Dog Style Kung Fu

Dog Style Kung Fu

Dog Style (Gou Quan) is a sister style to White Crane, developed around the same time as White Crane also in the Fujian province. Like White Crane it is said to have been invented by a woman, a Buddhist nun who developed the style to defend herself. As a result of foot binding, females were not able to get into the required low stances of many styles, therefore Dog Style catered for them by taking an opponent down to the ground.
Dog Style focuses on groundwork and includes a dramatic array of rolls, sweeps, kicks and breakfalls. The patterns and movements are very dynamic and effective as well as great fun to perform and watch. Dog Stylists are in their element taking an opponent to the ground, somewhere you don’t want to go if facing a Gou Quan stylist!
Continued and dedicated practice of Dog Style greatly improves a practitioner’s martial arts skills in many vital areas: skill, strength, flexibility, conditioning, focus and determination as well as giving a fantastic insight into a different and very exciting style.

Chief Instructor Russell Suthern demonstrating dog style technique.