The Chinese Shar Pei is said to be more then 2000 years old! Dating back to the Han Dynasty (202 b.c.-ad 220). When you see a Shar Pei today they are what many call Americanized. With such a tiny gene pool of stock brought over in 1973, North America's foundation breeders did what was necessary to expand by using small amounts of other canines. It is said that the Chow Chow and the Shar Pei may share some common ancestry or in fact descend from each other. The Shar Pei is in no way a smooth coated Chow Chow, it is it's own breed!
In an attempt to save the breed this 2000 year old dog evolved looking slightly different then those of the original.
The Shar Pei has existed for centuries in the southern provinces of his native land bordering on the South China Sea. It's original home is thought to be the village of Dah Let in the Kwangtung Province.
Used for hunting such animals as the wild boar and to protect livestock from predators. Most of all this breed served as guardian of his master's home.
Bred selectively for intelligence and strength, his sheer warrior scowl helped to intimidate those who meant harm to their farmer owners.
The Shar Pei of today is said to have an aloof nature being somewhat wary of strangers, this is NOT always the case. I'm am truly a fan of the more outgoing less aloof Pei. I believe like any breed, socialization plays a pivotal role in the temperament of your pet. Both with humans as well as others in the canine world.
The Chinese Shar Pei dates back long before this regal breed entered North America. It was a 2 year old bitch named Little Pea that was to have the first U.S whelped litter in October of 1973.
Little Pea came from Matgo Law's own Down-Homes kennel in Hong Kong. Without Mr. Matgo Law's help this breed was sure to go the way of the dinosaur.
In May 1971 an issue of the magazine DOGS published a photo of a Shar Pei describing it as "possibly the last surviving specimen of the breed." Matgo Law saw that magazine and thankfully he did! At the time, Matgo owned several of these dogs. Along with fellow fancier, Mr. Chung Ching Ming, the two conceived the idea of a rescue operation to prevent the breed from being lost forever.
It was a letter and pictures of the Shar Pei in the April 1973 issue of Dogs that lead to the salvation of the breed. Hundreds of letters poured in from buyers wanting to produce puppies or breeding stock.
The first U.S kennels were established in California, Oregon,Ohio,Indiana, North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Despite several years having past since the introduction to the U.S, Guinness Book Of World Records listed the Shar Pei as the rarest breed in the world in 1978. Today this beloved breed is still not seen as often as many other's, but the numbers are certainly far from that of 1978.
When the Chinese Shar Pei first came to North America there was most certainly a lack of breed information. New and future breeders had to learn by simply acquiring practical experience. Not having any real literature available was a true handicap to fanciers back in 1973.
The first noteworth Chinese Shar Pei book was not penned till 1979 and did not come out till 1980. 7 years is a long time to just wing it!
Lois E. Alexander, the first North American to whelp a litter surely relied on Matgo Law for ALL her information. I find it rather interesting that still today there is much we do not know about this breed. It just seems to keep evolving!
I have made it my personal mission to rely on only the newest books and related literature regarding our breed. I find the older the information the more likely it does not still apply. Having said that, I love the older Shar Pei books and own many. They are a great resource and I use them for comparison all the time to the information of today.
A perfect example of the earliest books information is that in one of the very earliest among them (1980) it was said Chinese Shar Pei do not shed! I have a Hoover that would beg to differ on that thought!
I am wondering if in fact they original did NOT shed but due to changes in climate, surroundings, diet and overall care, they simply started to shed at some point over the years? Also note worthy might be the fact the BRUSH COAT became a far more common coat length in North America. When you see the hair that a HORSE COAT sheds in relation to that of a BRUSH COAT there is an obvious difference. The hair is half the length, therefore half the amont left on the floor. Please don't fool yourself. Shar Pei SHED! And can shed plenty regardless of coat length.
Please check out the NEW Chinese Shar Pei Forum and Discussion Group here at bearposhsharpei!
We are a members only, free service
www.sharpeiforumsatbearposh.com
