The
Chinese Shar-Pei is admittedly unusual. The features which
gain him this distinction are his loose skin and wrinkles, his
hippopotamus muzzle shape, his horse or brush coat, his high set
tail, his tiny clam-shell ears and his blue-black tongue. Yet
for all this, the Shar-Pei should not be a hopelessly exaggerated,
un-doggie dog. The adult's wrinkles may be limited to the
head, neck and withers. The head is large and carried high
with dark, small almond-shaped eyes and tight lids which must be
perfectly normal and whose function is not disrupted by surrounding
skin. The ears are extremely small and rather thick, slightly
rounded at tips, never pricked. The muzzle is moderately long,
broad and not tapering. The tongue, roof of mouth, gum and
flews should be solid bluish back, except in dilute-colored dogs
which have a solid lavender pigmentation. Spotted or pink
tongues are bad. Neck is medium in length and full, well set
in shoulders with moderate to heavy folds forming dewlap. The top line
dips slightly behind the withers. The chest is broad and deep;
back is short and close coupled. The tail is thick and round
at base, set high. Tailless Shar-Pei are disqualified.
The forelegs are straight with strong pasterns and substantial, not
heavy, bone; elbows close to body and moderately space, not fiddle
fronted nor turning in. The feet are compact and firmly set,
not splayed or oversized. Hindquarters are moderately
angulated with hocks well let down, not cow or bow hocked. The
coat is extremely harsh, not shiny nor soft, yet healthy
appearing. The horse coat is the shorter and the brush, the
longer, up to 1 inch. In color the Shar-Pei can be only solid
colors: black, red, fawn, or cream; shadings must be of same color
except in sable. Any solid color is acceptable. Albinos,
brindles, parti-colored or patched dogs, spotted, ticked, roaned,
tan-pointed, black and tan and saddled dogs are disqualified.
Shar-Pei definitely
have their likes and dislikes. He has a mind and it's made up;
he can be stubborn, aggressive, territorial and even
combative. Well socialized Shar-Pei who have been trained
properly make delightful family pets and devoted children's
dogs. They do not do well with other dogs, as a general
rule. He belongs indoors and despises the cold. He also
hates water and most baths are a struggle. Owners love them
for their intelligence and their looks, not to mention their sense
of humor. For more information on this breed, please visit our
breeders listed below.
