Yes, Chinese people have kept dogs as pets for thousands of years, with evidence of them being used for hunting, guarding, and companionship as far back as the Neolithic age, and they became popular status symbols in imperial courts, though their role shifted with history, experiencing suppression during the Cultural Revolution before re-emerging as common companions, especially in modern urban China.
Yes, people in China do keep dogs as pets. Not as common culturally as America, perhaps. More affluent Chinese can afford these more expensive pets. And have the room and leisure time for their care and companionship. What is not common is having dog meat on the menu, at restaurants, or on grocery shelves.
Additionally, a recent study based on DNA analysis has confirmed the presence of domesticated dogs in Harbin, China, around 13,000 years ago (Zhang et al., 2024).
It is very common for Chinese people to keep pets. The most common pets are of course cats and dogs; Keeping hamsters, parrots, goldfish, and turtles is also very common, but not as common as cats and dogs. A small number of people keep lizards, snakes, and other pets.
Yes, approximately 90% of people in China own their homes, making it one of the highest homeownership rates globally, a result of significant housing reforms starting in 1998 that privatized public housing, alongside strong cultural emphasis on owning property as a marker of stability and a prerequisite for marriage, though it's important to note ownership is of the building, not the land, which remains state-owned. Urban rates hover around 87%, while rural rates are over 95%, with many families owning multiple properties.
A society where problems are hidden rather than solved can appear “orderly,” but that order is often achieved through coercion and silence, not care and dignity. Homelessness exists, but it is made largely invisible through a mix of short-term containment, forced removal, and strict control over reporting.
With the exception of individuals with hunting permits and some ethnic minorities, civilian firearm ownership is restricted to non-individual entities. Law enforcement, military, paramilitary, and security personnel are allowed to use firearms. Police are to use issued pistols only to stop serious or dangerous crimes.
China does not ban dog breeds, however, there are breed restrictions in Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai. If a pet owner is traveling with a large dog breed to these cities, they should ensure their pet is allowed.
A new study has crowned Lithuania the most dog-loving country in the world, boasting the highest number of dogs per person globally. The United States also makes the top 10, though for slightly different reasons.
As dogs are largely considered man's best friend and often kept for companionship and protection, people view them as pets rather than food. After all, dogs are domesticated and not bred for consumption, unlike cows and pigs.
Pork is the most consumed meat in China. In 2023, the average Chinese consumer ate approximately 28 kg of pork annually, more than five times the per capita consumption of beef. To meet this strong domestic demand, China raises hundreds of millions of pigs, boasting the world's largest hog herd.
However, dogs are never included in lists of (ritually) unclean animals, and passages elsewhere indicate they did serve more positive roles. Job, for example, mentions in passing the dogs tending his flocks (30:1), and Isaiah refers to both sheep dogs and guard dogs (56:10–11).
Dogs and wolves have many outward similarities. After all, the two species descend from a common ancestor. In fact the two species share 98.8% of the same DNA. They can even interbreed (although their offspring are typically not fertile).
So how did the countries perform in 2020? Overall, the three countries that the 2020 VACI ranked the highest (i.e. the least cruel) were India, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Kenya. Those ranked the lowest were the United States, Australia and Belarus.
According to Petdata.cn, a pet industry market observer, the number of pet cats in China reached 69.8 million last year, a 6.8 percent year-on-year increase, surpassing the number of pet dogs by 18.05 million.
The Pekingese is an ancient breed with a history spanning thousands of years, tracing back to imperial China, where it was revered as a sacred companion and guard dog within the Forbidden City.
Findings from a study in the United Kingdom indicate that almost 75% of dogs in Britain exhibit signs of depression or anxiety, with 18% displaying symptoms on a weekly basis. Surprisingly, the study highlights that only 36% of owners are able to recognize these signals.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
The majority of both Sunni (except for the Maliki school) and Shi'a Muslim jurists consider dogs ritually saliva unclean. It is uncommon for practicing Muslims to keep dogs as pets.
Dogs in China still have a protective function, there are also service dogs, and dogs that serve as status symbols for some Chinese. However, just as here in the West, the vast majority of dogs in China are pet dogs who are viewed as companions and usually treated as family members.
US has highest dog population globally, followed by Brazil and China, reflecting diverse cultural attitudes and government policies on canine care. Globally, dog populations vary widely. India, with an estimated 1.53 crore stray dogs, is addressing a significant canine population issue.
A survey conducted in June 2016 by CAWA, HSI and Avaaz shows that 69.5 percent of people nationally say they have never eaten dog meat; 17.3 percent say that they consume dog meat once or twice per year; 6.4 percent eat it 3 to 5 times per year; 2.5 percent eat it up to 10 times a year.
Now that you have a little idea of what's involved in gun ownership when moving overseas, here are the 10 countries with the friendliest gun laws:
It's generally possible to buy a sword in China, although the type of sword you can buy and the process for doing so might vary. China has a long history and tradition of sword-making, particularly in the areas of longquan and shanxi, which are famous for their sword production.
China has strict gun control laws, and reports of gun violence are extremely rare. While some may be covered up by government censorship of negative news, knife attacks appear to be more common, as well as driving a vehicle into a crowd.