Page 86 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

CATALOG OF BREEDS | WORKING DOGS

Chinese Shar-Pei

HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN Variety of colors
18–20in 40–55lb Over 10 years
(46–51cm) (18–25kg)

A generally friendly temperament is hidden
Tail carried high
and curved over
behind this dog’s scowling face

The origins of this native Chinese breed breeding the dogs to
are not known, but dogs of this type are accentuate their wrinkled
shown on pottery dating from the Han faces, producing what the
dynasty (206BCE–220CE) and are mentioned Chinese called the meat-mouth
in manuscripts dating from the 13th century. type (as opposed to the traditional,
The Chinese Shar-Pei’s traditional jobs cleaner-faced bone-mouth form).
included herding and guarding livestock, However, breeding for excessively
hunting, and fighting; the dog’s wrinkled loose and folded facial skin caused
skin and bristly coat made it difficult for the dogs to develop entropion (a
other dogs to grab hold of the animal. (The painful condition in which the
name Shar-Pei roughly means “sandy coat,” eyelashes turn inward), and so this
referring to the rough texture of the hair). practice has now largely stopped.
During the 20th century the numbers The Chinese Shar-Pei’s amiable
dwindled almost to extinction in mainland nature and compact size make it
China, although the Shar-Pei was still suitable for a town or country home.
being bred in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The dog’s distinctive appearance
In the 1970s the includes the famous wrinkles, which
breed became are limited to the head and shoulders
popular in the on adults; a blue tongue; small,
US, and, at triangular ears; and a snub nose,
least for a which some Chinese people call a
while, owning butterfly-cookie nose. The coat
a Chinese Shar-Pei varies in length from very short
became a fashion and prickly to the touch (the horse
statement due to its coat) to slightly longer and
PUPPY rarity. People started smoother hair (the brush coat).

FIT FOR THE TASK

The similarity between dog artifacts of the
Han dynasty (206BCE–220CE) and the Shar-
Pei are very striking, despite the drop ears
and much looser, wrinkled skin of the
modern dog. It is thought that these
features were developed when the Shar-Pei
was used as a fighting dog. Small, drop ears
minimized the chance of injury, and the loose
skin prevented its adversary from getting
a firm grip, allowing the Chinese Shar-Pei
to maneuver and defend itself.

EARTHENWARE STATUE,
EASTERN HAN DYNASTY

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