Puppies & Dogs

The Chinese Shar-Pei is a great family dog that has an expensive, exotic look. She is loving toward the family yet she makes a great watchdog and guard dog. She was originally bred to fight so she may fight other dogs. Take care to have her under control when walking her.

Because of China’s zoophobia, the Western World would never have heard about Shar Peis if not for the diligent efforts of Hong Kong businessman Matgo Law. Shar Peis became victims of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Along with many other Chinese traditions and art forms, Shar Peis were outlawed and mostly destroyed. Matgo Law managed to rescue some and get them spirited away to Western countries. He started exporting Shar Peis in 1973. By the 1980’s, there was a craze for Shar Peis, which led to much indiscriminate breeding.

Many reliable Shar Pei information sources have come to the conclusion that the dogs sent to America were particularly inferior. These dogs are thought to have inherited several health problems (such as skin disorders and inverted eyelids) and had some nasty tempers to boot. But they are the only gene pool of Shar Peis available. They will always be a rare breed and need experienced, confident, physically strong owners.

It is thought that Shar Peis were bred to be strong all purpose farm dogs. They were to have a fierce appearance, could work all day and guard both master and property from man or beast. It is unknown when the emphasis on wrinkles developed. This was most likely when Shar Peis became star performers in another field – the dog-fighting pit. Wrinkles and loose skin meant another dog couldn’t get a good grip and, even if they did, the loose skin could help protect vital organs. Even today, Shar Peis are not great around other dogs.

Sadly, the dog-fighting pit is responsible for the development of many breeds especially bulldog types being developed in England about the same time Shar Peis were being honed to their current look in China. Unlike Shar Peis, the bully breeds in England (including the Old English Bulldog and the much-maligned Staffordshire Bull Terrier) were selected to be aggressive with other dogs but be eager to please any person.

North American and European breeders of the Shar Pei breed are now learning from their mistakes, as has the American buying public. Shar Peis were dropped like hot potatoes in the 1990’s, which lead to the rise of many Shar Pei rescues in many states. Because of their temper and their large size, they are not found in puppy mills as they once were. Shar Peis are now bred for an improved disposition, as well as for their looks.

The future for the Shar Pei looks grim to those who love to see things unchanged. There’s just not enough of a gene pool in order to assure the future of this unique dog breed. Considering some of the problems many have discovered with keeping Shar Peis, perhaps that’s for the best. Shar Peis are prone to many health problems. The most worrisome (and painful) is inverted eyelids, where the eyelashes constantly rub against the eyeballs. This can be cured with an expensive operation.

Melissa Coleman has published hundreds of articles on dogs, including Shar Peis. The Shar Pei has a sketchy history at best. By learning Shar Pei information, there will be fewer Shar Peis abandoned.

The Ori Pei is one of the most well known crossbreeds belonging to the Shar Pei mix. It is now a registered breed with the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) and has been bred at least for six generations. It is originally a creation of an American, named Aaron Silver, a breeder who loved the Chinese Shar Pei breed. Unfortunately this breed had various health problems like eye tacking, skin problems and hip dysphasia. So Aaron Silver decided to cross breed the Shar Pei with the Pug so that one could not only have a smaller version of the original dog, but also do away with the inherent health problems. This is how the Ori Pei came into existence. The Ori Pei pups are popular family pets and are really small in size. They look very similar to the Shar Pei pups in every way.

The cross breeding with the Basset Hound is also a common Shar Pei mix. The new designer or hybrid dog is called the Ba-Shar (Sharp Asset). When there is cross breeding it is difficult to judge the temperament of the crossbreed. Of course it has a combination of the characteristics found in each breed, hence it is important to get to know the characteristics in order to understand the new breed. The American Canine Hybrid Club has recognized the Ba-Shar breed. There is sometimes a multi-generation cross breeding, as some of the dogs are not pure bred, or even barely fifty percent pure bred.

The Shar Pei mix could actually be a mix with other dogs like the Black Labrador or another Shepherd Mix. Generally the features of the Shar Pei are overpowering and Shar Pei mixed breeds have more of the Shar Pei look with their extra skin and wrinkles. Shar Pei is also crossed with the Staffordshire bull terrier. The hybrid dog is generally shy, but also very loving and gentle, once he gets to know you.

It is possible to breed a healthy population of dogs only if the gene pool is large so that there is an abundance of genetic variation. This allows for competition of the genes under complete randomness, and hence maintains conservation of gene frequencies. It is already seen that the Shar Pei is becoming problematic in structure and temperament because it is bred within a small gene pool. What is required here is a new flow of genes from the original type at the place of origin.

When you buy a Shar Pei mix, make sure that you go to a responsible and reliable dog breeder. A good breeder has the knowledge to select two breeds in order to cross breed. His aim is hybrid vigor. When he crossbreeds he looks at the genetic diversity of the parent dogs. If there are health problems in one of the dogs or in both the dogs, they can be bred out. He will also ensure that the breeding makes the next generation of dogs better, healthier, more intelligent and live longer.

Of course the kennel club rules regarding breeding and cross breeding of dogs are quite strict. For purebreds as well as for cross breeds, there are exact combinations according to their specifications, and only then the cross breeds are recognized by them.

Purebred dogs like the Chinese Shar Pei can receive accident coverage from insurance companies. But now even mixed breeds, especially those that have been recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club are eligible for such coverage.

Melissa Coleman is a dog lover and has experience in dog breeding and knowledge about their special characteristics. In the Shar Pei mixed breeds the features of the Shar Pei are overpowering. Shar Pei with its small gene pool is showing a problem in structure and temperament. Shar Pei information is provided in this article with details about cross breeding with certain other purebreds.

What is wrong with my chinese shar pei? He has a big half dollar sized bald spot in da middle of his back.?

He is 8 going on 9 mnths of age. He is black with a brown undercoat. He has a healthy diet. His mother suffered from slight hair loss during the winter months. I just want some suggestions on what i should do and could possibly be wrong with him.

Hi don’t warry! it is normal around 8/9 months that the dog has some spot on his coat. You can to put on the spot the powder called:
Sulphur flower ( in pharmacy) this powder is for all skin desorder.
If your dog has strong immune sistem he came back with a good coat in few time. If no, it si possible also that i suffer for a light demodicosis but also this is normal in young shar-pei more if they are horse coat.