Shar Pei

The Shar-Pei is a Chinese breed unmistakable for its loose, wrinkled skin, bristly coat and blue-black tongue — an ancient, aloof guardian.

History

It is an old southern Chinese breed kept for farm work, guarding and, at times, fighting; the loose skin and harsh, prickly coat may have been selected to make it hard for an opponent to hold. It came close to extinction before a mid-twentieth-century revival.

Temperament

The breed is known for being calm, loyal and independent, devoted to its household but reserved and watchful with strangers. It is a natural guardian, dignified rather than demonstrative.

Care and training

It needs moderate exercise and early socialising, and the skin folds need regular cleaning and drying to head off infection. The harsh short coat is otherwise low-maintenance.

Health

The wrinkles and breed history bring real burdens: recurrent skin-fold infections, an inward-rolling eyelid fault, narrow ear canals, and an inherited inflammatory fever tied to kidney complications. These are known patterns for the breed and a matter for the individual dog and its vet; the measured facts are in the panel.