Cantonese Bear Dog is a rare dog breed of reddish-orange color originally from Guangdong Province of southern China.
This rare breed is considered to be a national treasure of China and as such is much appreciated across China.
They are loved for their many traits and are best known for their striking red coat.
At first look, this breed is bear-like with large and smiling mouths and cheerful eyes that are further apart than many dog breeds.
It’s fair to say that this breed is different in look, much more than other dogs at least.
Keep scrolling down to learn what you can expect from this breed in terms of personality and appearance.
Cantonese Bear Dog Physical Appearance
Cantonese Bear Dog, or Red Cantonese Bear Dog, is a medium-sized dog with a strong and muscular body, covered with a short coat of red color (sometimes they may have different coat color, but it should lean toward).
Their ears should always be erect. As puppies, they will be small and fluffy, very teddy-bear or even feline-like look, but they will fast grow to be medium-to-large dogs, although they are commonly medium size dogs with muscular bodies.
How big will they get? In terms of size, you can expect your Cantonese Bear Dog to be the size of a Labrador Retriever or Chow-Chow.
Dogs that are originally from China and known as bear-look dogs are of similar size, so think about Chow-Cow, Shar-pei, and Cantonese Bear Dog as dogs of similar if not identical size.
They commonly stand 30 to 32 inches at the shoulder and can weigh between 70 to 85 pounds.
Like with other dog breeds, females are usually smaller in size than males and of more a lean and gentle structure and shape.
Cantonese Bear dogs usually live between eleven to thirteen years.
Cantonese Bear Dog Throughout History
Cantonese Bear Dogs have been around throughout the centuries, which is why they are adored by many cultures.
Dog lovers believe that this breed was originally developed in China, where they were first used as hunting dogs.
At the time they were much appreciated for their brave nature and loyalty toward their owners.
In a short period, these dogs became famous among the Chinese aristocracy, and owning this dog was a clear indicator that the owner was a person of high status.
Once this breed reached its way to Europe, it became a popular dog among the nobility.
In England, these feline-like dogs are known as ‘Turnspit Dogs’, and once they reached European soil they instantly became popular guard dogs and hunting companions.
Whether you are looking for a companion dog or a partner to go on adventures with, a Cantonese Bear Dog is definitely a breed to consider having.
This breed can be your perfect companion if you already have experience as a dog owner and you can meet the dog’s needs.
Now, let’s see where this breed stands when it comes to personality.
Cantonese Bear Dog Personality
Cantonese Bear Dogs are great family dogs who love to be around people, including children.
They need moderate exercise which makes them suitable for city living. If you are apartment-based and you just thinking about getting this breed make sure that you can provide regular daily walks and exercise time.
If you want to compare Cantonese Bear Dog with other breeds of your interest, use this compare dog breeds tool to help you navigate faster and easier through your search for a dog that fits your lifestyle the best.
Cantonese Bear Dogs are not heavy barkers and they prefer to have chill moments and certain calmness.
All in all, they are quiet dogs. From day one they were bred to work. It is in dogs’ genes to work. Moreover, dogs were specially bred to perform certain tasks and help people with everyday duties.
This is why today we have dogs that are specialized for certain tasks, and assist as therapy dogs, working, herding dogs, search and rescue dogs, and so on, which is why dogs’ brains evolved move over time.
Just like other dog breeds, Cantonese Bear Dogs were bred to be versatile dogs that can be used for hunting, guarding, and working.
They are also great as watchdogs who will bark whenever a stranger approaches.
Do not expect them to be aggressive, but expect them to be territorial. This is something that you should communicate with your family members, especially children.
These dogs and children will get along nicely, as long as children know how to behave around dogs.
Children should know and understand that dogs are territorial creatures that love routines and rules.
That being said, children should know the following:
- Not to disturb dogs while they are eating
- Not to disturb dogs while they are drinking
- Not to disturb dogs while they are sleeping
- Not to disturb dogs while they are resting
- Not to pull dog’s tail
- Not to pull dog’s ears
- Not to pull dog’s hair
- Not to make sudden moves toward them
- Not to scream into dog’s ears
- How to move around dogs
- How to train dogs
- To know basic dog commands
On the other side, dogs should know how to move when inside and follow house dog rules.
No matter how well dogs and children might get along, you should still supervise their interaction.
Just like with any other dog breed they need proper training and early socialization.
To keep this breed happy and healthy you should provide regular walks and exercise time, to keep them fit and physically healthy.
Don’t forget that dogs learn and explore the world by being outside.
For dogs, walks are a great way to catch new smells, taste different things, and even eat grass when their bellies are in trouble.
Cantonese Bear Dogs will enjoy walking, running in the dog park, and fun indoor games that will keep their minds busy on rainy days.
Is Cantonese Bear Dog Really Suited For Apartment Living?
As mentioned earlier they can live in an apartment as long as they are given enough exercise and outdoor time.
Be mindful of the dog’s size and make sure that your living space is more than suitable for your Cantonese Bear Dog.
After all, dogs need enough space to move, turn, and stretch freely.
These feline-like dogs do not require much space, but they would enjoy a backyard to spend their time in.
If you have a garden, be mindful of poisonous plants for dogs and keep your Fido away from dangerous areas of your home (such as cleaning products) and dangerous plants.
Living With Cantonese Bear Dog
If you are getting a puppy, know that it is up to you to model your Cantonese Bear Dog.
When young, these dogs need a lot of socialization. At a young age, they should learn how to behave, and how to interact with dogs and pets, including cats.
Once you get your Cantonese Bear Dog and bring your dog home, you need to show enough affection and love.
If bored, or anyhow neglected these dogs will show some kind of destructive behavior.
All in all, if you’re serious about getting a dog, you have experience as a dog owner, and you have more than enough time to train and play with your Cantonese Bear Dog; this dog will be pure joy to raise, train, and watch grow.
How To Train Your Cantonese Bear Dog?
Just like any other breed, the Cantonese Bear Dog needs proper training and early socialization to thrive.
The difference between a well-behaved dog and a great canine citizen is training and proper socialization.
Did you know that dogs are more than capable of mastering basic commands as of eight weeks of age?
This is why it is not possible to get a puppy before this period. Early weeks are an important period for every puppy and bitch mother, so any responsible dog breeder will refuse to hand you over the dog before puppies turn eight weeks of age.
Once you get a dog you should start training him. Make sure that you make training sessions that are short, fun, reward-based, and consistent.
Cantonese Bear Dog is a great do to be trained in hands of an experienced dog trainer.
Bear in mind that if you miss training this breed on time, you will have a difficult dog on hand to deal with.
If your Cantonese Bear Dog attaches to you you will have a dog who will be fast to obey and perform the most complex tricks in a short time.
To make your life as a dog owner easier, make sure that you start training your Fido on time.
By the time the socialization window ends, your dog should know the following:
- How to walk on a leash
- House dog rules
- What home areas are allowed and which are off-limits
- How to behave around home visitors
- How to interact with children if any around
- How to use pee walks
- Basic commands, such as sit
Once your veterinarian gives you the green light, you are free to take your dog to the dog park, and let him interact with other dogs.
Do not forget to provide enough exercise. Next to training sessions, your Cantonese Bear Dog should have a regular exercise of around one to two hours.
Groom Your Cantonese Bear Dog Regularly
Cantonese Bear Dog is an easy-to-maintain breed as long as you provide consistent grooming sessions.
Their coat is fluffy and of soft texture, which makes brushing easier if you have the right grooming tools on hand.
Their coats are dense so make sure that you always check the coat for any sign of fleas and skin for any sign of skin infection.
The rest is regular grooming:
- Provide weekly brushing
- Clean ears when needed
- Bathe only when needed
- Trim or grind nails monthly
- Check gums weekly
- Check eyes daily for any sign of eye discharge
If your veterinarian suggests it, brush your dog’s teeth regularly.
Make sure that you use only toothpaste and shampoo that are specially designed for dogs.
Do not overdo with bathing time, unless it is really necessary, because dogs have different skin than humans do, and they do not need frequent bathtime.
Where Do You Find a Cantonese Bear Dog For Sale?
Cantonese Bear Dog is mostly popular in Asia, although they can be found in a different corner of the world, including the States.
This is a rare breed and finding them in local shelters is hard, but it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t check them.
You will be surprised to learn that some of the rarest dogs in the world end up in animal shelters due to different circumstances.
After all, you may check shelters for Cantonese Bear dogs and you may end up taking home any other purebred or mixed dog who might steal your heart with a single adorable look.
Adoption is a very human gesture, and kudos to you if you are thinking about this step.
If you want to buy a Cantonese Bear Dog you should know that it will demand a lot of work and extra research, in finding a responsible dog breeder.
When it comes to getting a dog you only want to deal with responsible dog breeders only.
Before you find a responsible Cantonese Bear Dog breeder know that it might require you to travel away from home to get your fluffy Fido if you don’t live close to a specific breeder.
Finding a breeder is just a first step, you need to make sure that you are dealing with a responsible dog breeder.
Here are some tips on how to recognize a responsible dog breeder:
- They will show you the facilities
- You will get to meet the bitch
- Facilties will be clean and well-organized
- All puppies will be together with the bitch
- There is only one breed around and nor multi breeds
- They will show you medical documentation on the puppy
Any sign of poor handling of dogs, filthy facilities, and puppies (and the bitch) are of poor appearance and weight, might be an indicator that you may be standing inside the puppy mills – this is something that you want to avoid.
Puppy mills are neither good for the bitch, nor the puppies’, health and quality of life. Plus, puppy mills will never have any documentation on the puppy, and they will be fast to hand you the puppy.
Responsible breeders will ask you a lot of questions to make sure that you are a good fit for their dog.
Once you get a dog, make sure that you take your Cantonese Bear Dog to your veterinarian for a full check-up.
This is a great way for your dog to get used to being handled. Make sure that you offer your Fido a treat afterward, to reward good behavior.
Red Cantonese Bear Dog Price
When getting any rare dog breed, like the Cantonese Bear Dog, it is most likely that you will have to buy the dog.
Finding them in animal shelters isn’t impossible, but it’s more likely that you will have to work with a reputable breeder.
The price of this breed may range, from $1,200 to $3,000 without any additional costs of transportation, additional check-ups, and similar.
The best way to get a fair price is to do the following:
- Check reviews of the breeder
- Check breeders’s location
- Compare prices among different breeders
When getting this breed remember that they are rare and expensive, so if you are offered a price of only a few hundred dollars, it is too good to be true.
Why Should You Get A Rare Cantonese Bear Dog?
When getting a dog you need to be honest about your lifestyle, finances, and time management so you can really be sure that you can afford to own a dog.
Dog ownership means providing the right care for another living being, for a period of a couple of years, and very often over a decade.
This is why you should get a breed that you will get along with. If you are a vivid runner, you might want to get a breed that can follow you on running sessions.
Always check the dog’s capabilities and be sure that the dog’s exercise needs and your lifestyle are a good match. That being said, make sure that Cantonese Bear Dog is a breed for you.
Let’s see what are pros and cons of owning a Cantonese Bear Dog.
Pros Of Owning A Cantonese Bear Dog
Owning any dog breed comes with certain pros and cons, and Cantonese Bear Dog is no exception.
They are some of the most loyal dogs out there, but that doesn’t mean that are a great fit for any home.
If you want a feline-looking dog, with high protective instincts and strong territorial traits, you should think about getting a Cantonese Bear Dog.
Here are some of the most positive traits of owning a Cantonese Bear Dog:
- They are highly loyal
- They are protective
- They are very intelligent
- Training them is great if you have experience with training dogs
- They will bond firmly with their humans
- They do not require a lot of grooming
Now, let’s see what are the cons of owning this breed.
Cons Of Owning A Cantonese Bear Dog
Every dog comes with certain traits that are easy to love and adore.
In most cases, their traits are great and easy to recognize, while some require stronger understanding, demand more structured training, or just require a more experienced dog owner.
These traits aren’t bad, but definitely should be taken into consideration when thinking about getting a Cantonese Bear Dog.
Here are the most common cons of owning a Cantonese Bear Dog:
- They tend to be clingy and possesive
- May be aggressive toward other dogs
- May be aggressive toward strangers
- Without proper training and socialization they may be hard to handle
The Bottom Line
Cantonese Bear Dogs are great dogs who thrive when surrounded by their humans.
Before you run and get this breed, make sure that you are ready to get a dog.
Be 100% sure that a Cantonese Bear Dog is a breed for you. That being said, weigh the pros and cons to see if Cantonese Bear Dog is the right breed for you.
