Shar Pei Dog

The Shar Pei dog once was named the rarest dog breed in the world. Introduced from China in the 1970s this breed was exotic in the USA and Europe for several decades, but today, it’s one of the popular family pets. The exact origin of the breed is unknown, as it’s very old. The DNA analysis proves that this breed is one of the most ancient in the world. The first written evidence of the Shar Pei dates back to the 2nd century B.C. Similar looking dogs were used to guard palaces in ancient China. Possibly, the breed descended from the Chow Chow, but some scientists believe these breeds to share a common ancestry. The only link between these dogs is a dark-colored mouth.

The Shar Pei dog is a general-purpose breed. For many centuries, it lived in the countryside and helped people with herding the livestock, hunting large game, and guarding the property. Early Chinese breeders bred these dogs for their strength, intelligence, and a wrinkled scowling face. The black mouth of these dogs was believed to scare evil spirits away.

Another characteristic feature of the breed is its loose and heavily wrinkled skin. Actually, a traditional Shar Pei dog was not heavily wrinkled. Breeders started to produce dogs with a loose skin for fighting purposes. Together with a very rough and prickly coat, a loose skin made it next to impossible to grab and hold a Shar Pei. Even if grabbed, these dogs could twist in their skin and had room to maneuver. This variety of the breed became popular in the West, while original Shar Pei dogs are not very popular outside China.

The Shar Pei dog though very intelligent and easy to keep is not suited for any household. It needs consistent training and a strong-willed owner; otherwise a Shar Pei becomes dominating, manipulative, and disobedient. Dull repetitive exercises are not effective with this breed. Most Shar Pei dogs are reserved with strangers and very protective, loyal, devoted and easy-going with the family and friends. Any Shar Pei dog is an excellent watch dog with a strong protective instinct.