Who Is Erlang's Hound (Xiaotian Quan) (Howling Celestial Dog)?
Erlang Shen's loyal hunting dog
Xiaotian Quan
Erlang's Hound (Xiaotian Quan) is the hunting dog that accompanies Erlang Shen. In Chapter 6 of the original novel it is simply called a "slender hound," and only in later chapters is it called Xiaotian Quan. Besides the hound, Erlang also has a falcon.
At the end of the battle, when Laozi's Diamond Snare hits Wukong on the head and knocks him down, the hound rushes in and bites his leg. Before Wukong can get up, Erlang and his brothers pin him down, and he is finally captured.
The pairing of Erlang Shen and his hound is well known in China, and paintings and plays often show the dog at Erlang's side.
