Shar Peis are the really wrinkly dogs from China that were all the rage in the 1980’s. They’d been around for centuries in China, but the Western world didn’t get their own Shar Peis until then. It has been suspected that the Shar Peis that were sold to North Americans were of far inferior stock than their kin in China. The gene pool in North America is very small, so finding a healthy puppy is rare.

These grow into massive dogs with solid muscle, making them look like a canine wrinkly-faced equivalent of Mike Tyson. They need plenty of exercise, especially if they are to live in an apartment. Their skin is usually so loose it looks as if you can fit another dog in it. If you come across a purebred Shar Pei with tight skin, it is still a purebred Shar Pei ? just not one that can’t be shown.

The breed standard for Shar Peis (also called Chinese Shar Peis) described the ideal Shar Pei as standoffish. They should act superior, as if they know they are worth a lot more money than you are. This is not a breed that eagerly greets strangers or easily wags his tail. However, they can be affectionate and playful with their people, usually preferring one family member above the rest. Puppies need to be introduced to other dogs and other people very early in life in order for them not to be aggressive.

Other ways Shar Peis can get disqualified from the show ring is by not having a solid colored coat. They often come in a brown and white coat that resembles an English Springer Spaniel’s. This is sometimes called a flowered Shar Pei among Shar Pei enthusiasts. Sometimes a small tuft of white is allowed on a show dog. If they have bear coats, in which the hairs are over one inch long, they will also be disqualified.

There is some strange Shar Pei information floating around, especially on the web, so you have to select your dog or puppy very carefully. Shar Peis need a lot of exercise ? at least a vigorous half hour walk a day ? but need little grooming.

here are three kinds of coat lengths, only two of which are recognized by the American Kennel Club. These coats consist of the short “horse coat”, the longer “brush coat” and the very rare “bear coat”, which has hair longer than one inch.

As a consequence, these are not very friendly dogs, on the whole. They usually do well with children, but become aggressive to other dogs and to adults. They often bond closest to one member of the family. They make great watchdogs and need a lot of exercise in order to burn up their energy.

If you have physical problems, the Shar Pei is not for you. If you have a timid nature, then the Shar Pei is definitely not for you as they will quickly give commands to you and expect to be obeyed. Research and think carefully before bringing a Shar Pei home.