Shar Pei

The Shar Pei is one of the most ancient dog breeds, with a history spanning millennia. Its name translates from Chinese as “sand skin” (沙皮, shā pí), which perfectly describes the unique texture of its coat—short, harsh, and bristly to the touch. The breed’s homeland is considered to be the southern provinces of China, bordering Tibet. Genetic research has confirmed that the breed’s age is at least 3000 years.

The first mentions and depictions of dogs resembling modern Shar Peis date back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). Archaeologists have discovered clay figurines of “wrinkled” dogs in the tombs of Chinese nobility. These dogs served as versatile helpers for farmers: they guarded homes, hunted game, and were even used as fighting dogs, though their primary role was always as a watch dog. Their skin folds acted as a kind of “armor,” protecting them from serious injuries during skirmishes with other animals.

It’s believed that the Shar Pei shares common ancestors with another well-known Chinese breed—the Chow Chow. This is evidenced by a unique shared characteristic: the blue-black tongue. For a long time, Shar Peis were exclusively found in China. However, in the 20th century, the breed faced challenging times. With the rise of the Communist Party led by Mao Zedong, pet ownership was declared a “bourgeois luxury.” A mass extermination of dogs began across the country. World War II and subsequent government policies pushed Shar Peis to the brink of complete extinction.

The breed’s revival began in the 1970s thanks to the efforts of Hong Kong enthusiast Matgo Law. He appealed to American dog breeders through magazines, asking for help to save the “last Chinese Shar Peis.” His call was answered, and several dogs were exported to the USA. These eight individuals became the foundation for the breed’s recovery. Thanks to their exotic appearance, the breed quickly gained popularity. In 1976, the first breed standard was approved, and in 1978, the Shar Pei was even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the rarest breed globally. Today, fortunately, Shar Peis are no longer a rarity and are among the most popular dogs in many countries.

The Shar Pei is a compact, robust, medium-sized dog with a square build and unique features that make it unmistakable. Its appearance combines strength, dignity, and exoticism.

1. Head: Large in proportion to the body, with a broad, flat skull. The muzzle is broad from the base to the tip of the nose, resembling a hippopotamus’s mouth in shape. A characteristic feature is the “padding” on the muzzle.
2. Wrinkles: In puppies, skin folds cover the entire body. In adult dogs (after one year), an excessive number of wrinkles on the body is undesirable. They should primarily remain on the head, neck, and withers.
3. Tongue: The tongue, palate, gums, and lips should be bluish-black. A pink-spotted tongue is permissible, but a solid pink tongue is a disqualifying fault.
4. Eyes: Dark, almond-shaped, with a gloomy, severe expression. Due to the deep skin folds, the eyes may appear small.
5. Ears: Very small, thick, triangular, set high, with tips pointing towards the eyes and lying close to the skull. Erect ears are a serious fault.
6. Body: Strong, with a short and powerful back. The topline slopes slightly behind the withers and then rises again towards the loin. The chest is broad and deep.
7. Tail: Thick and round at the base, tapering to a point towards the end. Set very high. It can be curled into a tight ring and lie on the back or side.
8. Limbs: Forelegs are straight and strong. Hindquarters are muscular and powerful. Wrinkles on the limbs in adult dogs are undesirable.

Shar Pei Coat Types and Colors

The Shar Pei’s coat is one of its key distinguishing features. It is short, harsh, bristly, and lacks an undercoat. There are two main coat types:

• “Horse Coat”: Very short (up to 0.4 inches), harsh, and prickly. This is considered the more traditional type.
• “Brush Coat”: Slightly longer (from 0.4 to 1 inch), softer to the touch, but still without an undercoat.

The breed standard allows any solid coat color, except white. The most common colors include: Red, Fawn, Cream, Black, Chocolate, Isabella, Blue, and Lilac. Often, there is a darkening of the base tone on the back and ears.

The Shar Pei’s character is as unique as its appearance. This is a dog with high intelligence, a sense of self-dignity, and deep devotion to its family. However, potential owners should be aware of all the nuances of its temperament.

• Loyalty and Affection: A Shar Pei typically chooses one or two people in the family as its “main” owner and will follow them everywhere. They become deeply attached to their humans and find separation difficult.
• Independence and Stubbornness: This is a very self-reliant breed that tends to make its own decisions. This trait can make training challenging, requiring patience, consistency, and strong leadership from the owner. A Shar Pei won’t blindly follow commands if they don’t see the point.
• Guard Dog Qualities: Historically, Shar Peis were guard dogs, and this instinct is deeply ingrained. They are wary of strangers and will always alert you to their approach with barking. Their calm confidence and serious demeanor often deter uninvited guests. In this regard, they are similar to other excellent guardians like the Hovawart or the Estrela Mountain Dog.
• Interaction with Children and Other Animals: Shar Peis can get along well with children if they grew up together and the child is taught to respect the dog. However, they are not overly tolerant of childish antics. Early socialization is crucial. When it comes to other dogs, Shar Peis can exhibit dominance and even aggression, especially towards members of the same sex. This is a legacy of their fighting past.
• Calmness and Composure: At home, a Shar Pei is usually calm and quiet. They are not prone to barking without reason or restlessness. For much of the day, they may simply observe what’s happening or nap beside their owner.

Pros

• Unique Appearance: A dog that will always be the center of attention.
• Deep Loyalty: Becomes a faithful friend and companion for the entire family.
• Excellent Guardian: Possesses a natural guarding instinct and distrust of strangers.
• Cleanliness: Shar Peis are naturally very clean, don’t have a strong “doggy smell,” and are easily house-trained.
• Low Exercise Needs: They don’t require hours of intense activity; calm walks are sufficient.
• Quiet Indoors: Rarely bark without cause.

Cons

• Prone to Illnesses: The breed has many hereditary health conditions (skin, eyes, joints).
• High Maintenance Costs: Veterinary care and specialized food can be expensive.
• Stubbornness and Training Difficulty: Requires an experienced owner with a firm but fair temperament.
• Need for Early Socialization: Without it, they can be aggressive towards other dogs and overly suspicious of people.
• Specific Care: Requires regular cleaning of folds, ears, and eyes.
• Poor Tolerance to Heat and Cold: Due to their unique build and short coat.

Unfortunately, Shar Peis are a breed prone to a significant number of genetic health issues. This is a trade-off for their unique appearance and the history of their revival from a small gene pool. Owners must be prepared for potential health problems and pay special attention to prevention.

Caring for a Shar Pei has its specific requirements, linked to its unique skin and body structure. Proper care is essential for your beloved pet’s health and well-being.

• Coat Care: The Shar Pei’s coat doesn’t require complex care. It’s sufficient to brush it once a week with a rubber brush or grooming mitt to remove dead hairs. Shar Peis shed seasonally, typically twice a year; during these periods, more frequent brushing is needed. Bathe your dog only when necessary, but no more often than once a month, using a special hypoallergenic shampoo.
• Skin Fold Care: This is the most critical aspect of care. After every bath, walk in the rain, or if your dog has simply sweated, you must thoroughly dry all the folds, especially on the face. You can use a soft cloth or paper towels. Moisture left in the folds creates an ideal environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive.
• Ear Care: Due to their very narrow ear canals, Shar Peis are prone to ear infections (otitis). Inspect their ears weekly and clean them with a special veterinary ear cleaner. Never use cotton swabs, as they can damage the ear canal.
• Eye Care: Regularly check their eyes for redness, excessive tearing, or pus-like discharge. If necessary, wipe them with a cotton pad moistened with chamomile tea or a specialized eye wash. At any sign of entropion, contact your veterinarian immediately.
• Nails: Trim their nails every 3-4 weeks if they don’t wear down naturally.

Training a Shar Pei is a challenge that demands patience, consistency, and an understanding of the breed’s psychology. Due to their stubbornness and independence, standard training methods might not be effective.

The key to success is early socialization. From a very young age, your puppy needs to be exposed to different people, sounds, places, and other (always calm and vaccinated) dogs. This will help them grow into a confident and well-adjusted dog, rather than a fearful or aggressive one. You must establish yourself as the leader in the home. Moreover, all family members should adhere to the same rules. If the Shar Pei senses any weakness in character from even one family member, they may stop obeying them.

Training sessions should be short, engaging, and conducted in a playful manner. Use the positive reinforcement method—praise and reward with treats for correct command execution. Physical punishment and yelling are absolutely unacceptable—these will only destroy trust and make the dog even more stubborn. A Shar Pei should respect you as a leader, not fear you. Despite the challenges, these are very intelligent dogs that can learn a great deal if you find the right approach.

Nutrition is one of the cornerstones of Shar Pei health. Due to their high susceptibility to allergies, selecting the right diet can be a real quest. Many of the skin problems mentioned earlier are directly linked to improper feeding. Some other breeds also have similar dietary restrictions, such as Pugs.

Feeding Dry Kibble: This is the simplest and most balanced option. Choose high-quality kibble from the super-premium or holistic class, designed for dogs with sensitive digestion or those prone to allergies. Key recommendations:

• Kibble Base: The protein source should be lamb, turkey, duck, or fish.
• Avoid Allergens: Do not buy kibble containing chicken, beef, soy, corn, or wheat. These are the most common allergens for Shar Peis.
• Ingredients: The kibble should not contain artificial colors, preservatives, or flavor enhancers.

Natural Feeding: If you choose this route, be prepared for a meticulous selection of ingredients. New foods should be introduced one at a time, every 5-7 days, to monitor your dog’s reaction.

Important: When feeding a natural diet, it is essential to supplement with veterinarian-prescribed vitamin and mineral complexes.

• In 1978, the Shar Pei was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the rarest breed globally. At that time, only about 60 individuals were registered.
• The name “Shar Pei” means “sand skin,” which perfectly describes the dog’s harsh-to-the-touch coat.
• The Shar Pei’s blue-black tongue is the subject of legends. One popular tale suggests that such a tongue wards off evil spirits.
• The excess skin in Shar Pei puppies is an evolutionary mechanism. If a predator or another dog grabbed the puppy, the elastic skin allowed it to twist and fight back.
• Despite their often-grumpy appearance, Shar Peis can be very playful and amusing within their family circle.

Do Shar Peis shed a lot?
They shed seasonally, usually twice a year. Their coat is short and needle-like, so it can embed itself in clothing and furniture upholstery. The “Horse Coat” sheds less noticeably than the “Brush Coat.”

Do the wrinkles disappear with age?
Yes, partially. A Shar Pei puppy is very wrinkled. As the dog grows, the skin “tightens,” and in an adult dog (after 1-1.5 years), deep wrinkles primarily remain on the head, neck, and withers. Excessive wrinkling on the body of an adult dog is considered a fault.

Is the Shar Pei suitable for inexperienced owners?
Generally, no. This breed requires experience, patience, a firm temperament, and a willingness to dedicate significant time to training, socialization, and health care. A novice owner will find it challenging to cope with their stubbornness and dominance.

Can Shar Peis live outdoors in a kennel?
Absolutely not. They have a short coat without an undercoat, so they tolerate cold poorly. Furthermore, they are very people-oriented and will suffer from loneliness. This is exclusively a dog for indoor living.

Do Shar Peis get along well with cats and other animals?
If a Shar Pei grew up with a cat from a young age, there will most likely be no problems. However, they do have a hunting instinct, so introducing an adult dog to a cat can be problematic. Socialization plays a crucial role.