SHAR PEI - Know this millenary breed from China

We know that The dog is man's best friend, but what very few know is that this friendship dates back to thousands of years. There are some dog breeds that have been news since ancient times, as evidence has been found in daily use utensils achieved in excavations. One of those races is the Shar Pei, which is believed to be originally from China and from which drawings made on ceramic vessels have been found that date back to more than 200 B.C.  

This breed has common body characteristics with other races also considered old, which are supposed to have allowed them to adapt and resist the very diverse environmental conditions that they have been able to face for so many years. We are going to know a little more about this breed of dog that had a great boom in ancient times as a company animal.

• Size: Medium.
• Weight: Between 18 and 30kg.
• Hair type: Very short and smooth.
• Character: Distrustful, devout, affectionate, reserved, independent, loving
• Health: Quite delicate health
• Life expectancy: Between 9 and 11 years.

Shar Pei History

There is an unseeding hypothesis that Shar Pei are descendants of the Chinese Chow Chow race because both have a bluish black tongue. However, there is no certainty of this data because, during its greatest boom in the time of the Han dynasty (206 BC to 220 A.D.), Central Asia was a commercial traffic route between the colonies of the Roman Empire and that could allow the arrival in China of dog breeds that were originally from the Roman colonies.  

Some races of mastiffs have also been considered among their ancestors, such as the Dogo del Tibet, and it has even been pointed to the Mountain Race of the Pyrenees, which shares with Sharpei the presence of double supplementary fingers, although this last relationship is not so strong, because there are breeds in France, Mongolia and other Asia regions that also present this characteristic. Many of the Physical characteristics of Shar Pei They assume that this breed could be used as a guard dog, although the Chinese considered it as a fight dog and also used it for hunting. Then They were used as company dogs Therefore, when the Popular Republic of China and the communist regime were established, the Sharpei were persecuted and almost extinguished because they considered themselves a symbol of capitalism. That persecution caused some specimens to be taken out of China and some varieties, such as the American. In Hong Kong, some copies were also rescued, but the line that was reproduced was of lower quality than it currently exists. 

Shar Pei Characteristics

The most distinctive characteristic of Shar Pei is the amount of folds or wrinkles that are formed in the skin, especially when he is a puppy. In fact, his Chinese name means "sand skin”In allusion to the movement of wrinkles when moving and to be rough to touch. It is considered a medium dog, with a square and fornid body constitution, largely in proportion to the body, wrinkles on the forehead and on the cheeks and towards the area of ​​the tail. Its colors can be varied, among them is the black, gray or blue, the lilac, which is a very clear tone of gray, the color, the color, the color, the color, the color, the color, the color of the color Chocolate. With few exceptions the fur is uniform and solid. Only the white color is not recognized by the FCI. The chocolate color is very quoted due to its rarity.  

The most common form of its tail is rounded base becoming narrower towards the tip, while the way it carries it can be varied: curved on the back, falling to one side or another, tall and hunched over or as a tirabuz. The snout form is also peculiar and characteristic of this race; It is wide from the base to the tip and can present a bulging. Another of its distinctive characteristics is the coloration of the tongue, the palate, the gums and the Belfos, which are between blue and black. The lips are very fleshy. The shape of its triangle -shaped ears is striking, with a rounded tip, directed towards the eyes. They are small and thick, glued to the skull and very separate between them. 

Shar Pei Temperament

The Shar Pei are described as dogs of a quiet and independent nature, although always alert and active. They are affectionate with known people, but they can be little friendly with strangers. It is not considered an aggressive dog, but its nature is a hunter, so it must be well trained to control its aggressiveness in moments of play. Puppies are unruly and like to play, but that changes once they grow. The dogs of this race must be subject to a fairly strict and careful training because their hunting nature can make them little sociable and irreverent. During their formation and growth they must be subjected to noise, presence of other dogs and groups of people to overcome their natural suspicion towards the unknown. They can have a Very active behavior, efficiently performing many tasks taught. 

Shar Pei care

Shar Pei feed

The dogs of the Shar Pei race are very sensitive to allergies And they have a delicate stomach, so food must be based on rice and fish, mainly, foods that are more digestible to them.

Shar Pei Body Care

There are many myths around The body care that dogs of the Shar Pei race must have. However, their care is not very different from those that must be followed with some other dog breeds. The bathroom should not be excessive not to eliminate the fat layer that surrounds your body and provides protection. It is suggested to bathe them every month and a half or two months. Of course, after the bathroom or if you get wet for some other reason, special care must be taken to dry each of the folds of your skin to avoid the appearance of fungi. Since their fur is very short, they can be exposed to sunburn and must also protect themselves from excessive cold.  

With them you should be more careful to avoid flea attack and ticks, because skin folds are a perfect hiding place for these parasites. It is recommended to use an antipary spray once a week, but only in those areas more likely to the annoying bichitos. Sharpei hair should also be brushed weekly and should not be cut, to avoid possible wounds in the most rough skin areas. Eyes and ears care should be a bit more detailed. Again, The skin folds of the Shar Pei They can be somewhat annoying, because they stimulate the formation of legañas in the eyes, which must be eliminated with boiled or chamomile water to avoid their accumulation and that infections are produced.  

For its part, the small auditory channel that Sharpei possesses due to the peculiar shape of its ears makes it very easy to accumulate wax and dirt, which you must monitor to remove every day if necessary. Sometimes, you can feel a strong smell that will require the visit to the veterinarian.

Physical activity

The dogs of the race Shar Pei require daily exercises because they are very energetic animals that have a tendency to overweight. Three walks are recommended to help them drain the energies. It is a dog that loves walking, with an agile and balanced step.

Diseases suffered by dogs from the Shar Pei race

Many of the diseases suffering from specimens of this breed are related to the presence of wrinkles in their skin. This feature favors the appearance of fungi and other skin problems, such as dermatitis, dryness and the formation of leather flaps or warts in the eyelids, both higher and lower, which can even affect the operation of the eye.  

A disease that can be important in the dogs of this race is the so -called Shar Pei fever, which is hereditary, but not mortal if it has been detected since they are puppies and is treated properly. The origin of this evil is not known very well, only that the dog is suffering some infectious process. The characteristic symptoms are high fever (more than 39 ° C), inflammation of the joints, mainly in the limbs; inflammation of snout and stomach discomfort. Generally the symptoms appear before the year and a half. The treatment for these symptoms must be indicated by a veterinarian, who can supply the antipyretic and anti -inflammatory dog ​​non -steroidal for joint pain, together with antibiotics. Since it is a disease that has no cure, all prevention and care must be considered to control symptoms and avoid complications. Although there are some other evils associated with the eyes, the mouth, the nostrils and body deformations or physiological dysfunctions, the work done by the serious and responsible breeders has managed to eradicate some other of the most serious problems presented by the dogs of the Shar Pei race. 

Data and curiosities about the dogs of the Shar Pei race

What is the best atmosphere for a Shar Pei?

A dog of the Shar Pei race can adapt almost to any situation, either to life in the field or in an apartment, then It's a neat dog, nothing scandalous and very independent. Of course, he prefers to live in shelter with his family, even if he needs his daily walks.

What are the phobias of the dogs of the Shar Pei race?

They don't like water at all! Nor are they very friends with excessive heat, since they produce respiratory difficulties. 

What is Shar Pei's relationship with other "little"?

Shar pei are considered to maintain "Good relationships”With children and other pets whenever they are raised with them. However, certain precautions should be taken, especially when they play, because they can have somewhat aggressive trends. It is also advisable to teach children to treat their pets well.

It is believed that Shar Pei are fearful

Sometimes, the dogs of the Shar Pei race can flee when someone suddenly approaches them, but they do not flee because they are scared, but because of the lack of good peripheral vision due to the presence of skin folds around their eyes. In fact, They are considered excellent guard dogs, so you should not get carried away by the quiet aspect they present.

The Shar Pei have a strong snoring

Almost like any dog, The specimens of this Roncan breed. Sometimes, they have a way of snack that can be confused with grunts. Both are characteristics present in crushed face dogs.

Are Shar Pei slugs?

The Shar Pei are not considered sluggish dogs, although they can produce drool after drinking water, when they are trapped in the folds that surround their mouth. In addition, as expected, drool when you show them some food that they know is delicious. 

Some Shar Pei Famous

During the 70s The dogs of this breed were used in innumerable advertising campaigns, which led them to become one of the most fashionable dogs at that time. The consequences were disastrous, because the breeders wanted to develop specimens of Shar Pei with more wrinkles, producing great complications of the skin and eyes. They also developed a variety not yet recognized call Mini Pei That, as the name implies, it is much smaller. If you are thinking of acquiring a sharei, you should know that the decision of buy one of these dogs You must have more to do with your willingness to take care of your training than with its characteristics, since we have seen that It is a very familiar and affectionate animal, which can be a good companion animal, but also a good guard dog that needs great care and attention.