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Chinese
Shar-Pei History:
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The Chinese
Shar-Pei originated in China. Little is known about this breeds lineage.
They were used to guard sheep and other livestock, as well as being used
for dog fighting. It also once served as foo for the table. It was listed
in the Guinness Book of Records in 1978 as the worlds rarest breed. This
made the Shar-Pei known world wide. Today is is bred as a unique house
pet.
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Key Characteristics:
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Compact,
powerfully active, and squarely built, the Shar-Pei has a short back with
slightly concave top line. A broad, deep chest. Heavily boned straight
fore legs; muscular, somewhat angular hindquarters; hind dew claws
that are removed; hare feet with thick, springy pads; fine wrinkles on
the face, forming dewlaps; a rather large head with a broad, flat skull
and moderate stop; a charactirstically rather long, broad square muzzle;
a large, wide nose, permeably black; a scissor bite; meduim-sized dark
almond-shaped eyes lying forward on the skull; and small, high set triangular
ears. The loose, heavy wrinkled skin should have a harsh, straight brush
like coat. and be a solid color such as black, red, fawn, creme and so
on. White markings are undesirable. Highly affectionate, but calmly disposed,
the Shar-Pei loves to play with children and makes a good house pet and
guard dog.
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Males: 18
- 20 Inches
40 - 51
lbs.
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Females:
16 - 18 Inches
35 - 44
lbs.
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Care and
Exercise:
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Because
of this breed's loose skin, starting from puppyhood the coat, including
the face, needs to be brushed with a stuff brush nad strongly massaged
with a towel. Regular daily exercise on a lead should emphasize pulling,
but not necessarily speed.
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