Shar Pei Dog Breed Profile
The Chinese Shar Pei was at one time called the "Chinese
Fighting Dog". It is most likely that it originated
from a cross between the Mastiff and the Chow Chow and
various indigenous breeds. In actual practice, the Shar
Pei served several purposes.. It was used in china as
a "pit" fighting dog, for entertainment and sport and
also as a hunting dog and a herding breed and a watchdog.
The dog originated, it is believed, in the Han Dynasty
and the many statues of that era which depict the fierce
fighting dogs with the scowl on their faces are believed
to be representations of the Shar Pei.
The exceedingly loose skin that is the hallmark of the
breed was its biggest advantage when pitted against
other dogs, there was so much skin that it was difficult
for a dog or any animal for that matter to get a grip
or do serious damage to any vital organs. Eventually
their use as a pit fighting breed diminished, because
they simply did not ever posses the mentality or attitude
to be a fighter. Most Shar Peis appear, to this day,
to be rather disinterested in other animals.
In the 1940s, when the Communist Party came to power
in China, dogs as pets were considered to be "decadent
bourgeois luxury" and the breeding of dogs for pets
was eventually completely banned. Many of the breeds
of China very nearly became extinct during this period.
A few remaining Shar Pei specimens somehow made it out
out to the West at some point and the breed has been
gaining in popularity ever since.
The standard of the breed, as translated from Chinese,
reads that the head should be "pear-like" and the ears
"like a clamshell" . The nose is to be like a butterfly,
the face like that of a grandma, the legs like the shape
of a ham, the back like that of the shrimp, the tail
like that of a wire, the body like that of a fish...and
so on. Suffice it to say that the Chinese Shar Pei bears
little resemblance to any other breed. Indeed, the wrinkles
alone are unique to say nothing of its strange looking
face. It does possess the dark blue or purple tongue
similar to the Chow Chow but that is about the only
resemblance.
The Shar Pei can have eye problems, (known as entropion
or ectropion) a condition where the eyelids roll inwards
or outwards. This is a condition which can be corrected
surgically. Because of the heavy rolls of skin and the
wrinkles on the face even corrective surgery does not
always have the desired result and this is a problem
that owners should watch for. The Shar Pei possesses
a rather "prickly" and harsh coat which seems to have
the feel of the coat of a horse, actually. Its deep
wrinkles and rather lumbering body remind one of the
hippopotamus in some respects. The face of the Shar
Pei seems to bear a perpetual "scowl" and it is part
of the look of the famous Han Dynasty dog statues which
were said to depict the original Shar Pei breed.
The Shar Pei has gained some popularity in the west
because of its strange looks and rather endearing wrinkles
as a puppy. However it grows up to be an aloof and independent
dog, with a great deal of dignity and not necessarily
the playful sort. It has however proved itself to be
a beloved companion to many folks who treasure the dog
for its quiet and dignified manner and for its noble
demeanor.
About the Author
For more information on the Chinese
Shar-Pei
|
Dog Pound
