Shar Pei
Alternative names
Chinese Shar Pei Chinese Fighting Dog
Country of origin
China
Classification
FCI: Group 2 Section 2 AKC: Nonsporting ANKC: Group 7 (Non-Sporting) CKC: Group 6 - Non-Sporting Dogs KC(UK): Utility NZKC: Non-sporting
Breed standards (external links)
FCI, AKC, ANKC, KC(UK), NZKC
Notes
Note

Shar Pei is a breed of dog whose distinctive feature is deep wrinkles. The name itself translates to "Sand Skin," not because of their colors, but because of their texture. As young puppies, they have lots of wrinkles, but as they mature, the wrinkles disappear as they "grow into their skin". They were not recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1991.

The Shar Pei were originally bred as Chinese fighting dogs. At one point they were close to extinction, and credited in the Guinness Book of World Records, as 'The rarest dog in the world'. Since then, however, the Shar Pei have begun to thrive in many parts of the world as an excellent family dog, due to their loving and devoted nature.