Recently in Hebei Province, China, a dog named Changmao (which means long hair in China) has gone viral due to its unique demeanour and commanding presence. Admirers online have reverently dubbed it the dog king.

A video shows that during a chaotic dogfight, Changmao calmly walks into the fray. The previously aggressive and noisy dogs immediately fall silent and submit in its presence. A fierce black doberman lies down submissively, a strong German shepherd turns and walks away, and an instigator is pinned down under Changmao, too intimidated to move.

Changmao lives in a rural animal shelter in Hebei, run by its owner. It is a Xiashi dog, a world-class Chinese hunting breed. Now about three years old, Changmao was only three months old when adopted. Although not particularly large or muscular, its long fur and composed, intelligent temperament make it stand out. It never barks unnecessarily or shows off. Instead, it has an aura of quiet dominance—calm in the face of conflict, yet effortlessly commands respect from other dogs.

Changmao never bullies smaller dogs. Whenever a troublemaker appears, it immediately steps in to intervene, often without needing to act aggressively. This has earned it praise online: “It may not look impressive, but its authority is unmatched.”

According to the shelter owner, who sees rescuing and caring for stray dogs as a hobby, the shelter houses dozens of dogs, mostly local Chinese breeds. Changmao grew up in this multi-dog environment and gradually rose to dominance. It was named Changmao because it belongs to the long-haired variety of Xiashi dogs.

When Changmao was adopted, it was the smallest and weakest in the pack and was frequently bullied by the then alpha, a large, older Chinese rural dog named Datou (big head). Unlike others, Changmao never submitted. From puppyhood, it endured frequent fights and honed its strength. After about eight months of rising through the ranks, it defeated Datou in a final showdown and took over as the new alpha.

In daily life, Changmao and his “brothers” roam freely in a rural courtyard. The dogs play, guard the house, and occasionally squabble over food, but Changmao acts as the big brother, keeping order. The owner says Changmao is never aggressive toward people or smaller dogs—it is gentle and friendly. It only intervenes when adult male dogs cause trouble, making it both respected and beloved.

Though it lives in the countryside, Changmao’s environment is far from harsh. It has a spacious yard to roam and the companionship of its pack and human caretaker. In real life, Changmao enjoys a free and healthy life.