The Chinese Shar-Pei name roughly
translates to "draping sand paper like skin" in Chinese where
he was known as the "Chinese Fighting Dog". In 1978 the
Guinness Book of Records listed Chinese Shar-Pei as the world's rarest
dog. Today there is a renewed interest in Chinese Shar-Pei as a unique
family pet. A one family dog, he is suited for both urban and city
living, but he does not kennel well. The Shar-Pei loose wrinkled skin
gives him an appealing frowning, sad look, which is a false appearance.
Once used for fighting he is now a well-mannered, friendly dog with an
easy going nature, but may show aggression towards other dogs.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 has a frowning expression,
but is surprisingly easy-going, calm, independent, and devoted. They
make a delightful companion and good watchdogs. The Shar-Pei needs a
confident handler. If you are too uncertain, too inconstant, too soft,
or too mild in the dog's eyes, it will take over as the boss. Shar-Pei
need firm, but gentle and extremely consistent training. They are
stubborn and bold and need firm obedience training to establish your
leadership. They may refuse commands from family members who have not
established leadership over them.These dogs are very clean and almost
housebreak themselves. Shar-Pei generally hate water and try as hard as
they can to avoid it. Puppies grow very quickly and must be fed
accordingly. Mixing other dogs can sometimes be a problem and
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. A lot
of this breeds personality and health depends on the lines it comes from.
Good Shar-Pei lines will get along well with other dogs and will not
have skin problems, which is a hereditary condition.The Chinese Shar-Pei
will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. Chinese
Shar-Pei is moderately active indoors and will do okay without a yard.
Because of their padded head, the Chinese Shar-Pei is very sensitive to
heat. Shade and water must always be available. Provided they get enough
exercise, they will be very peaceful indoors. The name Chinese
Shar-Pei means sandy coat, referring to the gritty sandpaper texture of
the coat. When rubbed backward, the prickly coat of Chinese Shar-Pei can
be uncomfortable, and even cause welts on the skin of an occasional
sensitive person.Major concerns: entropion, CHD
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General
Appearance ** **
An alert, dignified, active, compact dog of medium size and substance,
square in profile, close-coupled, the well proportioned head slightly
but not overly large for the body. The short, harsh coat, the loose skin
covering the head and body, the small ears, the hippopotamus muzzle
shape and the high set tail impart to the Shar-Pei a unique look
peculiar to him alone. The loose skin and wrinkles covering the head,
neck and body are superabundant in puppies but these features may be
limited to the head, neck and withers in the adult.
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| Proportion
and Substance **
Preferred height is 18 to 20 inches at the withers. The preferred weight
is 40 to 55 pounds. The dog is usually larger and more square bodied
than the bitch, but both appear well proportioned.
Proportion ** The height of the Shar-Pei from the ground to the
withers is approximately equal to the length from the point of
breastbone to the point of the rump.
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| Head **
The head is large, slightly but not overly, proudly carried and covered
with profuse wrinkles on the forehead continuing into side wrinkles
framing the face.
Eyes *** Eyes are dark, small, almond-shaped and sunken, displaying a scowling expression. In the dilute colored dogs the eye color may be lighter.
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| Ears **
Ears are extremely small rather thick, equilateral triangles in shape,
slightly rounded at the tips, edges of the ear may curl. Ears lie flat
against the head, are set wide apart and forward on the skull, pointing
toward the eyes. The ears have the ability to move. Pricked ears are a
disqualification
Skull *** The skull is flat and broad, the stop moderately defined
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| Muzzle **
One of the distinctive features of the breed. It is broad and full
with no suggestion of snippiness. The length from nose to stop is
approximately the same as from stop to occiput. Nose large and wide and
darkly pigmented, preferably black but any color nose conforming to the
general coat color of the dog is acceptable. In dilute colors, the
preferred nose is self-colored. Darkly pigmented cream Shar-Pei may have
some light pigment either in the center of their noses or on their
entire nose. The lips and top of muzzle are well padded and may cause a
slight bulge at the base of the nose. |
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| Tongue
***m Tongue is
solid bluish-black is preferred in all coat colors except in dilute
colors, which have a solid lavender pigmentation. A spotted tongue is a
major fault. A solid pink tongue is a disqualification. (Tongue colors
may lighten due to heat stress; care must be taken not to confuse dilute
pigmentation with a pink tongue.
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| Teeth
**
Teeth are strong, meeting in a scissors bite. Deviation from a
scissors bite is a major fault.
Topline *** The topline dips slightly behind the withers, slightly rising over the short, broad loin. Neck *** The neck is medium length, full and set well into the shoulders. There are moderate to heavy folds of loose skin and abundant dewlap about the neck and throat.
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| Chest
**
The chest is broad and deep with the brisket extending to the elbow
and rising slightly under the loin. Back short and close-coupled.
Croup *** The croup is flat, with the base of the tail set extremely high, clearly exposing an uptilted anus. The high set tail is a characteristic feature of the Shar-Pei.
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| Tail
** The
tail is thick and round at the base, tapering to a fine point and
curling over or to either side of the back. The absence of a complete
tail is a disqualification.
Shoulders *** Muscular, well laid back and sloping.
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| Forelegs
** When
viewed from the front, straight, moderately spaced, with elbows close to
the body. When viewed from the side, the forelegs are straight, the
pasterns are strong and flexible. The bone is substantial but never
heavy and is of moderate length. Removal of front dewclaws is optional.
Feet *** Feet are moderate in size, compact and firmly set, not splayed.
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| Hindquarters
*
Hindquarters are muscular, strong, and moderately angular. The metatarsi
(hocks} are short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each
other when viewed from the rear. Hind dewclaws must be removed. Feet as
in front.
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| Coat
** The
extremely harsh coat is one of the distinguishing features of the breed.
The coat is absolutely straight and offstanding on the main trunk of the
body but generally lies somewhat flatter on the limbs. The coat appears
healthy without being shiny or lustrous. Acceptable coat lengths may
range from extremely short horse coat up to the brush coat not to exceed
one inch in length at the withers. A soft coat, a wavy coat, a coat in
excess of 1 inch in length at the withers or a coat that has been
trimmed is a major fault. The Shar-Pei is shown in its natural state.
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| Color
** Only solid
colors are acceptable. A solid colored dog may have shading, primarily
darker down the back and on the ears. The shading must be variations of
the same body color (except in sables) and may include darker hairs
throughout the coat. The following colors are a disqualifying fault: Not a solid color, that is: Albino; Brindle; Parti-colored (patches) Spotted (including spots, ticked or roaning) Tan-Pointed Pattern (including typical black and tan or saddled patterns).
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| Gait
** The
movement of the Shar-Pei is to be judged at a trot. The gait is free and
balanced with the feet tending to converge on a center line of gravity
when the dog moves at a vigorous trot. The gait combines good forward
reach and a strong drive in the hindquarters. Proper movement is
essential. |
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| Temperament
** Regal, alert, intelligent, dignified, lordly, scowling, sober
and snobbish, essentially independent and somewhat standoffish with
strangers, but extreme in his devotion to his family. The Shar-Pei
stands firmly on the ground with a calm, confident stature.Faults ***
Faults are undesirable traits in a dog. A major fault is undesirable,
but forgivable in the show ring. The judge may overlook a major fault if
the dog has other outstanding qualities. A disqualifying fault means
that a dog with such a fault should not bred or shown in AKC
Conformation.
Major Faults *** Spotted tongue * A soft coat * A wavy coat * A coat in excess if 1 inch at the withers * A coat that has been trimmed
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| Disqualifications
**
Pricked Ears ** Solid Pink Tongue **Absence of a complete tail **
Not a solid color, that is, the dog's coat is one of the following **
Albino ** Brindle **Parti-colored patches ** Spotted
including spots, ticked or roaning ** Tan-Pointed Pattern
including typical black and tan or saddled patterns.
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Faults Note ** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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Chinese Fighting Dog 
Description 
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