Si Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Dog (quǎn) 17 strokes Page 719, Entry 29 Tang Rhyme (Tangyun), Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), Dictionary of Rhymes (Yunhui), and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun) state the pronunciation is xian (rising tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen) defines it as a long-snouted dog. Er Ya: Explanation of Domesticated Animals states a long snout is called xian. Book of Odes (Shijing), Qin Wind section, mentions driving the xian and xieqiao. Shuowen Jiezi additionally states that one theory identifies it as a black dog with a yellow head. Guangyun states that during the Xia dynasty they were called Xunyu, and during the Zhou dynasty they were called Xianyun. Sometimes written in a variant form (xian). Yu Pian states the pronunciation is lian (rising tone). Guangyun and Jiyun state the pronunciation is lian (rising tone), meaning a dog with a long snout. Guangyun, Jiyun, and Zhengyun state the pronunciation is lian (falling tone). Jiyun states the pronunciation is lian (falling tone). Guangyun and Jiyun state the pronunciation is lian (level tone). The meaning remains the same.