The Shar Pei has well deserved the qualification of being one of the rarest dogs in the world, because they really are and it is that their particular appearance is due to their wrinkled skin or in the form of folds and because they are originally from ancient China.
Like many of the Asian legacies, Shar Pei have an exotic and charming appearance that has bewitched the canine world.
The Chinese origin of the Shar Pei
Despite having evidence of his lineage from before Christ, its recognition has been quite recent and he can be counted as one more victim of absurd political ideas. The Shar Pei has been a leading pet in historical events and is part of the modern Canis Lupus breeds.
The term Shar Pei originates from the combination of two ideograms (symbols of the Chinese alphabet) whose meaning is literally skin of sand. This word refers both to the texture of the dog's coat and to the shape of the sand dunes. The origin of this mascot dates back more than 2.000 years, when the Hang dynasty reigned in the Asian country. This historical period was from 206 BC to the XNUMXnd century AD.. The breed was common along the coastline of the China Sea, specifically in the town of Dialak, Kwung Tung province.
Thanks to his appearance he became Hang dynasty symbol, becoming the favorite of the high nobility of the country, a fact that later could have cost it extinction. Dark times have come for these iconic pets of imperial China when communism represented by Mao Tse-Tung considered it a symbol of the bourgeoisie. Like other breeds that were companion dogs, this nearly drove them to extinction.
During the XNUMXs a group of people aware of the importance of race kept some offspring in Hong Kong and Taiwan Among them, the breeder Matgo-Law stood out, managing to export some specimens to the United States where he finally achieved the fame he deserved, thus achieving the recovery of the breed.
Features
It is definitely the appearance that makes this breed so unique. The uniqueness of its folds in the characteristic mantle covering a body of medium size and square shape. With a Benjamin Button style effect, Shar Pei puppies have much more wrinkles on the head, neck and body than adults.
In this breed there is a difference in height and weight between both genders, since the female can measure between 46 and 49 centimeters and weigh no more than 20 kilos and the male is slightly larger, measuring between 49 and 51 centimeters, weighing around 21 kilograms. The muscle tone of the body is strong and it must not present folds in mature age, except in the area of the withers and part of the tail.
The head is large in relation to the body, but in acceptable proportion with drooping folds on the forehead and cheeks. Small, thick ears with rounded triangular tips hang down. The lips and muzzle are fleshy and the latter has the same shape as that of the hippopotamus. The tongue is blue-black, a characteristic that he shares with the Chow ChowIt is preferred to choose a dog with a dark eye color and that the eyelids do not have folds that interrupt vision.
The tail of the Shar Pei should never be amputated, in addition is rounded at the base and culminates in a fine point. The dog can carry it in different ways, be it curved, falling on the back, high or hunched.
Undoubtedly the most characteristic of this breed is the coat that is allowed in various colors (except white) and the short, rough-textured hair. It is covered in folds or wrinkles that give it its unique appearance, a dermal formation of Shar Pei known as mucinosis. Mucinosis is really a hereditary disease what causes the Wrinkles characteristics in the skin of this breed, a genetic alteration that is based on the multiplication of the HAS2 enzyme that produces hyaluronic acid. This substance accumulates on the skin and is what causes the folds.
Character
As puppies this breed tends to be quite restless and mischievous, since they are playful, active and you have to educate them to prevent them from biting everything. As they mature, their character becomes calm and passive, with a penchant for sedentary lifestyle. They are also independent, distrustful, territorial, and possessive. This leads them to be very loyal to their owners and they get along very well with children., with those who have a lot of patience. Their independence and self-sufficiency are compared to that of cats and they even have similar behaviors that show up when they play.
Health diseases and care
The first thing that is recommended when acquiring any breed of dog is to take it to the vet and have all its vaccinations up to date. This first visit is also important for guide the owner with regard to the care they should take according to the particularities of each race.
Instructions regarding dewormers, food and hygiene care products should be followed. In the case of Shar Pei highlight the care that should be taken with regard to the hygiene of the ears, to avoid infections. It is very important for this breed to be aware of the hereditary diseases that it can present, among which a abnormal growth of the crease of the eyelids (entropion), something that is controlled with preventive surgery and must be done so as not to risk ocular diseases.
Hip dysplasia can also occur, so a balanced diet aimed at avoiding overweight which can aggravate the condition. Physical exercise must be present with the respective daily walks.
The folds are the result of a genetic mutation that causes several allergy skin diseases in this breed. For this, it is advisable to follow the veterinarian's recommendations and a hypoallergenic diet and care. By last it is important to educate them so that they know how to socialize with other pets since we were kids. They are excellent companion dogs, especially in spaces and with owners with similar routines.
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