Recognized the world over for its unique wrinkled coat and blue-black tongue, lets get to know the dog called the Shar Pei. Its also referred to by its other names, such as the sharkskin dog, the Chinese Shar Pei or Chinese Fighting Dog, because it was in China that it originated. The name Shar Pei can be roughly translated to sand paper skin, which takes into account its rough, prickly hide.

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!

Of medium size and substance and squarish in profile, the Shar Pei has what is called a hippopotamus head and an endearing, melancholy expression. For many years, the Shar Pei was used as a general-purpose farm dog in the Chinese countryside, for such purposes as hunting, protecting cattle (stock), and as a guard dog for the family and home. During that period, it was bred for its intelligence, strength, and scowling face!

The loose skin and harsh coat were specifically bred into the Shar Pei in order to aid it in fighting, so that its opponent would find it next to impossible to grab and hold on to it. Possessing no undercoat, their coats do not need to be trimmed, but regular brushing would be perfect. The adults do not have as many wrinkly skin folds as the puppies, for this breed loses its wrinkles as it gets older.

They have three coat varieties: the horse-coat, the brush-coat, and the rare bear-coat. The horse-coat is prickly to the touch and is rough like sand, but the brush coat has longer hair and is softer to the touch. Their coats come in all solid colors and in sables too.

The loyal Shar Pei connects well with his family and is outstandingly devoted to his master. They are fearless, bright, playful, dominant and full of character. They are recognized by their melancholy expression, but they are surprisingly calm, self-reliant, loyal and friendly dogs.

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.