A shelter dog in northern China has become an internet sensation for his calm and confident behavior. Online fans have nicknamed him “King Charles” for his quiet but strong leadership.
In a popular video, a beige dog peacefully controls a group of other dogs. Without barking, he gently places his paw on the neck of a tense dog, stopping a conflict. The other dogs show respect by lowering their bodies. When one dog tries to fight back, the others quickly warn him with a bite.
The dog’s name is Changmao, which means “long hair.” He was born in 2021. At three months old, he was taken to a rescue shelter in rural Hebei province after his owner died in an accident.
At the shelter, Changmao was often bullied by the pack’s former leader, a brown and black dog called Big Head, known for his aggression. But after eight months, Changmao challenged Big Head and won, knocking out two of Big Head’s teeth. He then became the new leader of the pack.
In another video, Changmao is resting when he hears barking far away. He gets up to check and is followed by his loyal pack. When a large black Doberman sees him, it immediately lowers itself to show respect. Just Changmao’s presence stops a fight between two dogs arguing over food.
These videos come from a popular social media account called “Bearded Uncle’s Dog Tribe,” which has more than 300,000 followers.
Bearded Uncle, who runs the shelter with over 100 stray dogs, told The Paper that Changmao skillfully manages ongoing fights over food, territory, and mates. He always works to keep peace among the dogs.
Bearded Uncle thinks Changmao is a mixed breed, possibly part Xiasi. The Xiasi dog is a hunting breed from southwestern China, known for its striking look and skill in hunting wild boars.
Recently, Bearded Uncle shared a story about a black dog that escaped from the shelter. After five days of searching with no luck, they brought Changmao along. Changmao marked the trail with urine, creating a scent path. The next day, the lost dog followed this trail back to the shelter.
“Changmao may not be the strongest fighter,” Bearded Uncle said, “but he is very smart and a great leader.”
Videos of Changmao have been viewed over 300 million times online. Fans have created many memes celebrating his confidence and calm leadership, calling him “King Charles.”
One commenter said, “Changmao is the first Chinese internet celebrity dog to gain global fame.” Another wrote, “He earned his kingdom on his own. His scars are his medals.” A third praised Bearded Uncle, saying, “He has saved many stray dogs like Changmao from being killed.”
According to the White Paper on the Pet Industry, China had about 40 million stray dogs last year. There are frequent reports of stray dogs being killed or eaten. Most parts of China still do not have laws banning dog meat consumption.