Chinese Shar-Pei

History

Artwork indicating the existence of the Chinese Shar-Pei even during 206 BC, makes knowing the exact origin of this breed harder to identify. Theories pointing all fingers to the Chow-Chow breed, based on the common "black tongue" trait, we at least know for a fact that the Chinese Shar-Pei was born in China. This breed was used for fighting, guarding, and hunting.

Appearance

The Chinese Shar-Pei doesn't have a face for everyone. Built very square in appearance, with a lot of extra skin, wrinkles, and a rough short coat of hair, described by owners as "prickly", this breed is built very solid and strong. Small triangular ears frame its large rectangular face, a large nose, and short curly tail are just a few special traits of this breeds appearance. Surprisingly enough, this breed is available in 3 different kinds of coats, all which include very strong hair, however each of the horse, brush and bear coat is different. Most owners tend to have a "brush" coat Chinese Shar Pei, as this is the "softest" of coat type for this breed. Available in black, blue, cream, fawn, red, peach, chocolate and more, commonly only solid colors but also available in a spotted color pattern. Color of nose will actually vary per dog, depending on color. This breed has very large, thick wrinkles covering their face that require special care and daily attention. Males and females generally measuring 15-17 inches in height and weighing 40-55 pounds in weight.

Temperament

This breed is generally recommended for households without children, small dogs or other pets. This breed is independent, hard headed, persistent and can enjoy pushing limits. The Chinese Shar Pei is only recommended for an owner with dog experience and who is able to properly train a dog. With proper training and socialization, this breed can be an asset to any family. The Chinese Shar-Pei will naturally be a guard dog in any home, and will always be protective when it comes to strangers at the door or company he or she is not used to. Loyal and affectionate, this breed is known for being quite quiet indoors and only letting out a few barks when in a playful mood or in a situation with strangers. A persistent owner who is patient, repetitive, calm, firm and uses positive reinforcement training methods is required for this breed.

Grooming

Cleaning of all wrinkles twice a day, (morning and night) to ensure all dirt and dead skin particles are constantly being removed gently and correctly. Proper education on cleaning their wrinkles is highly recommended prior to adding a Chinese Shar-Pei to your family. Daily brushing and wipe down is recommended, as well as regular ear cleaning and bathing when needed. Please note to check ears for unusual warmth or redness, as this indicates a yeast infection forming. Without immediate care to yeast infections, permanent damage to skin will be caused. Yeast infections on skin or inside of ears are extremely uncomfortable for any breed.

Special Notes

Prone to skin infections, allergies, Shar Pei Fever (extreme fevers lasting 24 hours), eye issues, skin yeast infections, and a B -12 deficiency. Please fully educate yourself about this breed to make sure this is the correct breed of choice for your family. Please make sure you are able to afford and properly care for this breed as it can be expensive, and as always, make sure you are able to make a life long commitment to your new pup. Do not add this breed to your home unless you are able to provide life long physical and financial care. All dogs originate from wolves (Canis Lupus). Each breed of dog was originally created by mixing different breeds together in an effort to bring forth certain characteristics. Once a breeder has created acceptable “breed characteristics” within their bloodline and these “breed characteristics” have shown to be reliably reproduced in the offspring for three (3) generations, the bloodline may be upgraded from the category of “foundation stock” to “pure-bred”. The same “pure-bred” breed standards vary from different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders. Dog DNA testing companies can have accurate results for a specific bloodline of a small colony of dogs. However, there are tens of thousands of different bloodlines in the world which have not yet been tested for marker baseline results by Dog DNA testing companies as of 2017. For this reason Dog DNA testing companies do not guarantee the 100% accuracy of their breed lineage results and will also show different marker results for the same pure-bred breed in different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders.