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This breed can be can be traced back to at least the time of the Han Dynasty which dates back almost 2000 years ago. For many years, there have been many excavation sites set up in Chongqing and the surrounding area, looking for artifacts in the Han Dynasty tombs.
In 1987, a few pottery dogs and burial figurines were found that greatly resemble the image of the CHONGQING DOG, thus proving the love of this breed even back then.
Chongqing dogs originated in the eastern region of Chongqing and Sichuan. This is a mountainous region, and relatively isolated from the outside world. Chongqing dogs are the result of long-term evolution and humans have seldom interfered with the natural reproduction of these dogs. They gradually formed unusual temperaments and personality characteristics unique to the breed. These dogs are very rare and most people outside of this region have never seen nor heard of a Chongqing Dog. Many of the locals are not even aware of their existence.
In historical Chongqing the dogs were owned mainly by prestigious officials, other "well to do" locals or rich farmers and hunters. The dogs have been found in small cities, such as Da Zu, Lin Shui and Guang An, surrounding Chongqing.
There have been a few minor developmental differences in these dogs as they evolved in these different areas. All have been used as security guards and for hunting and recreational purposes. The more outstanding specimens were used as status symbols and were almost ornamental in some of the yards in Chongqing. The more social dogs were used for hunting and some for visiting specialty nursing homes. Since the mid-20th century, Chongqing saw a steady decline in the number of dogs and dog breeding to the original true-type.
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