Liangshan Dog

The Liangshan dog is a regional Chinese working dog associated with the Liangshan mountains of Sichuan and the Yi communities who have kept dogs for hunting and guarding. It is better described as a local landrace or developing breed than as a uniformly fixed kennel-club breed. Accounts usually portray a medium to large, agile dog with a short to medium coat, strong legs, a keen nose, and enough toughness for steep terrain. Color, ear carriage, and size may differ between villages or family lines.

In human use, Liangshan dogs are expected to be practical: alert around the home, capable in rough country, and responsive to handlers they know. That background can make them unsuitable for casual apartment ownership unless exercise, training, and socialization are taken seriously. Secure fencing and careful introductions to livestock, guests, and other dogs are important. Anyone seeking one should ask about the exact line, health history, and working temperament, since the name may be applied broadly to southwestern Chinese mountain dogs.

Colors: Albino, Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Grey, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Leucistic, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Melanistic, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow