Determining whether a Chinese rural dog (also known as a 'Tu Gou' or 'native dog') will have erect ears can be assessed by observing the ear placement. Typically, dogs with ears positioned more towards the back of the head are likely to develop upright ears. Additionally, examining the parents can provide clues; if both parents have erect ears, the puppies are very likely to have erect ears as well. A well-bred Chinese rural dog should exhibit 'five shorts': a short body, short muzzle, short legs, short ears, and a short tail. The nose should be long, soft, and the eyes should be narrow and elongated, not protruding.
Methods to Determine if a Chinese Rural Dog's Ears Will Stand Upright
To determine if a Chinese rural dog's ears will stand upright, pay attention to the position of the ears. Generally, dogs with ears set further back on their heads tend to have erect ears. Puppies typically develop standing ears around two to three months of age, so observing their ear carriage at this time can be a good indicator.
Another reliable method is to consider the ear type of the parents. If both parents have erect ears, the puppies will very likely have erect ears as well. It’s unlikely for two erect-eared parents to produce a puppy with floppy ears. During the ear-standing phase, providing adequate nutrition is crucial. If a Chinese rural dog's ears don't stand up after an extended period, it could be a sign of a calcium deficiency. In such cases, calcium supplements such as calcium powder or calcium vitamins should be considered.
Characteristics of a High-Quality Chinese Rural Dog
A well-bred Chinese rural dog should have a 'five shorts' body structure: a short body, a short muzzle, short legs, short ears, and a short tail. The body length should be slightly greater than the shoulder height. The chest should be broad and deep, and the front legs should be straight, while the hind legs should have a slight bend, often referred to as 'fore-arrow hind-bow.' The lower legs should be short. The paws should be thick and compact, with short toes, often described as having 'garlic clove' feet. The waist should be short, level, and slightly arched upward like a shrimp's back. The abdomen should be of moderate size. The nose should possess six key characteristics: it should be long, soft, thick, deep, broad, and filled (with 'nose-meat', or substantial nasal tissue). Specifically, the nasal flesh should be long, soft (not hard), and the nasal granules (the small bumps on the nose) should be coarse. The eyes should exhibit three key characteristics: they should be narrow, long, and deep-set. They should be narrow and long with an almond-like shape and be well-socketed, not protruding. Triangular eyes are also considered desirable.