Shar Pei Breed description: Character & Co
Shar Pei
Facts & Origin
With a Shar-Pei you bring a very strong-willed but absolutely lovable character into your home. Over here, this old Chinese breed is still very rare. Trademarks of the Shar-Pei are their small ears and the extremely wrinkled face.
The origin of the Shar-Pei
The history of the Shar-Pei breed can be traced back to 200 BC. Dogs of this type can be seen on Chinese art objects and vases dating back to the Han Dynasty. Researchers suspect that the Shar-Pei is a cross between Chow-Chow and European Mastiff, which came to Asia by sea trade.
Once, the Shar-Pei was a noble companion of the great Chinese rulers and the fine society. After times were it was used as a hunting and social dog, it became the watchdog of the regional farmers. Later, the Shar-Pei was even used in dog fights. This past brought him the nickname "Chinese fighting dog". In the 1970s, it is said to have almost died out. Only one single specimen still lived in China. Some of these unusual animals had been exported to the USA. With their Shar-Pei today's breeding was finally founded.
| Alternate Name | Cantonese Shar Pei, Shar-Pei, Chinese Shar-Pei, Chinese Shar Pei, Chinese Shar-Pei |
| Origin | China |
| Life expectancy | 9 - 11 years |
| Care requirements | low-maintenance |
| Activity level | average |
| FCI group | Molossian type |
| AKC group | non-sporting group |
| KC group | utility group |
Attitude, character and temperament of the breed
The typical characteristics of the Shar-Pei
The Shar-Pei has a mind of its own, but not unapproachable. It get attached to a person or a family. It can be dismissive or very suspicious of strangers. When they recognise you, they are a lovable cuddly dog, but they are in need of a safe guidance. Under their wrinkles there is definitely a distinctive character! When the dog has something else in mind, it may even refuse to go along with your plans entirely. If you want to win the heart of a Shar-Pei, you must be just as stubborn and resourceful. It is best to get a Shar-Pei puppy used to many situations and other people from a very early age. That way, you will have a dog that is friendly and open towards the world surrounding them.
- can have a mind of its own
- connects to "its" people
- with clear guidance it is lovable and cuddly
- should be well socialised
Character
Usage
Health and breeding information
Typical diseases of the Shar-Pei breed
Among the main problems of this breed are pathological skin changes caused by the wrinkles. If moisture or parasites accumulate between the sometimes huge skin folds, eczema or suppuration can occur.
Occasionally, Shar-Peis suffer from the heart disease "respiratory sinus arrhythmia" and rheumatic "amyloidosis".
- Skin problems due to wrinkles
- Respiratory sinus arrhythmia
- Amyloidosis
Acquisition, breeding and keeping of the Shar Pei
You can get a Shar-Pei puppy for about 500 Euro or more. You can find good Shar-Pei breeders at "Shar-Pei Club e. V.". If you don't want to buy a Sharpei, but want to adopt one, the "Sharpei Nothilfe" might be the right address for you.
Before you buy a dog, you should consider carefully whether you have enough time for this dog. If you leave them alone too often, they can develop a strange character and become quite difficult to handle.
Some years ago the Shar-Pei was classified as a fighting dog in some German regions because of its breed history. But nowadays, this has become obsolete.
In Austria and Switzerland, there are also no regulations for the keeping of the peaceful Shar-Pei.
- Prize for puppies starts at 500 Euros
- also available in animal shelters
- not considered a list dog
The breed characteristics of the Shar-Pei
Typical are the strongly wrinkled head and the small, folded down ears. These special breed characteristics probably go back to its time as a fighting dog. Because of the big folds, bites did not get through so easily. The ears could also not be injured so quickly due to their small size.
The distinctiveness of the wrinkles depends on the breeding line. Many young Shar-Peis only have a very wrinkled head and an otherwise very athletically built torso. With increasing age, the wrinkles can become more pronounced.
At the low times of Shar-Pei breeding, the number of wrinkles was so high, especially in puppies, that the fur over their ears had to be stitched together. Otherwise it would have covered the eyes completely. At times, breeding lines had formed in the USA, which let this noble dog degenerate to an accumulation of greasy skin bulges. This course has been corrected until now.
Dedicated Shar-Pei breeders helped the dog to regain its original natural characteristics through a modified breeding selection. Since the 1990s, stricter breed standards have been in place to avoid torture breeding. The FCI lists the Shar-Pei in Group 2, Section 2 Mollossoids and further under 2.1 Great Dane dogs.
- medium sized dog with many wrinkles
- small triangular ears that fold downwards
- eyes sometimes disappear under the wrinkles
- officially belongs to the category of Mollossoids
Appearance and coat of the Shar Pei
The Shar Pei is an expressive medium-sized dog. Over here, you mostly come across the short-haired type. There are also long-haired breeding lines with a hair length of up to 3 cm. "Shar Pei" means "dog with sand skin", which is an allusion to the rough coat. The coat colour can be creamy brown, silver-grey, blue-black or brown. This dog even exists in the colour white, even if this is extremely rare.
Their physique is stable and looks very sublime thanks to the long legs. The torso shows off its muscular build. This dog always carries its tail curled up over their back. From the Chow-Chow it has inherited the blue or slightly purple tongue.
Size, weight and life expectancy of the Shar Pei
The Shar Pei is a medium sized dog. The differences between sexes is very little pronounced in this breed.
- Shoulder height males approx. 46 to 51 cm
- Weight males approx. 20 to 27 kg
- Shoulder height bitches approx. 44 to 48 cm
- Weight bitches approx. 18 to 25 kg
- Life expectancy 9 to 11 years
| Fur length | short |
| Fur | flat coated |
| Ear shape | Triangle |
| Tail | rolled up |
| Anatomy | massive, square, hefty |
| Size ♀ | 46 - 51 cm |
| Weight ♀ | 18 - 25 kg |
| Size ♂ | 46 - 51 cm |
| Weight ♂ | 25 - 30 kg |
| Suitable For | - |
Colors
Known Diseases
Amyloidosis
Amyloidosis refers to a group of diseases that share a common feature: the pathological abnormal deposition of a fibrous protein called amyloid in various tissues of the body. Several organs are often involved.
Skin inflammations
Can be hereditary in certain breeds.
FAQ
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No, the Shar-Pei is neither a fighting dog nor a listed dog in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
-
A Shar-Pei puppy costs about 1700 Euro. If it should be a blue line or generally a special coloring, it can be over 2000 euros.
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How to call the dogs with wrinkles is probably clear here: Shar Pei or also wrinkle dog.
Other medium dogs
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