The Shar Pei : Yes – That's A Real Dog

Shar Pei puppies look like raisins with legs. They are so ugly that they are cute. Shar Peis became very popular in the 1980's with the yuppie generation in North America. Their popularity has declined due to many factors, one of which is their size. These are big dogs that average fifty pounds when they grow up. They are square and solid with a broad chest and a head that looks a little too big for the body.

It's the wrinkles that are the claim to fame for the Shar Pei. Unlike most other breeds of dog, this one is quite distinctive! The puppies are far more wrinkled than the adults. The Shar Pei breed standard calls for the adult to have loose skin, if not wrinkly skin, but wrinkles are still expected around the face. Because of the heavily wrinkled face, it is normal for these dogs to slobber a lot.
It is thought that Shar Peis descended from Chow Chows, which are more popular around the world than Shar Peis. The two breeds share a lot in common. They are both big, muscular breeds with broad chests and a bull neck. Both are have bodies that resemble furry bricks on legs. And both have a purple, or blue-black tongue. Often blue tongues are the sign of a very sick dog, but not in Chow Chows or Shar Peis. Some Shar Peis are born with pink tongues, but are disqualified from showing.

Other ways Shar Peis can get disqualified from the show ring is by not having a solid colored coat. They often come in a brown and white coat that resembles an English Springer Spaniel's. This is sometimes called a flowered Shar Pei among Shar Pei enthusiasts. Sometimes a small tuft of white is allowed on a show dog. If they have bear coats, in which the hairs are over one inch long, they will also be disqualified.
The breed standard for the Shar Pei is not conducive to everybody's idea of a family pet. Their temperament is very much like a Rottweiler's, only they are even more aggressive with other dogs. They usually are good with kids, but wary of adults. If you need a guard dog or a dog to round up livestock, they are ideal. The breed standard lists Shar Peis as having a "regal, standoffish" nature. They are not as eager to please as other breeds.

They have very strong wills coupled with very strong bodies. If you have never lived with a dog before, the Shar Pei is not for you. If you have physical problems, the Shar Pei is not for you. If you have a timid nature, then the Shar Pei is definitely not for you as they will quickly give commands to you and expect to be obeyed. Research and think carefully before bringing a Shar Pei home.

The Shar Pei is hard to breed properly, as the breeding lines have dwindled. Fewer Shar Peis would be abandoned if people knew more Shar Pei information before they brought a puppy home.