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Breed Characteristics
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Chinese Shar-Pei
| Other Names | Shar Pei |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Weight | Males: 55 to 65 lbs. (25 to 29 kg) Females: 40 to 55 lbs. (18 to 25 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 18 to 22 in (46 to 56 cm) |
| Coat | There are three coat varieties: horse-coat, brush-coat and a rare bear-coat. Shar-Pei has an undercoat and a topcoat exceeding 1 inch. The popular theory about the bear-coat is that it's a "throwback" to the Chow-Chow.Horse-coat (unusual but regaining ground), rough to the touch, extremely prickly and off-standing, soft in one direction and harsh in the other; Brush-coat, with longer hair and a smoother feel; and Bear-coat (rare, and not recognized by the AKC; Bearcoats are due to the addition of other breeds). Examples of the breed were owned by the peasant class, and were used for working dogs and fighting due to their loose skin. Shar pei can be seen in Chinese art throughout history, and are considered to be one of the oldest dog breeds on earth. Western Shar Pei comes in three different coat types: horse, brush, and bear coat. The unusual horse coat is rough to the touch, extremely prickly and off-standing and is closer to the original traditional Shar Pei breed in appearance and coat type than the brush or bear coat. This coat is fairly prickly and can be rough or irritating when petting in the opposite direction of the fur. The horse coat is generally thought to be more active and predisposed to dominant behavior than the brush coat. The brush-coated variety have slightly longer hair and a smoother feel to them. The brush coat is generally considered to be more of a "couch potato" than the horse coat. This breed sheds normally twice a year. |
| Colour | Their pigmentation resemble the Chow Chow as they've been crossed before, probably giving them the same blue-black tongue. There are over sixteen recognized colours in AKC. The coat must be solid in colour, and any Shar-Pei with a "flowered coat" (spotted) or black and tan in colouration (i.e. German Shepherd) is a disqualification. Colours include black, blue, cream, fawn, red-fawn, red, sable, apricot, chocolate, and isabella. The nose may be black or brick (pink with black), with or without a black mask. A Shar-Pei can also have what is called a "dilute" colouration. Meaning the nose, nails and anus of the dog is the same colour as the coat, (i.e. chocolate coat with chocolate nose, nails and anus). All of these colour variations are acceptable and beautiful, but the coat colour must be solid and well blended throughout the whole body of the dog. |
| Litter Size | 4 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 9 - 10 years |
| Origin & History | The ancestry of the Shar-Pei is uncertain. Pictures on pottery suggest the breed had existed even as far back as 206 BC. It may be a descendant of the Chow Chow; however, the only clear link between the two breeds is the purple tongue. The name "Shar-Pei" means sandy coat. The dogs were used as multipurpose working farm dogs for the Chinese, hunting, tracking, as a ratter, herding, protecting stock, and guarding the home and family. The dogs happily worked all day long. It was also used in dog fighting events where the loose skin and extremely prickly coat made it hard for the other dog to grab onto. The Chinese believed that the image of the wrinkles and black pigmented mouth would scare off any evil spirits. During the Communist Revolution the Shar-Pei population dwindled. In 1973 a Hong Kong businessman named Matgo Law acquired a few of these dogs in an attempt to save the breed. He attracted people's attention through an American magazine. From those few dogs the Shar-Pei's numbers have risen tremendously and it is now one of the more popular breeds in the USA. The Chinese Shar-Pei was first recognized by the AKC in 1992. The breed has over 70,000 dogs registered as foundation stock. |
| Personality | The Shar-Pei is very loyal to its handler. Intelligent playful, active, dominant, and brave, It bonds with its family, but is not unfriendly toward strangers. If the dog meets cats and children while it is still young, it usually will not have a problem with them. The Chinese Shar-Pei is easy-going, calm, independent and devoted. It makes a delightful companion and a good watchdog. The Shar-Pei needs a confident handler. If you are uncertain, inconsistent, too soft or mild in the dog's eyes, it will take over as the boss. The Shar-Pei needs a firm, but gentle, extremely consistent authority figure. The dog must be taught all humans are above him in the pecking order. Those who see themselves as above humans will be stubborn and bold. This breed needs firm obedience training to establish your leadership. They may refuse commands from family members who have not established leadership over them. They need an owner who has the ability to be "Top Dog" The Shar-Pei is generally not fond of water and often tries to avoid it. This breed is very clean and one of the easier breeds to housebreak. Mixing other dogs can sometimes be a problem if one of the dogs is displaying dominant behaviors. Socialization is important. However, some Shar-Pei are less dominant then others and show lines tend to be less dog-aggressive, mixing well with other dogs. Some Shar-Pei tend to slobber, especially when in pain. It is important to find a reputable breeder when seeking a Shar-Pei. This breed was very popular in the 1980s. It was referred to as one of the "Yuppie Puppies," meaning it was one of the breeds that were carelessly over-bred. The dog's temperament depends on how the owner treats the dog. Dogs that are allowed to believe they are the boss over humans will develop behavior issues. Dogs that are not taken for daily pack walks will also begin to display a varying degree of issues. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Because of its popularity after being introduced to North America in the 1970s, the breed suffered much inexperienced or rushed breeding.[citation needed] This resulted not only in a dramatically different look for the Shar-Pei (as its most distinctive features, including its wrinkles and rounded snout, were greatly exaggerated), but also in a large number of health problems.[citation needed] The American breed club states that few Shar Peis make it to age 10 and has a longevity program that records dogs that live 10 years or more. Allergy-induced skin infections can be a problem in this breed. Familial Shar Pei fever (FSF) is a serious congenital disease that causes short fevers lasting from 24 hours, sometimes up to three days and is usually accompanied by accumulation of fluid around the ankles (called Swollen Hock Syndrome). These fevers may or may not recur at more frequent intervals and become more intense. Amyloidosis, a long-term condition, is most likely related to FSF, caused by unprocessed amyloid proteins depositing in the organs, most often in the kidneys or liver, leading eventually to renal failure. There is no early test for FSF, but as it is congenital, the dog is either born with it or without it, and if one attack occurs (usually brought on by improper diet, excessive emotional or physical stress), the dog will always be susceptible to another. With proper care, a Shar-Pei with FSF can live a completely normal and long life. Shar-Pei who demonstrate proclivity to fever episodes, should never be allowed to eat any soy products, beef, or rawhide treats. Treatment for fever and swollen hocks is the use of NSAIDs, such as Rimadyl or Carprofen, every twelve hours to bring down the fever and reduce hock swelling. FSF episodes can last up to several days, during which the dog is lethargic, feverish, and has no appetite. Once the episode has passed and the dog is eating again, switching to a lamb and rice, soy-free kibble will help mitigate future fever episodes. The disease is associated with the western type and it is estimated that 23% are affected. The Australian breed standard was changed in 2009 to discourage breeding for heavy wrinkling. A common problem is a painful eye condition, entropion, in which the eyelashes curl inward, irritating the eye. Untreated, it can cause blindness. This condition can be fixed by surgery ("tacking" the eyelids up so they will not roll onto the eyeball for puppies or surgically removing extra skin in adolescent and older Shar Pei). In Australia, more than 8 in 10 Shar Peis require surgery to correct eye problems. The Shar-Pei is also prone to chronic yeast infections in its ears. This is due to tight inner ear structure with a wrinkled appearance, making cleaning very difficult; exacerbated by the tight "flap" that the ear creates over the canal, promoting a moist environment. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is a common problem in the Shar Pei and is suspected to be hereditary. |
| Grooming | The Shar-Pei should be brushed regularly. Their coat is never trimmed. This breed does not have an undercoat. The "bush" coat sheds a little year round, but the "horse" coat tends to shed only during molting periods. Molting may leave the dog looking unkempt. Bathing about once a week and brushing the coat daily during this period will remove the old dead hair and allow the new coat to grow in. The harsh coat can sometimes cause a problem with people who are prone to allergies. |
| Exercise | The Chinese Shar-Pei has a considerable need for exercise, which includes a daily walk. While out on the walk, the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Do not over exercise them in the heat, as they are sensitive to it. |
| Other Considerations | The Chinese Shar-Pei will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is moderately active indoors and will do okay without a yard. The Shar-Pei is sensitive to warm weather, partly due to the wrinkles on its head holding in the heat. On hot days shade should always be provided. Water should be available at all times. Provided they get enough exercise, they will be very peaceful indoors. |
