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 Chinese Shar Pei Information and Picture
Dog Breed Group
Non Sporing Group
History and Origin
The origin of the Chinese Shar-Pei can be traced to the province of Kwang Tung, China.
Works of art depicting a likeness to the Chinese Shar-Pei survive from the Han Dynasty(206BC to 220BC). DNA analysis has concluded that the Shar Pei is one of the most ancient dog breeds.
The name of Shar-Pei in Cantonese means to "sand skin," which refers to the texture of its short, rough coat. It is possible that the Shar-Pei originated in Tibet or the Northem Province of China about 20 centuries ago, when it was probably a much larger dog than it is now.
Some believed that they maybe descended from the same same origin of Chow Chow because of its black blue tongue.
Chinse Shar-Pei was lived up to its name of Chinese Fighting Dog for hundred years. It also good in hunting for wild pigs.
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Temperament
Shar-Peis are active, friendly and playful dogs, but they can be self-assured, serious, independent, stubborn and very much self-possessed.
They are devoted and very loyal and protective of their owners and families but they do not follow commands slavishly or show dependency.
Shar-Peis make a delightful companion and good watch dog which can be reserved, and very suspicious toward strangers.
They are silent and bark only when playing or worry. Shar-Pei generally hates water and try hard to avoid it.
They are very clean and almost housebreak themselves.
Owners of Sha-Peis should be a confident and calm handler to control and train Shar-Peis because their strong-willed manner.
When Shar-Pei is left wihtout any or with no clear leadership, it might decide to take over the rule of the house.
Shar-Peis need a lot of early socializaton and training as sometimes it could be a problem for them to mix with other dogs. However, some Shar-Peis which are show lines and less dominant tend to be mixing well with other dogs.
Description (Appearance)
The Shar-Pei is a compact dog with muscular, sloping shoulders and a broad and deep chest.
Shar-Pei has loose skin and wrinkles covering its forehead(but should not be in the way of its eyes), neck and body which are superabundant in puppies.
These features maybe limited to the head, neck and withers in the adult Shar-Peis.
They have a flat skull which is faily big in relationship to the body and its eyes are dark.
This breed has a variety of tails, but mainly screw-tails and tails with a double ring.
The coat of Shar-Peis is very short, harsh and bristly without an underlayer.
Solid color of black, blue black, black with a rusty sheen, brown, red and fawn are permissible for Shar-Peis.
A cream colored coat may occur too but it is not highly regarded.
Size
The height is 18 to 20 inches at the withers.
The weight is 45 to 60 pounds.
Living Conditions
Shar-Peis are suitable to live in an apartment if sufficient exercise is given.
Shar-Peis are very adaptable, which means that they feel at ease both in the city and in the country.
They are not suited as kennel dogs. They are fairly peaceful indoors.
Exercise demand
Shar-Peis have a considerable need for exercise, which include a daily walk. They do not mind if occasionally you do not have time to accompany them on long or exercise.
Health problem
The Shar Pei is known to have many different health issues.
Shar-Peis are prone to Familial Shar Pei fever (FSF), and swollen hock syndrome, (SHS).
painful eye condition, entropion, in which the eyelashes curl inward, irritating the eye. Untreated, it can cause blindness.
Major concerns: entropion, CHD
Minor concerns: patellar luxation, elbow dysplasia, demodectic mange
Occasionally seen: ciliary dyskinesia, renal amoidosis
Life Expectancy
About 7-10 years
Grooming
Shar-Peis should be brushed regularly.
They do not have an undercoat and their coat is never trimmed.
The "bush" coat sheds a little year round, but the "horse" coat tends to shed only during molting periods.
The owner must bath Shar-Pei about once a week and brush its coat everyday during molting.
This will remove the old dead hair and allow the new coat to grow in.
Special Concern
Shar-Peis are allergic to food products that contain soy.
The owner of Shar-Pei should never wash its head, because getting water into ears causes a lot of problems for Shar-Pei compare with other breeds.
They have very tiny ear canals and any moisture in the ears can cause major ear infections.
Recognition
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR
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