Introduction to the Shar-Pei Breed
English name: Chinese Shar Pei
Other names: Dalai Dog, Fighting Dog, Chinese Fighting Dog
Origin: China
Intelligence rank: 51st place
Size: Medium-sized dog
Price range: approx. $150 USD
Shoulder height: 46-51 cm (18-20 inches)
Weight: 16-20 kg (35-44 lbs)
Coat type: Short hair
Roles: Gun dog, Guard dog, Watchdog
The Origin and Development of the Shar-Pei
The Shar Pei is an ancient and distinctive breed that hails from Dali Town, a small village in Guangdong Province. This breed has been present in southern China for thousands of years, with its origins tracing back to the Han Dynasty. Archaeologists have uncovered sculptures from the Han Dynasty that bear a striking resemblance to the Shar Pei. Additionally, a 13th-century Chinese manuscript describes a dog with numerous wrinkles, very similar to the Shar Pei.The name “Shar Pei” translates literally to “sand skin,” but it is often more freely translated as “rough, sandy coat” or “sandpaper-like coat.” These descriptions highlight the breed’s unique coat characteristics: rough and short fur. This distinctiveness makes the Shar Pei one of the most unique breeds globally.Interestingly, the Shar Pei shares a rare trait with only one other breed—the Chow Chow—they both have blue-black tongues. This might indicate a shared ancestry between these two breeds, although proving this connection is challenging.
The history of the Shar-Pei’s development remains somewhat unclear. Originally, this breed was seldom seen in urban areas on the Chinese mainland, with only a few Shar-Peis found in remote rural regions. During this time, however, some Shar-Peis were still being bred in places like Hong Kong, the British Council of Churches, and Taiwan.
In 1968, the Hong Kong Kennel Club officially recognized and registered the Shar-Pei breed. Following this, the Hong Kong and Kowloon Kennel Association set up a dog registry specifically for the Shar-Pei and has been registering them ever since. Furthermore, registries in countries like Japan, South Korea, Canada, the United Kingdom, and various other European nations have also acknowledged this breed.
In the United States, the history of the Shar-Pei breed dates back to 1966 when some dogs registered with the Hong Kong Kennel Club were brought over. On October 8, 1970, J.C. Smith registered this breed with the American Kennel Club. During a period when Hong Kong laws mandated a reduction in household pets, there were calls in America for dog enthusiasts to “save the Chinese Shar-Pei.” This sparked immense interest and strong reactions due to the breed’s rarity. By fall 1973, only a few Shar-Peis had made it to America. The recipients of these dogs decided unanimously to form an international Shar-Pei club and registry organization. The Chinese and American Shar-Pei clubs held their inaugural meeting in 1974 and have continued ever since. In 1978, they hosted their first international specialty show, which has become an annual event.
The China Animal Protection Association endorses the registration of this breed and strongly advocates for this unique and charming family dog. By May 1988, the Shar-Pei had been accepted into the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Miscellaneous Class, with a total of 29,263 dogs registered. In October 1991, the Chinese Shar-Pei received full recognition from the AKC and was categorized under the Non-Sporting Group.
Shar-Pei Morphological Characteristics and Identification
The Shar-Pei is an ancient breed originating from China, renowned for its distinctive wrinkled skin. Here are some key morphological characteristics and identification methods for the Shar-Pei:
- Head: The Shar-Pei has a broad and flat head with prominent wrinkles on the forehead.
- Eyes: The eyes are small, deep-set, almond-shaped, and usually dark in color.
- Ears: The ears are small, triangular, and inclined forward.
- Nose: The nose is broad, often black or dark in color.
- Mouth and Tongue: The mouth is wide and strong, with a tongue that is typically blue-black.
- Body: The body is compact and sturdy with a straight back.
- Skin and Coat: The skin is loose with abundant wrinkles, especially on the head and shoulders. The coat is short and rough.
When identifying a Shar-Pei, pay attention to these features along with its unique temperament and behavior traits. Shar-Peis generally exhibit an independent, confident, and alert personality.
Shar Pei personality traits
A very cheerful temperament, combined with gentleness and loyalty.
[Major Flaws]
Deviating from a scissor bite.
Tongue with spots.
Soft or wavy coat, coat longer than 1 inch at the withers, or a trimmed coat.