Chinese Shar Pei |
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The history of the Chinese Shar-Pei in modern times is In the United States, the documented history of the breed goes back to 1966 when a few dogs were imported from stock registered with the Hong Kong Kennel Club. Strong interest in the breed increased in 1973 when Matgo Law of Down-Homes Kennels, Hong Kong, appealed to dog fanciers in the United States to "Save the Chinese Shar-Pei". The response was enthusiastic, and because of their rarity, a limited number of Shar-Pei arrived in the United States in the fall of 1973. The recipients of these dogs corresponded with each other and decided to form a national dog club and registry. The Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America, Inc. (CSPCA), held its first organizational meeting in 1974, and the club has been in continuous existence since that time. The first Annual National Specialty Show was held in 1978 and successive national shows have been held each year. On May 4, 1988 the Chinese Shar-Pei was accepted in to the American Kennel Club (AKC) Miscellaneous Class and in to the Non sporting group on August 1, 1992. Recent studies analyzing the DNA of the domestic dog breeds have demonstrated that the Shar Pei is one of the fourteen most ancient dog breeds, together with three other Asian spitz-type dogs: the Shiba Inu, the Akita and the Chow Chow. The distinctive blue-black tongue of the Shar Pei and the Chow Chow indicates that they are indeed related. They both probably descend from the Han Dog, an ancient guard dog that existed during the Han Dynasty in China about 2,000 years ago. Their place of origin is Dali (or, Dailek, Dailet), a town in southern China in the province of Guangdong. |
Colors The traditional Shar pei colors are solid black, blue black, black with a hint of rust, brown, red, fawn. Other colors also include lilac, blue and isabella. Cream is less desirable, but nevertheless accepted. If the cream colored Shar pei possesses the Five Red points it is considered very valuable. Parti-colored and saddle patters also occur but are not admitted in shows. Shar Pei ears The Shar pei's ears should be small and set parallel above the eyes on top of the skull . They should be proportionally small to the skull, but not overly small. The ears of the traditional Shar-pei come in a variety of forms, each with their own name: Hinhok yi (clam shell ears) and Wan yi (mushroom ears). The first type resemble a clam shell, the second black Chinese mushrooms. Wrinkles One of the distinctive features of this breed are the loose skin and the wrinkles over head and body. The wrinkles on the forehead are called the "guarding lines", and the tighter it is, the more the dog was considered a good guard dog. The guarding line in the middle of the head going inward is called the rat line, and indicates if the dog is a good ratter. The guarding lines on the dog's forehead are said to represent the Chinese classical symbol for longevity.at |
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incomplete. However, it is known that following the establishment of the People's Republic of China as a communist nation, the dog population of China was essentially eliminated. The breed was on the verge of extinction. The breeding had been neglected for years and the Dailet fighting dogs were no longer in demand. When the Chinese Communists came to power, a heavy tax was imposed on dog owners and a further edict declared dogs an ostentatious expression of luxury and eventually banned dog breeding all together. The breed survived thanks to fanciers in Macao (Portuguese China) and Hong Kong.