese Dynasty Qin, this dog, also known as Shanxi Xigou, is attested for 2500 years, being one of the oldest canines in the world. The representation of these majestic, gramble and imposing animals, in the graves of the Chinese emperors, is not accidental. The breed was preferred to the great Chinese sovereigns, but also of the nobility. The emperors of the Tang Dynasty, from the 6th century, had true packs of Xigou ogres that they used in particular in the rabbit hunt on the large plates of the Huangtu plateau. Dogs were considered part of the imperial family and care for properly in luxury keys.
The dog of Chinese emperors Photo Wikipedia
Over time, variants of the breed (possible by mealing with other Central Asia ogres) have become used for hunting and ordinary people, being highly appreciated for their qualities and speed. However, the Xingou imperial dogs remained a standard of nobility, living next to China's most powerful emperors.
“This Shanxi is capable of fulfilling the role of guard dog, even if its main talent is hunting. In addition, it is a highly appreciated pet. Like most of the ogos, it is independent and even suspicious with foreigners. But it offers a lot of affection to those he knows and loves. Like any athlete, Xigou needs daily exercises.”say the specialists from Academic Hound.
The dog considered a god
The importance that this dog had in ancient and medieval China is proven by the hundreds of artistic representations in which Xigou is either the central character, or appears accompanying emperors and noble warriors. Famous is the representation of an Xigou dog in the tomb of Prince Xangui, from the year 700 D/HR. He was the favorite animal of the powerful member of the Imperial House during the Tang dynasty. Including the dreaded Ghenghis Han had a Xigou. It is about the Mongolian variety of the breed, also known as Ogar Qidan.
Medieval representation of the Xigou photo wikipedia
Higher than a Chinese Xigou, the Mongolian version impressed by amazing speed but also by tenacity. It was even more robust and the fur a little thicker to cope with the steppe winds. Qidan Xigou is the favorite of the aristocracy in northern China, a copy also in the possession of leader Mongol Ghenghis Han, following the raids. Ghenghis Han attached so much to this Chinese dog that he took him everywhere, including his conquest campaigns. The aristocratic allure and his presence around the Chinese and Mongolian nobility transformed him into a mythical character. More precisely, it was said that the name of the breed comes from the Chinese god Zhang Xian. Ogarul Xigou would have been the form that the god would have taken when he reached Earth, among people. Therefore, Ogar Xigou had a special status in ancient and medieval Chinese society.
What does the Ogar of Chinese gods look like
Shanxi Xigou is a greyhound, that is, a supple dog, extremely fast, with good and very intelligent odor. But it has some special features. It has a height of about 80 centimeters, with a long, narrow head, flat forehead, small distance between the semi-poro-puffy and fluffy ears, throat and thin waist, a curved back and a long tail.
Chinese Ogaro photo wikipedia
There are several variations of the breed with differences in hair length, ears. The most famous variation is Hebei Xigou, the favorite dog of Emperor Kangxi during the Qing dynasty. He was an excellent dog for rabbit hunting, being famous for the incredible ability to feel prey, physical resistance, good memory, but especially impeccable loyalty. Regardless of the variation, the most important, defining feature of the Xigou yard is the head, similar to a Central Asia Aries.
As for color, it is varied from yellow to combinations of white with black. It is said that Xigou is the breed from which all the breeds of ogres were obtained throughout the millennia. At least this tends to believe Stephen Bodio, a passionate writer and traveler. On the other hand, Sir Land Clark, another traveler and researcher, believes that these ogres have arrived in China in western Asia Central, Persia and Arabia. “Tande believes that these ogres come from Central Asia, from the west, from Persia and Arabia. I think the phenomenon was the opposite.”says Stephen Bodio on his blog. The dispute is still current at the level of chinologists. In any case, Xigou became a rare race, especially after the Chinese authorities forbade the hunting. Since 2017, Chinese specialists collect DNA from remaining copies to restore race.
