Shar Pei Breeders

First Shar Pei breeders in the USA have produced many dogs of this breed for profit only. When the Shar Pei was introduced from China to the USA in the 1970s, the breed was very rare. It was even named the world’s rarest dog breed. Strange-looking dogs and puppies were very expensive in the 1970s and 1980s, but today they cost the same as purebred dogs of any other breed. The AKC recognized the Shar Pei in 1991. Since that time, these dogs can participate in shows and competitions for purebreds. In 1992, the CKC registered the Shar Pei. Today, most registries recognize the breed.

Chinese Shar Pei breeders produced dogs of this breed for a variety of purposes. These intelligent and strong dogs were able to perform almost any task a dog can do. They were used for hunting wild pigs, herding and guarding the living stock, protecting the owner and the property. In China, Shar Pei dogs were called fighting dogs, but it doesn’t mean that all Shar Pei dogs fought with other dogs. Any dog that protects properly is referred to as a fighting dog in China. The breed name is derived from the Cantonese word meaning “shark skin” or “sand skin,” which describes the coat texture typical of the breed. Such coat structure aids in fighting. It’s next to impossible to grab and hold a dog with a loose skin and prickly coat.

One of the characteristic features of the Shar Pei is its blue-black tongue and lips, which makes Shar Pei breeders think that the breed has descended from the Chow Chow. Actually, these two breeds share a common ancestry, but nothing is known about their origin, as both breeds are very old.

The Shar Pei is prized for both its appearance and personality. Purebred Shar Pei dogs are stocky, well-muscled, with a large hippopotamus-shaped muzzle, sunken eyes, very small ears, and numerous wrinkles on the forehead, cheeks, and neck. Shar Pei puppies have the greater amount of wrinkles. Three coat types occur in this breed: horse, bear, and brush. The rough, prickly, and off-standing horse-coat is close to the ancient breed standard. The brush-coat is longer and smoother. The bear-coat is even longer and very dense. Shar Pei breeders try to avoid such coat type in their litters, as it’s not recognized by the AKC standard.