Shar Pei

The Shar Pei has a history dating back more than 2,000 years in China, where it appears depicted on figurines from the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). Its name literally means sand leather in Cantonese, a reference to the rough and characteristic texture of its coat. It was originally bred in the province of Guangdong as a multipurpose dog: guardian of properties and livestock, hunting dog for wild boar and bear, and even as a fighting dog due to its loose skin that made the opponent's bites more difficult.

In the mid-20th century, the breed was on the verge of extinction following the arrival of the communist regime in China. In the 1970s, breeder Matgo Law launched an international appeal to save the breed, which sparked a wave of interest in the West. The breed was recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1992 and by the FCI, and quickly gained popularity in Europe and America as an exotic and original pet.

Today the Shar Pei is known throughout the world, although breed enthusiasts work to preserve the original characteristics of the working Shar Pei compared to versions with more extreme wrinkles selected for their appearance. The breed shares with the Chow Chow the trait of the blue-black tongue, making them the only two breeds with this characteristic.

The Shar Pei is a medium-sized, compact and well-muscled dog, whose most striking characteristic is its abundant and wrinkled skin, particularly visible on the head, neck and shoulders. In puppies, the wrinkles cover the entire body and gradually reduce with age. The muzzle is wide and resembles that of a hippopotamus, and the tongue and palate are blue-black in colour, a unique genetic trait of the breed.

Its temperament is self-assured, reserved and deeply loyal to its family. It is not an effusive dog and does not easily socialise with strangers: it needs time to trust and rarely accepts contact with unknown people without having assessed them first. With its family it is affectionate and calm, and can be an excellent companion if it receives appropriate education and socialisation from puppyhood.

One of the most notable characteristics of the Shar Pei is its independent thinking: it is not a dog that obeys by reflex, but one that evaluates each situation before acting. This requires an owner experienced with dominant-natured breeds, capable of establishing clear boundaries with firmness and consistency.

The most important and specific care for the Shar Pei is the daily cleaning of its skin folds. The moisture and dirt that accumulate between the folds can easily cause bacterial or fungal infections. The folds must always be kept clean and dry, especially around the muzzle, neck and armpits. Bathing can be carried out every three to four weeks.

The Shar Pei's coat does not require intensive brushing, but does benefit from a weekly brush to remove dead hair. Care must be taken to brush in the correct direction of the coat, as brushing in the opposite direction can be irritating for the animal. It is also essential to check the ears regularly, as their shape can promote wax accumulation.

Exercise for the Shar Pei should be moderate: two daily walks of twenty to thirty minutes are sufficient for a healthy adult. It is a dog sensitive to heat, so exercise should be avoided during the hottest hours of the day. Nutrition should be of high quality with simple, easily digestible ingredients, given its history of food sensitivities.

Shar Pei Familial Fever (SPF) is a recurring inflammatory disease specific to the breed, characterised by episodes of high fever and painful swelling of the hocks. It can lead to amyloidosis, the deposition of amyloid proteins in the kidneys and liver that progresses to organ failure. There is no cure, but it can be managed with anti-inflammatory medication under strict veterinary supervision.

Eye problems are also common in the breed, especially entropion, in which the eyelid rolls inward rubbing against the cornea. This condition, aggravated by the forehead folds, generally requires surgical correction in the first months of life. Dermatitis and skin infections in the folds are also recurring problems if hygiene is inadequate.

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