Shar Pei Dog Breed Information

General Information:

Average Height: 18-20 in
Average Weight: 45-60 lbs
Average Life Span: 8-12 yrs
Coloring: All solid colors; darker shading on ears and down back is acceptable
Area of Origin: China
Similar Breeds: Chow Chow, English Bulldog

History and Origin:

One of the oldest dog breeds in the world, evidence of Shar Pei- type dogs is present in Han Dynasty pottery, dating back to 200 BC. The Shar Pei was a general farm dog in China, and was used for a variety of purposes including herding, guarding, and hunting. It became known as a fighting dog due to its rough coat and loose skin, making it hard for other dogs to grab onto. Even though the breed could fulfill many roles and was even viewed as semi-divine by some (due to its blue tongue), the Shar Pei nearly became extinct in the late 1940s when the People’s Republic of China was formed. Only the dedication of a man named Matgo Law of Hong Kong prevented the Shar Pei from disappearing. He attempted to garnish American favor for the breed by publicizing it in magazines, and in 1973 approximately 200 Shar Peis were smuggled out of China to the United States. The Shar Pei was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1992, and is now one of the most popular breeds in North America.

Personality and Temperament:

The Shar Pei is incredibly loyal, intelligent, and courageous. It is not overly friendly with strangers, but is pleasant and polite with them. Due to its history as a working dog, the Shar Pei tends to be quite independent and strong-willed, and needs confident leadership to encourage its positive personality traits. If given proper instruction and leadership, the Shar Pei becomes extremely attached to its owner, preferring to be with him or her even over other dogs. The Shar Pei does have a tendency of becoming aggressive toward other dogs if not properly socialized, and is not an ideal dog for the nervous or first-time owner.

Exercise & Training:

The Shar Pei has a surprising amount of energy and needs at least one long daily walk to keep it happy and healthy. While it may be a member of the “non-sporting group” with the American Kennel Club, it cannot be forgotten that the Shar Pei was originally a working farm dog, and as such thrives in an environment in which it is constantly stimulated. The Shar Pei can adapt to apartment living, but it is a very good watch dog and may bark excessively if not raised properly. Due to its somewhat stubborn nature and predisposition to aggression toward other dogs, the Shar Pei needs a highly structured, consistent training program in order to encourage it to be the loving companion it can be. It is extremely intelligent, and as such will pick up on commands very quickly, but it needs to view its handler as dominant, or behavior issues may occur.

Grooming:

The Shar Pei can have one of two coat types: the “brush” coat (smooth and longer hair) and the “horse” coat (short, bristly, and rough to the touch). The brush-coated Shar Pei will shed minimally year-round, while the horse-coated dog will only shed in the spring and the fall. A good brushing a few times a week will keep the skin healthy. When the horse-coated Shar Pei is shedding, more extensive brushing is required to help remove the dead hair. Bathe only when necessary, however wipe around the folds of the face and body daily to keep it clean.

Similar Breeds:

Genetically, the Shar Pei is placed in one of the four categories of ancient dog breeds (other than the wolf), with the Shiba Inu, Akita, and Chow Chow. Apart from this analysis, there is little evidence to suggest how the Shar Pei was developed, or which breeds are most closely related to it. It is likely that the Chow Chow is a close cousin, as the two breeds share a unique blue tongue. As a fighting dog, it also shares characteristics with the Bulldog and other Mastiff-types.

Interesting Facts about the Shar Pei:

1. The name Shar Pei in Cantonese translates to “sand skin”, referring to the rough texture of the dog’s coat.

2. Known for its wrinkles, the Shar Pei slowly loses them as it ages.

3. While the Shar Pei is of Chinese origin, Western breeding has developed a type that is different in appearance to the traditional dog; the Western Shar Pei is called “meat-mouthed”, and the Chinese Shar Pei, “bone-mouthed”.

4. Soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria own a Shar Pei named Barnaby.