Overview
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin | China (Laizhou, Shandong) |
| FCI Classification | Group 2 (Molossoid) |
| Use | Companion, Working and Guard |
| Type | Moderately large molossoid |
| Proportion | Body longer than height at the withers |
Size and Weight
Males
- Height
- 64 to 79 cm
- Weight
- 40 to 60 kg
Females
- Height
- 65 to 70 cm
- Weight
- 35 to 50 kg
Head
General appearance
Strong, well-proportioned to the overall appearance, without being excessively massive. Strong, elongated skull with no markedly protruding occiput. The forehead is flat and parallel to the nasal bridge.
Stop
Well-defined but not overly pronounced.
Nose
Broad, black, with wide nostrils. Red or spotted noses are outside the standard.
Muzzle
Proportionate to the head, strongly developed, with a straight nasal bridge.
Lips
Firm and well-fitted to the jaws, ensuring proper mouth closure. Gum pigmentation is dark.
Jaws and Dentition
Upper and lower jaws powerful and broad. Scissor bite. 42 teeth correctly positioned and of normal size.
Cheeks
Muscles only slightly defined, never protruding.
Eyes
Almond-shaped, medium-sized, with clearly defined corners. Intelligent and eager expression. Color ranging from light amber to dark brown.
Ears
Naturally erect (no cropping required), set high and well apart on the skull, slightly curved on the outer edge, moderately large in size.
Neck and Body
Neck
Good length, proportionate to the body and head. Dry, without dewlap. Throat skin well-fitted, without folds, muscular.
Withers
Pronounced in height and length, especially in males. Determines the slope of the topline from the withers to the croup.
Back
Firm, level and well-muscled.
Croup
Medium length, broad and rounded.
Chest
Deep to the elbows. Chest depth is half the height at the withers. Well-developed forechest. Ribs well-sprung but not barrel-shaped, extending well to the rear.
Tail
Moderate length, tapering uniformly toward the tip. At rest, hangs with a slight curve. When moving or excited, may be carried higher. Should reach approximately the hock.
Limbs
Forequarters
Viewed from all sides, front legs nearly straight, vertical to the ground, strongly developed. Shoulders well laid back. Upper arms of good length and well-muscled. Elbows close to the body, not turning outward. Strong wrists. Pasterns with strong bones, straight viewed from the front and slightly sloping viewed from the side. Feet short and compact, well-arched and tight, with short black nails.
Hindquarters
Well-developed pelvic musculature in the hips and croup. Hind legs strong, straight and parallel viewed from behind. Thighs of good length and breadth, well-muscled. Strong stifles. Well let-down hocks. Rear feet same as front, with arched toes and black nails.
Coat and Color
Skin
Well-fitted to the body throughout.
Coat
Short, dense, smooth and glossy, with a coarse texture. May be single or double coat.
Color
Black with clearly defined red tan markings on the cheeks, muzzle, throat, chest and legs, as well as above both eyes and under the base of the tail. The rich red markings are the breed's visual signature.
A distinctive trait common in Chinese breeds: the Laizhou Hong frequently displays black spots or dark blue/black tongue coloring, as well as dark gums. This is a normal and expected breed characteristic.
Movement
Movement is of special importance for both working ability and outward appearance. The gait should be elastic, elegant, agile, free and with good ground coverage. The forequarters should reach forward as far as possible, while the hindquarters provide elastic, far-reaching drive. There should be good stability of the back, ligaments and joints.
Disqualifying Faults
The official standard is clear regarding what disqualifies a Laizhou Hong from competition and breeding:
Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed-typical conformation, should be used for breeding.
This content is based on the official CKU 2017 Standard (1st Edition) and is provided for informational purposes. For the complete document, please consult the China Kennel Union.