Commonly referred to as "the wrinkled dog", the CHINESE SHAR PEI is a loyal and wonderful companion. Shar Pei are regal, dignified and extremely intelligent. This breed thrives on love and attention and should NOT be thrown in the backyard and forgotten. Shar Pei are a pack or "family" animal and enjoy companionship. Being the intelligent breed they are, they can and will test you to see how far they can get. Therefore you should make it evident who the boss is! A firm but loving hand will help your Shar Pei reach it's full potential. It's never too early to start training! SOCIALIZATION IS ESSENTIAL! This includes interaction with strangers, puppy kindergarden, obedience, fun matches, frequent walks*....anything and everything will do! Your efforts will certainly be rewarded and your Pei will love you for it!
*make sure puppies are fully vaccinated before exposing them to potential harmful situations!
The Chinese Shar Pei, is an ancient and unique breed that has existed for centuries in the Southern Provinces of China, apparently since the Han Dynasty (c. 200 BC). Statues bearing a strong resemblance to the Shar Pei have been discovered and dated to this period.
Following the establishment of the People's Republic of China as a communist nation, the dog population of China was essentially eliminated. During this period a few Chinese Shar Pei were bred in Hong Kong, BC and in the Republic of China (Taiwan). The breed was not recognized by the Hong Kong Kennel Club until about 1968. Subsequently the Hong Kong and Kowloon Kennel Association established a dog registry and registered the Shar Pei. Today the breed is also registered in Taiwan, Japan, Korea and organizations in Europe, Canada and Great Britain. In the US a few were imported in 1966 from stock registered with the Hong Kong Kennel Club. Interest increased and the Chinese Shar Pei Club of America, Inc., held its first organizational meeting in 1974. On May 4, 1988 the breed was accepted into the Miscellaneous Class. Acceptance into the Non Sporting Group came on August 1, 1992.
information taken from AKC
Shar Pei pups are commonly dripping in wrinkles but should lose most of their wrinkling as they mature. Adult wrinkling should be limited to the area between the head, neck and withers. An overdone (dog having excess wrinkling) as an adult is incorrect to the STANDARD.
Shar Pei can be found in three different coats, only two being correct to the STANDARD:
HORSECOAT: Short and harsh; stands off from body
BRUSHCOAT: Longer than the HORSECOAT; should be just as harsh.
BEARCOAT: long and wavy in excess of one inch; this coat is INCORRECT to the STANDARD
*a soft or wavy coat in INCORRECT in any length*
*Did you know Shar is a type of gritty sand and pei means dog in Chinese? This emphasizes the importance of a correct coat in the Chinese Shar Pei!*
Shar Pei come in a Rainbow of Colors. Fawn/Red Fawn/Mahogany/Black/Chocolate/Apricot/Five Point Red/Lilac/Blue/Isabella/Cream/Sable. Many of these colors can be found in Dilute (no black pigmentation).
Shar Pei can be found in the flowered pattern, pointed, brindle and black and tan. (incorrect to the STANDARD).
