All about the Chinese Shar-pei

This fascinating but challenging breed of ancient pedigree is steadfastly loyal to family, but standoffish with strangers. The Chinese Shar-Pei has physical characteristics that make him a one-of-a-kind companion and guardian dog. The compact, medium-sized Chinese Shar-Pei is an amalgam of odd physical traits: a broad 'hippopotamus' muzzle; a blue-black tongue; small, sunken eyes with a scowling expression; tiny triangular ears; abundant folds of loose skin about the head, neck, and shoulders; the tapered high-set tail'all blanketed by a harsh, sandpapery coat. (A literal translation of Shar-Pei: 'sand skin.') Shar-Pei are strong, regal, independent guardians famous for intelligence and loyalty. They are suspicious of strangers and other dogs. Shar-Pei are serene dogs, but they will meet a perceived threat with tenacity and vigor. Early training and socialization are essential'a dominant adult Shar-Pei without them is a serious problem waiting to happen.

The shar-pei is an ancient, unique, and once very rare dog breed from China, known for wrinkled skin, a blue-black tongue, and a bristle-like coat, all of which make this dog stand out from the crowd. This breed isn't best for novice dog parents, though. The shar-pei can also be prone to several health conditions.

Learn more about the shar-pei, from their temperament to their care needs.

GROUP: Non-Sporting

HEIGHT: 18 to 20 inches

WEIGHT: 35 to 45 pounds

COAT: Short and bristly

COAT COLOR: Various solid color shades include black, chocolate, blue, red, white, and cream

LIFE SPAN: 8 to 12 years

TEMPERAMENT: Devoted, loving, affectionate, reserved, independent

HYPOALLERGENIC: No

ORIGIN: China

The very intelligent shar-pei dog is independent, aloof, and guarded with people they don’t know. But they can also be a fiercely loyal and protective family companion who loves to snuggle.

They are often wary of other dogs and can have a high prey drive. For these reasons, they do better as the only pet in the household.

The shar-pei breed can vary greatly in appearance. Although the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize two distinct varieties, they are distinguished by some other international kennel clubs.

The older, traditional shape from China is referred to as the "bone-mouth" variety. They are taller, slimmer, and have much fewer wrinkles. The Westernized variety is referred to as the "meat-mouth" and is much stockier, has more wrinkles, and has a wider, fleshier head.

History of the Shar-Pei

The shar-pei has a very ancient history. It is not known quite how far back this goes, but some statues have a strong resemblance to the breed that date back to the time of the Hang Dynasty in China, over 2,000 years ago.

They may have been bred originally for their hunting and fighting prowess, and the wrinkles in their skin and roughness of their coat would have helped prevent their opponents from getting a grip. The name shar-pei is derived from the Cantonese translation of the words "sand skin."

During the communist revolution in China in the mid 20th century, their numbers dwindled so drastically that they almost became extinct. In the 1970s, a Chinese breeder sent an impassioned plea to American dog enthusiasts asking for help to save the breed. As a result of this, a select few dogs were sent over to the States and the breed had a resurgence in popularity.

They were then featured on the cover of LIFE magazine and were involved in many high profile ad campaigns. The demand for shar-peis during the 1970s and 1980s was so great from all of this attention that the breed suffered as a result of unscrupulous overbreeding.

The breed was officially recognized by the AKC in the late 1980s. Since then, while still cherished by enthusiasts, their popularity has waned somewhat and this has been of benefit to the breed in terms of responsible breeding programs being more common.