doggiestylish

Chinese Shar-Pei History

The ancestry of the Shar-Pei is uncertain. It may be a descendant of the Chow Chow, however, the only clear link between these are the purple tongue. Pictures on pottery discovered at archaeological digs suggest the breed was present even in the Han Dynasty (206BC). For many years the Shar-Pei was kept as a general-purpose farm dog in the Chinese countryside, used for hunting, protecting & herding stock and guarding the home and family. Later, the Shar-Pei was used as a fighting dog, it's loose skin made it difficult for another dog to get a good grip on the Shar-Pei. During the Communist Revolution the Shar-Pei population dwindled dramatically. Dogs were rescued by a Hong Kong business man named Matgo Law, who appealed to Americans in 1973 through a dog magazine to save the breed. Around 200 Shar-Peis were smuggled into America and the current American Shar-Pei population stems mainly from those original 200. The breed was officially recognized by the AKC in 1991.

Chinese Shar-Pei Temperament

The Shar-Pei is an independent, reserved dog that is inherently suspicious of strangers. It does make a loyal family dog, but it is not recommended for small children. Since this breed independent, they can be difficult to train, they are a dog that needs a confident owner. This dog is a very low shedder which makes it a good choice for people that suffer from allergies. Dog aggression can also be a problem and these dogs must be socialized at an early age to make a good canine citizen.

Chinese Shar-Pei Appearance

Shar-Peis are a sturdy, medium sized dog that usually weighs between 45 to 06 pounds and stand 18 to 20 inches at the withers. They have very distinctive wrinkles on their face and body and have a curved tail that is carried over it's back. The coat of the Shar-Pei is short and rough to the touch and comes in colours varying from chocolate, black, red, sable, silver, fawn, and cream.

Chinese Shar-Pei Grooming

Grooming requirements for this breed are very low and a weekly brushing will suffice. The folds of the skin must be checked and cleaned weekly to prevent infections and sores.

Chinese Shar-Pei Life Expectancy and Health Problems

Common health problems that affect this breed are skin allergies, Entropion ( the eye lid rolling inward), Familial Shar-Pei fever ( fever and swelling of the hocks of the dog) and amyloidosis ( in which amyloid proteins are abnormally deposited in organs and/or tissues). Shar-Peis also commonly suffer from food allergies. The average lifespan of this breed is 8 to 12 years.

Famous Chinese Shar-Peis

One of the more famous Shar-Peis is Satchel from the comic strip Get Fuzzy

Chinese Shar-Pei Pros and Cons

This simplified list may help you decide if a Chinese Shar-Pei might be a good fit for your lifestyle.

Do You Want

• a dog with a distinctive appearance?
• a good watchdog?
• a dog that doesn't shed much?

Do You NOT Want

• a dog that is reserved and aloof by nature?
• a dog that can be quite aggressive towards other dogs?
• a dog that is inheriently suspicious around strangers?
• a dog that has a potential to suffer from serious health problems?

Useful Chinese Shar-Pei Links

The Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America

The Chinese Shar-Pei Club of Canada

The Sharpei Club of Hong Kong