Shar Pei

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Low maintenance
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs M Batey (Wayatinah)

marilynb001@hotmail.com
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two-shar-pei-puppies-sitting-lying-next-to-each-other-isolated-white-30814083

History

The Shar Pei has been identified as a basal breed that predates the emergence of the modern breeds in the 19th century. According to historical documents and artifacts, it has existed in China since ancient times, and its likeness was often used to decorate various objects, especially during the Han Dynasty. During this period, it was used for many tasks including hunting, herding and protection and in later years as a fighting dog, gradually becoming a favourite pet of Chinese emperors. The Shar Pei continues to be trained as a fighting dog in modern-day Tibet.

The Shar Pei breed comes from the Guangdong province of China. The original Shar Pei from China looked very different from the breed now popular in the West. People in southern China, Hong Kong, and Macau differentiate the Western type and the original type, by calling them respectively ‘meat-mouth’ and ‘bone-mouth’ Shar Pei.

Appearance

A squarely built, medium sized, compact dog the Shar Pei’s most distinctive feature would arguably be its wrinkled appearance. Although more prominent as puppies, these wrinkles should lessen as they grow, so as to only appear over the shoulders, on the head and at the base of the tail. Their ears are small, thick and triangular in shape, set high but well apart and should point toward the eye. The eye is deep set and its function must never be impeded by the surrounding skin. Excessive skin on the body and legs is strongly discouraged. With the bottom jaw appearing to be wider that the top, a Shar Pei’s muzzle, when viewed from the front, should resemble the shape of a hippopotamus head. The padding of the muzzle and jaw must not obstruct a correct bite.

“Shar Pei” is thought to be translated to “Sand Skin,” depicting the harsh coat that can be described as “Needles in Cotton”. There are two coat types in the Shar Pei; the shorter harsher “Horse Coat” and the longer, softer “Brush Coat”. However the coat length should not exceed 2.5cm. The tail is rounded, narrowing to a point, set very high and carried over the back when alert or on the move. Paws should be well arched and strong.

Health

A thoughtfully bred Shar Pei should have few health issues, however they can be prone to skin conditions, entropion and “yeasty” ears. Musculoskeletal abnormalities are uncommon in the Shar Pei. Shar Pei Autoinflammatory Disease (SPAID) is of particular concern for the breed as affected dogs often live short lives that end tragically. A new test may soon be available in Australia to assist in limiting the ongoing manifestation of this disease.

Temperament

In general the Shar Pei is a loyal, devoted and affectionate family member. It can be suspicious of strangers, but should be accepting of people when introduced by someone they trust. They respond well to calm, friendly reward based training and have been seen engaging in a number of dog activities including agility, nose works and lure coursing.

They are generally protective of their space and take offence to intruders. Due to their frowning expression and deep set eyes they can often be “misread” by other dogs.

Suitability

Being a rather adaptable breed, the Shar Pei is suited to most lifestyles. It is just as at home sitting on the sofa with their favourite human, or climbing a mountain with you. They are naturally clean in the home and are not generally destructive, making them a perfect apartment dog.

They do moult as with most breeds, but their short coat is not overly intrusive. People with sensitive skin may have a reaction to the shorter harsh “Horse coat.”

Shar Pei can be ‘bossy’ with other dogs and need early socialisation and ongoing training to remind them of their manners. Shar Pei love their family and will protect vulnerable members if the need arises.

Words: Dianne Gooding

Image supplied by Dianne Gooding

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Shar Pei, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Shah Pei and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 09 Oct 2012)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Alert, active, compact, short coupled, squarely built. Dogs larger and more powerful than bitches.

Characteristics

Relatively loose skin, frowning expression, harsh bristly.

Temperament

Calm, independent, very affectionate, and devoted to people.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Relatively large but not disproportionate to the body, skull flat, broad, moderate stop. Length from nose to stop approximately equal to length from stop to occiput. Moderate wrinkle on forehead and cheeks. Muzzle moderately broad and full with no suggestion of tapering. The lips and top of muzzle may be slightly padded. When viewed from front, bottom jaw appears wider than top. Nose large, wide, preferably black but any colour conforming to general coat colour permissible.
Eyes	Dark, medium size, almond shaped with frowning expression. Amber and lighter colour permissible in paler shades. Function of eyeball or lid in no way disturbed by surrounding skin, folds or hair. Any sign of irritation of eyeball, conjunctiva or eyelids highly undesirable. Free from entropion.
Ears	Very small, rather thick, equilaterally triangular in shape, slightly rounded at tip and set high on the skull with tips pointing towards eyes, set well forward over eyes, wide apart and close to skull. The tips and edges may turn up. Pricked ears highly undesirable.
Mouth	Tongue, roof of mouth, gums and flews: solid bluish-black is preferred. Solid pink tongue undesirable. Dogs with self-coloured pigment and amber to light brown eyes would be expected to have a lavender tongue. Teeth strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Padding of lower lip should not be so excessive so as to interfere with the bite.
Neck	Medium length, strong, full, set well on shoulders, with some loose skin under neck permitted, but this should not be excessive.
Forequarters	Shoulders muscular, well laid and sloping. Elbows close to body. Forelegs straight, moderate length, good bone; pasterns slightly sloping, strong and flexible. Forelegs completely free from wrinkle when mature.
Body	Height at withers approximately equal to the length from point of shoulders to point of buttock. Depth of brisket approximately half of height at withers. Chest broad and deep, underline rising slightly under loin. Back short, strong. Topline dips slightly behind withers then rises over short, broad loin. Adult dogs should display moderate wrinkling over shoulders and base of tail. Excessive skin on body when mature highly undesirable.
Hindquarters	Muscular, strong; moderately angulated; hocks well let down without excessive wrinkling or thickening.
Feet	Moderate size, compact, toes well knuckled.
Tail	Rounded, narrowing to fine point, base set very high. May be carried high and curved; carried in tight curl; or curved over. Lack of, or incomplete, tail highly undesirable.
Gait/Movement	Free, vigorous and balanced, rear single tracking is normal at a fast trot. Stilted gait undesirable.
Coat	Extremely harsh coat, straight and off-standing on the body but flatter on the limbs. No undercoat. Length varies from short and bristly, under 1.25 cm ( half an inch) or longer and thicker, between 1.25 cm ( half an inch) and 2.5 cm (one inch), but still off-standing and harsh to the touch.N.B. No particular coat length within the accepted length should be preferred above the other. Never trimmed.
Colour	All solid colours except white are acceptable. Frequently shaded on tail and back of thighs with lighter colour.
Size	Height: 46-51 cms (18-20 ins) at withers.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.