Chinese Shar-Pei
The Chinese Shar-Pei, once listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the rarest dog in the world, is now accepted for championship competition by kennel clubs in the United Kingdom and United States.
Descriptions of the Shar-Pei vary from a dog that looks as if its skin is several sizes too big for it, to a Bloodhound with wrinkles allover . The Sharp-rei has small, rectangular ears that point towards the eyes, a tail that forms a circle, its tip touching its base, and stiff short hair that stands up.
It IS an extremely Intelligent dog, an excellent guard and amiable unless provoked. It enjoys human companionship; it IS also most affectionate.
In 1947, the tax on dogs in the People's Republic of China rose so steeply that few people could afford to keep them, and many were utilized as food. The Shar-Pei may have escaped this fate simply because it was not very tasty.
Origin and history
Works of art depicting a likeness to the Shar-Pei survive from the Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD).
It is possible that the Shar-Pel originated in Tibet or the Northern Province of China about 20 centuries ago, when it was probably a much larger dog than it is now, weighing 85-1651b (38.6-74.8kg). Other sources maintain that the Shar-Pei is a descendant of the
Service Dogs that, for thousands of years, lived in the Southern Province near the South China Sea. Certainly, for hundreds of years it lived up to ItS name of Chinese Fighting Dog; It was provoked, and then matched against other dogs for the owner's profit The loose skin of the Shar-Pei made it difficult for its opponent to get a firm grip on its body. It is said that drugs were used to heighten the breed's aggression, for it is basically a loving and gentle animal.
Chinese Shar-Pei Puppies
Good points
- Excellent watchdog
- Loyal to owner
- Amiable unless provoked
- Highly intelligent
- Good with children
Take heed
May be more susceptible to entropion and skin disease than are other breeds
Size
Weight: 40-501b (18.1-22.7kg). Height: 18-20in (46-51cm) at the withers.
Exercise
The Shar-Pei - or perhaps, to give it ItS former name, the Chinese Fighting Dog - was used to hunt wild boar and to herd flocks. It is a breed more suited to those with large gardens or houses near areas where the Shar-Pei may unleash its energies. It needs good daily walks and off-the-Iead runs.
Chinese Shar-Pei Information
Health care
The breed is susceptible to entropion, an eye disease that can cause blindness if the lashes penetrate the cornea. The disease is curable, and a veterinarian should be consulted at any sign of eye irritation.
A unique feature of this breed is that heat in the female can be at irregular intervals, and with some females the season may not occur until she is 15 years old
General appearance
An active, compact, short-coupled, squarely built dog that stands firmly on the ground with the posture of a warrior.
Head and skull
Skull flat, broad and large with little stop. Occiput not pronounced. Profuse wrinkles on forehead and cheeks. Heavy dewlaps. Muzzle moderately long and broad with no tapering towards the nose.
Colour
Self-coloured. May be black, dark fawn, light fawn or cream-coloured. Fawn with dark eyes, blue-grey mask and black nose preferably.
Tail
Set very high. Thick and round at base, tapering to a fine point at the tip. Preferably, the tail should be curled tightly in a circle or loosely in a semi-circle carried to one side.
Feet
Moderate in size; compact and firm; toes well separated; knuckles high.
Chinese Shar-Pei Feeding
Feeding
In their land of origin these dogs are undoubtedly fed on rice, a diet that has resulted in instances of rickets and other ailments associated with malnutrition. The Shar-Pel is a hardy dog and, if fed correctly, should have few health problems. The branded canned food requirement for a dog of its size IS approximately 200z (587g) per day, with the usual biscuit supplement.