Shar-Pei

History:

A native of China, the Shar-Pei’s ancestry is draped in oblivion. Written documentation does not exist and the information available is from speculations and theories. The two theories in circulation claim that the breed descended from either the Chow-Chow or the ancient Mastiffs. Shar-Pei and Chow Chow did exist as contemporaries and bear an obvious similarity in structure, plus they are the only two breeds who possess the blue-black tongue pigmentation.

R.G. Harsnell of Hong Kong, wrote in an article “The Mastiff Connection“, that one or more varieties of the strain Mastiff figures in the make-up of the breed. Its characteristics such as physical structure and range of coat colour indicate large ancestral stock. The Shar-Pei puppy grows rapidly as a giant breed from puppyhood to adolescence. Whatever the genealogy, it is generally accepted that the breed existed in southern provinces of China. The birth place is assumed to be the village of Dah-Let (Tai Leh) near Canton. The villagers were fond of dog fighting as a gambling sport. As trade routes were open during the Han Dynasty it is assumed that the blood of foreign fighting dogs were introduced in the Shar-Pei. The breed was also bred by the pheasants as a guarding and accomplce in hunting. Dog ownership gradually declined after the Han Dynasty. Constant wars and drought lead to the steep decrease. The final blow to the breed and all other Chinese dogs came when after the Communist take over in late 1940s, the late Mao Ts Tung ordered a mass slaughter of pet dogs as he thought that theywere a symbol of the useless privileged class. This extermination sal, almost the complete extinction of Chinese dogs of various breeds, including the Shar-Pei. Few dogs were smuggled into Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao and by 1970, the Shar-Pei was named as the world’s rarest breed in Guiness Book.

In 1965, a nucleus of enthusiasts, searched for the remaining breed specimen to save it from extinction. Mr C M Cheung and Mr. Matgo Law were early breeders in Hong Kong from where the first couple of dogs were imported in North America. The early breeders in Taiwan and Hong Kong strove to breed first for type and then for soundness. Once they were consistent in maintaining type, a breed standard was set to guide future fanciers towards the ideal. Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America (CSPCA) was formed in April 1974 and the club held their first specialty in 1978.

Essentials of the Breed:

A Shar-Pei is a square bodied dog. An adult dog is not as much wrinkled over the entire body as puppies are. In adults the wrinkling is limited on the head and shoulders and is minimal on the rest of the body. The preferred height at the shoulders is 18-20 inches with a weight of around 40-55 pounds. Only solid coloured dogs are acceptable together with slight shading of the same colour. Albino, brindles, spotted shades and black tan combined colours are a disqualification. The tail is thick and rounded at the base and must curl forward. The ears should be small and set tightly to the skull, never flying or straight up.The coat is extremely short and harsh to touch.

Character:

The personality of each Shar-Pei is unique as his appearance. He is not an aggressive dog rather a dignified thinker who assesses the situation and makes up his own mind for the appropriate reaction. They love children and accept any amount of handling and playing from a child. They exhibit quite a patience and exceptional eyesight.

Tags: chinese dogs, Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America, Chow Chow, dog breed, dog breeds, fighting dogs, Mastiff, mastiffs, pet dogs, shar pei puppy, Shar-Pei