Shar Peis The Really Wrinkly Dog 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 are big, muscular dogs that often tip the scales at fifty to sixty pounds. They were originally bred for dog fighting, so their personalities are far different than most other breeds of dogs. They are single person dogs and usually do not get on well with other dogs, but usually do well with children. They have strong wills to match their strong bodies. These are not dogs for the first time dog owner, for those with physical problems, or those with a submissive nature. 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.

The Shar Pei is thought to be descended from the Chow Chow, and, like the Chow Cow, has a blue-black colored tongue (the only breeds of dog to have this quirk). They are incredibly wrinkly when born (as puppies are kind of wrinkly anyway) and they tend to loose most of their body wrinkles as they mature. They usually retain a lot of wrinkles around the head. Their skin is usually loose. The Shar Pei temperament is perhaps the most surprising, considering the breed is considered so cute in North America. They were bred to be fighting dogs. The loose skin and wrinkles give not only a scowling appearance, but less of a solid hold for an opponent to sink his teeth into. Chinese Shar Peis are a lot like Japanese Sumo wrestlers. They were also bred to fight off human and animal predators from livestock.

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. They are fearless dogs that feel superior to the rest of the world that need few excuses to ignore you. These are not the dogs for first time dog owners.

Melissa Coleman loves everything having to do with dogs, including Sharp Peis. The Shar Pei usually gets along with kids and other pets except other dogs. Fewer Shar Peis would be abandoned if people knew more Shar Pei information before they brought a puppy home.