About Chinese Shar-Pei

The Chinese Shar Pei (also known as the Shar Pei or Shar-Pei) is a dog originally bred for dog fighting. "Shar Pei" means "sand skin." They only became known in the United States in the 1970s. They are famous for being incredibly wrinkly. Many Shar-Peis are abandoned each year once the cute puppy phase wears off and people realize what a strong and stubborn dog they've got. Shar-Peis do not make good dogs for first-time dog owners.

  1. History

    • Art from the Han Dynasty in China portrays wrinkly dogs around 206 BCE. This suggests that Shar-Peis may be one of the oldest breeds of dog in China. They are thought to descend from the Chow Chow. The breed was nearly wiped out during the Cultural Revolution, but Hong Kong breeders kept the breed going. The first Shar-Peis were not exported until 1966. They were the must-have "yuppie dog" of the 1980s in America. The American Kennel Club did not recognize the breed until 1988.

    Function

    • These dogs were bred to fight other dogs. This is why their skins are so wrinkly and loose -- so the Shar-Pei can be bitten without having the organs hurt, so they can keep on fighting. They have also been used as guard dogs and pack animals. There have been many Shar-Peis that made good pets, but they need to live with people experienced with big dogs.

    Size

    • Shar-Peis are considered sometimes considered large dogs and sometimes only medium-sized dogs. They average 18 to 20 inches tall at the highest point of their shoulders. Their average weight is 30 to 40 pounds, but many larger dogs have been reported.

    Identification

    • Built like a small Mastiff, the Shar-Pei has small, wrinkly ears and a blunt muzzle. The eyes are tiny and the face and neck full of wrinkles. The coat can be smooth-haired, long (called "bear coats") or something in between. Their tails are tightly curled over their rumps. Their limbs are thick and sturdy. They come in a wide variety of colors. They have a blue-black tongue. Chow Chows are the only other dog breed to have this color tongue.

    Misconceptions

    • The puppies are incredibly wrinkly, but Shar-Peis will loose most of those wrinkles, except for the face and neck. Also, they may look lazy, but they need a lot of exercise.

    Warning

    • Shar Peis have a lot of health problems. The most serious is inverted eyelids (entropion). The face wrinkles often have to be surgically altered so the dog can see. They are also prone to skin problems, hip dysplasia and kidney problems. They also tend to be aggressive to other dogs.

    Theories/Speculation

    • There are only abut 70,000 Shar Peis in the world today, which is considered not enough of a gene pool to keep the breed alive. Their physical problems seem to be increasing with each generation of puppies.