Shar Pei Dog Breed

A Shar Pei dog breed is traced back to several thousand years ago. It originated in the Southern China and was used as an all-purpose breed. These dogs were good at hunting, herding the cattle, guarding the property and were kept in many peasant families. Though the exact origin of the breed is unknown, it shares the common ancestry with the Chow Chow, the Great Pyrenees, and the Tibetan Mastiff. Black tongue and mouth and double dew claws are the only links between these breeds.

The name of the Shar Pei dog breed in Chinese means “shark skin” or “sand skin.” The main characteristics of the breed are loose skin and very rough and prickly coat. These unique features were developed to aid in fighting with other dogs. Even if grasped, a Shar Pei is able to wriggle out and bite back. This breed variety with its exotic look became very popular in the west, while the traditional working Shar Pei not intended for dog fighting has a tight skin.

Today, there are three coat varieties in the Shar Pei dog breed. The preferred coat is very short, coarse, uniquely rough, producing an itching sensation when stroked against the grain, with no undercoat. This coat variety is named horse-coat. Shar Pei dogs can also have a brush-coat. It’s longer and softer than the horse-coat, but it doesn’t exceed one inch in length. The bear-coat is similar to the Chow Chow coat. It’s long, dense, soft, with a dense undercoat. Such coat variety hides the wrinkles of the Shar Pei, so it’s not accepted by the breed standard. Shar Pei dogs with bear-coat make good pets, but should not be bred.

The Shar Pei is not the right dog for any household. Though intelligent and devoted to the owner, these dogs tend to be self-assured, stubborn, protective and dominant. A Shar Pei puppy needs early socialization and obedience training. To participate in shows, these dogs need professional training. Many dogs of this breed gained titles with CD (Companion Dog,) CDX (Companion Dog Excellence,) and UD (Utility dog) degrees. The Shar Pei dog breed is good at obedience, conformation, tracking, and retrieving.