The Shar Pei is famous throughout the world as a distinctively wrinkled breed of dog with a blue-black tongue. It is also known as the Chinese Shar Pei or Chinese Fighting Dog, as it derives from China, but it is also called the sharkskin dog. Its name translates to sand paper skin, referring to the texture of its short, rough coat.

The Shar Pei are no doubt an ancient breed, because we can trace their ancestors to as far back as 2,000 years ago! The bluish tongue is unique to only one other breed, the chow-chow, and they are thought to be related. Because of the way it looks and its close link to the chow-chow, the Shar Pei has ties with the giant Mastiff breeds!

The Shar Pei have the distinctive hippopotamus head, are medium sized and squarish in profile, and wear a sad expression that seems almost irresistibly comical. They were used for a long time as general-purpose farm dogs in countrysides in China, for jobs like guarding stock, hunting, and protecting the family and home. It was raised for its cleverness, strength, and frowning expression (which the Chinese believed helped ward off evil spirits).

The loose skin and prickly coat were developed in the Shar Pei to aid it in fighting, as these traits would make it difficult for its opponent to grab and hold on to it. While they should be brushed regularly, their coat does not need to be trimmed, and they do not have an undercoat. Puppies have more wrinkles than adults, and the Shar Pei slowly lose their wrinkles as they get older.

There are three coat varieties in this breed: the horse-coat, a brush-coat, and the uncommon bear-coat, which is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. The unusual horse-coat is rough, extremely prickly to the touch, while the brush-coat has longer fur and a smoother texture. Coat colors include all solid colors, as well as sables.

The Shar Pei is a very loyal dog, is faithful to his handler and bonds well with his family. They are smart, spunky, playful, dominant, and quite courageous. The Shar Pei are known for having a perpetually frowning expression, but they are calm, devoted, easygoing and independent little fellows.

Because they are so smart, Shar Pei should have a firm but loving and consistent figure of authority, because a weak handler will end up being bossed around by this self-assured little fellow. Because they were initially bred to be fighters, they have an understandable tendency to be bull-headed, but this is easily fixed by early training, socialization and exercise. The Shar Pei have been many things in the past, including catching vermin, herding and tracking, and as long as you know the right way to treat and handle them, they can also be a wonderful companion for you and your family.