Chinese Shar-Pei showcasing its distinct features
If you are looking for a guard dog with an intimidating appearance, the Chinese Shar-Pei is a breed you might want to consider. Its look is something that you won’t see every day. This breed has a muscular physique that defines power and agility.
One distinct feature of the Chinese Shar-Pei is its wrinkled skin, pretty much similar to bulldogs. This unique coat of the Chinese Shar-Pei is often called sand-skin because of its color and texture. Its coat is rough, which could easily be compared with sandpaper.
Just by looking at this dog, it is apparent that it possesses several good qualities that make it an excellent breed. Besides its strong appearance, the Chinese Shar-Pei is packed with many distinct features perfect for its role as a guard dog. Furthermore, this dog is not only an outstanding guardian; it also makes an exceptional family companion.
Origins of the Chinese Shar-Pei
The Chinese Shar-Pei is a breed that evidently originated in ancient China. One thing that is common in ancient China was their isolated culture from the outside world. This closed society was not only seen in various industries, but also in Chinese dog breeds. With the numerous breeds that originated in China, one thing is always clear – each breed shows distinct features, which makes them incredibly unique. A perfect example of this is the Chinese Shar-Pei.
We can trace back the origins of the Shar-Pei to more than 2,000 years ago. Speculations show that this breed was a famous peasant’s dog during the Han Dynasty. Its ancestor’s past work explains why this breed is an all-around worker. People used the Shar-Pei in different activities, but the most common was hunting and guarding.
However, changes in China’s government led to the catastrophic decline of its purebred dog population. It was mainly due to the several changes in its system, wherein the discouragement of dog ownership was one of them. The event left the Chinese dogs on the brink of extinction.
Thankfully, specimens of the Shar-Pei were preserved over the years, wherein dog breeders made steps on developing the breed. The late 20th century was the first time Shar-Pei reached the United States despite its relatively low population. It gained recognition over the years, mainly because of the advocacy of Matgo Law. He was a dog breeder who promoted the restoration of the Shar-Pei, which sparked the interest of many dog lovers in the United States.
Characteristics of the Chinese Shar-Pei
Height: 18 – 20 inches
Weight: 45 – 60 pounds
Life Expectancy: 8 – 12 years
Hypoallergenic: No
The Chinese Shar-Pei is a medium-sized breed that could stand up to twenty inches tall and weighs sixty pounds. Despite its relatively smaller size compared to other massive breeds, the Shar-Pei has an incredibly muscular body. This strong and athletic physique makes it perfect for guarding works. Aside from being a guard dog, the Shar-Pei can also work In various fields, such as herding, sports, and many others. Its body allows it to be versatile, especially because of its history in ancient China.
Its appearance shows a very distinct face, mainly because of its wrinkles. It also has its iconic sunken eyes and small triangular ears. Its robust body is built for power and speed, which is evident in its looks. Another distinct feature of the Chinese Shar-Pei is its coat, which has a rough texture. Its coat is often called sand skin – which also means Shar-Pei.
Aside from strength, agility, versatility, and unique appearance, the Chinese Shar-Pei is also known to have a soft heart. This dog has exceptional loyalty towards its family and is fearless against predators and intruders. It is also highly intelligent, making it suitable for other activities. Along with its intelligence is its trainability. Overall, the Chinese Shar-Pei is a one of a kind dog that is capable of various tasks. It is a perfect guard dog because of its incredible features. With all the excellent qualities this dog possesses, it is known to be an outstanding choice for a family companion.