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What You Should Know About Shar Pei Puppies

MelissaColeman — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:51:41 CDT

The Shar Pei breed started in China around 200 B.C. It is easily recognizable by its wrinkled face and short ears. They started as a farm dog and then began to be used as a fighting dog. Although bright and willful, Shar Pei puppies do require consistent training. However, they are extremely loyal to their family while being aloof with strangers.

If you are going to get a Shar Pei then it is important that you choose the right Shar Pei puppy for your household. The first step in choosing a Shar Pei is making sure they are right for your household. If you want a watchdog that is protective and loyal then the Shar Pei is likely good for you since it is standoffish with strangers. If you have children and cats in your household then the Shar Pei is a good option since it will do well with both if it is socialized at an early age. However, always remember that the Shar Pei can be aggressive around other dogs.
You may want to consider another breed if you can't be firm and consistent when training Shar Pei puppies. A Shar Pei is stubborn and independent so they may not heed the commands of a person that is soft-spoken. The Shar Pei breed doesn't do well in weather extremes particularly heat, although they are fine if kept in an apartment or house.

It is also important that you give some thought to the health conditions that can affect Shar Pei puppies. Some of these conditions include entropion, familial Shar Pei fever, ear problems and allergies. Occasionally a dog with familial Shar Pei fever will eventually develop kidney failure as a result of anyloidosis. It is best to ask the person whom you are getting your Shar Pei puppy from whether or not they screened for health problems that are specifically related to the Shar Pei breed. If not you may face expensive medical bills for your dog later and decrease the quality of life for your dog.
You should consider your Shar Pei breeder just as carefully as you consider theShar Pei puppies. Ask the breeder if they are members of breed clubs, specialty clubs or obedience clubs. Be sure to check with the clubs after you have received the references from the breeder. If you don't check you will run the risk of getting stuck with a breeder that is running a puppy mill. Going with a reputable breeder means the person has carefully screened their dogs for all health problems before starting breeding.

Before making your final selection you should be prepared for how Shar Pei puppies will turn out. They will eventually grow to be about eighteen to twenty inches tall and have a weight between forty and fifty-five pounds at the point of maturity. A Shar Pei will usually live about ten years. For a pure bred Shar Pei from a reputable breeder you will likely pay about three hundred to five hundred dollars. After carefully considering these things you will know whether or not a Shar Pei puppy is right for your household.

It is a difficult process to selectShar Pei puppies, but beneficial to get the right addition to your household. By learninghow to choose the right Shar Pei puppy you will avoid a lot of trouble.

What Makes The Shar Pei Puppy So Adorable

MelissaColeman — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:04:50 CDT

The most ancient of breeds, the Shar Pei puppy has been guarding homes and families since the early days of its inception in ancient China. Known for the large folds of skin which cover its eyes, neck, and shoulders, the Shar Pei is as good tempered and protective as he is ugly. Originally bred in China as a fighting dog, the Shar Pei is fiercely loyal to, and protective of its family members making it an excellent addition to any family with children.

And yet, as sweet-tempered as this dog may be, it would seem that few have recognized its redeeming qualities. Once named the most rare dog breed in the world, the Shar Pei puppy has only gained recognition from the American Kennel Club since 1991. But happily, the Shar Pei puppy is slowly becoming more and more sought after, as more people realize that this gentle breed's temperament more than makes up for its unusual appearance.
Shar Pei puppies have a very distinctive appearance that makes them difficult to mistake for any other breed. A Shar Pei puppy is born with extras-large folds of skin, which cover most of its body. These folds gradually fill out as the dogs reach adulthood, leaving deep wrinkles about its face, neck and shoulders. The most popular Shar Pei puppy colors are red, blue, black and sand. The Shar Pei comes in three different coat styles, horse, brush and bear. However, only the horse and brush coats are considered acceptable for show.

But Shar Pei puppies are not without their disadvantages. Prone to certain health conditions, the Shar Pei puppy requires extra veterinary attention to help ensure that these issues don't become life threatening. Most of these health issues are the direct result of irresponsible breeding practices by breeders who don't concern themselves with making sure they only breed new Shar Pei puppies from healthy stock.
If you are looking to buy aShar Pei puppy, then it is up to you to make certain that you only purchase your pup from a respectable breeder. You can easily find a good breeder by asking your local veterinarian to recommend one of the breeders that he or she deals with on a regular basis. This is important so that you will know your new Shar Pei puppy has had the medical attention he needs to have a long and healthy life.

There's never been a better time to purchase a new Shar Pei puppy than now. With more and more people learning what a great dog the Shar Pei really is, there is more support now for Shar Pei puppy owners than ever before. These lovable pups make the perfect addition to any family, and with the right care, will provide you and your family with companionship for many, many years.

It is a fact thatShar Pei puppies require special treatment. But the love and affection a well-treated Shar Pei puppy will provide you with make it well worth the effort. For anyone looking for information about the Shar Pei puppy, whether it is about their history, their care, or you just need to know how to chooseShar Pei puppy names, this article will provide what you are looking for.

Help On Finding A Shar Pei Puppy For Sale

MelissaColeman — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:30:23 CDT

The Shar Pei breed of dog is something that has been around for a long time but has taken many American breeders and breeding organizations many years to recognize. The American Kennel Club did not recognize it as a breed until the early 1990's and for many years the Shar Pei was considered the rarest dog breed on the planet. If you are looking for a Shar Pei puppy for sale you want to be careful because they are rare and many bad breeders are trying to sell you an unhealthy dog. Always be mindful of your new pet and get it from a source you trust.

Look to your vet for a referral to a good Shar Pei breeder. If you don't have a vet then the breeder choice process is a great time to introduce yourself to one. A vet referral is a good thing and the breeder will more than likely honor a referral from someone as important to your pet's health as the vet.
Sometimes finding the best breeder can take a little work because some of the best breeders only work from referrals. If you know someone that owns a Shar Pei then see if they can give you a referral to a breeder that may have a Shar Pei puppy for sale. If you do not know any Shar Pei owners then hit the Internet and see if any local Shar Pei owners host websites of their dog. Contact them and ask them if they are at liberty to give out a referral for their breeder. You may find that referrals are hard to come by but in the end they are worth it.
Many people prefer to get their new pets from local animal shelters and that may be one of the best ways to get a new Shar Pei pup. You will feel great for giving a dog a second chance and your Shar Pei can wind up being a loving and loyal pet for many years to come.
If more people avoided buying from pet stores then maybe pet stores would stop selling puppies from puppy mills. AShar Pei puppy for sale from a pet store can be a bad experience with the way they are bred for pet stores and their high probability for being born unhealthy. Pet stores are great for selling supplies but they need to stick to the supplies and leave the animals to the professional breeders and to the rescue shelters that are always doing such wonderful work.

Always get your Shar Pei puppy from either a breeder or rescue one from an animal shelter. You will find a very loyal and loving dog that if you train it correctly, and treat it right, will bring you years of love and happiness for you and your family. It is never a bad decision to get a Shar Pei puppy for sale it can only be a bad decision where you get the dog. So make sure you do your research and get a dog you can all be happy with.

If you are looking forShar Pei puppies then use this article. If you need advice on where to getShar Pei puppy supplies then use this article.

Finding Top Quality Shar Pei Puppies For Sale

MelissaColeman — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:53:37 CDT

The most ancient of all dogs, Shar Pei puppies have quickly gained a reputation within the last twenty years as being one of the most desired dogs for families everywhere. So many people now looking for Shar Pei puppies for sale has led to an uprising of dishonest breeders running puppy mills trying to fill the ever increasing demand for these sweet dogs. Sadly, many people do not realize just how dangerous it can be to buy a dog from one of these mills, nor how to tell them apart from an honest breeder.

The first thing that one must remember when looking for Shar Pei puppies, is that a respectable breeder would never, ever place one of their Shar pie puppies for sale in a pet store, or in any other place where they would lose control over what kind of home their dogs were going to. Understanding this can help you to ensure that you only buy Shar Pei puppies from a quality breeder.
The thing to remember about quality breeders is that they would never place Shar Pei puppies for sale in a pet store, nor would they offer their dogs to anyone whom they had not thoroughly researched themselves. Quality breeders are most concerned that their pups are given to only the best possible homes. The Shar Pei puppies for sale that you find in pet stores most often come from less than reputable breeders who run breeding kennels known as puppy mills.

These puppy mills churn out pups by the dozen, and these dishonest puppy breeders care little for more than making money off of their dogs. The pups found in these mills, and consequently in the pet stores, are usually quite sick and need much medical attention if they are to have any sort of life. You can help to ensure that your dog comes from an honest breeder, simply by refusing to purchase any of the Shar Pei puppies for sale from any pet store.
By getting a recommendation from your local vet, you can find a quality breeder withShar Pei puppies for sale in your area. You may need to travel a bit to find a breeder, if there isn’t one local. But waiting to purchase any Shar Pei puppies from a quality breeder instead of a pet store can save you and your family quite a bit of heartache in the end.

In conclusion, it is important to remember that you should always have the right to inspect the conditions in which a particular breeder's Shar Pei puppies for sale have been kept. Any breeder who refuses to allow you to do so is probably keeping their dogs in abhorrent conditions, and should be avoided at all costs. Since there are plenty of honest breeders with Shar Pei puppies for sale, you needn't feel that you'll miss out on the dog of your dreams simply by waiting for the right breeder to come along.

With the rise in popularity ofShar Pei puppies over the last two decades, it is now more important than ever for people to learn the safe buying practices of Shar Pei puppies for sale. This article is for anyone concerned with finding Shar Pei puppies for sale and for tips on properShar Pei puppy care.

Shar Pei Breeders And Brokers

MelissaColeman — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:46:23 CDT

The original Chinese Shar Pei dates back to 200 B.C. Considered to be one of the fourteen ancient dog breeds, Shar Pei were originally bred to fight and to protect the Chinese royal family. Distinguishable by their wrinkled coats and blue-black tongues, Chinese Shar Peis grew out of their wrinkles as adults, retaining wrinkles only on the face, neck and shoulders. The current, western version of the Shar Pei keeps more of its wrinkles in adulthood. The breed also has a curly tail, short, coarse coat, sunken eyes and small ears. Coat colors can be red (rose), tan, white, grey or black. Coat length can be very short and coarse (horse coat), softer and up to one inch in length (brush coat), or long enough to cover the wrinkles (bear coat).

The Guinness Book of World Records named the Shar Pei the world's most rare dog in 1978. The American Kennel Club did not recognize the Shar Pei breed until 1992. However, this breed has developed a loyal following of Shar Pei breeder and buyer.
Finding a good Shar Pei breeder may be a daunting task at first because the breed is so rare. Potential buyers can utilize the Internet, the local ASPCA and word of mouth to find a good breeder. Most breeders also run or are at least affiliated with rescue centers that save purebred Shar Pei from abuse and neglect. Buying a rescued Shar Pei may be a good option for some buyers.

Some traits to identify a good Shar Pei breeder include maintaining a kennel to whelp and raise healthy puppies, encourage visits to the kennel to see the puppies and mothers, the puppies are friendly, happy, and do not appear afraid of people and they also interview potential buyers to make sure dog and new owner are a good match. Professional breeders are also affiliated with other animal support groups and rescue centers, recognized by the American Kennel Club and are able to provide references of other owners who have bought Shar Pei from them. Before turning over a puppy to a new owner an experienced breeder will have had the puppies evaluated for typical health conditions common to the Shar Pei breed, provide medical records and history of vaccinations and evaluations and provide pedigree information and registration papers
Reputable, experienced breeders never sell puppies to pet stores. A qualifiedShar Pei breeder will screen prospective buyers because they care about all the puppies they breed. They want to be sure each and every puppy goes to a great home with loving owners giving proper care. Backyard breeders or puppy mills mass produce puppies in unhealthy conditions. The puppies produced by these places are sickly, poorly bred. Then these puppies are shipped to pet stores all over the county to be locked up in display cases with very little exercise and not properly socialized for living with a family.

Good Shar Pei breeders will form relationships with rescue centers, veterinarians, animal control and law enforcement in the neighborhoods in which they live, building networks based on a love of animals. These are the kind of breeders you want to purchase a dog from because you are bound to get a healthy, happy friend for life.

A good Shar Pei breeder will never sell to a pet store.Shar Pei breeders love and value the breed and do not treat puppies as merchandise.Shar Pei information and how to find a Shar Pei breeder are covered in this article.

Shar Pei Breeders You Should Be Wary Of

MelissaColeman — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:38:37 CDT

So it is going to be a Shar Pei after all and now comes the most important part of the process of getting your new pet, you have to compile a list of Shar Pei breeders to talk to. There are ways to eliminate certain breeders before you even get to talk to them and that is probably a good thing to do because this search is very important. You want all of the input you can get from qualified sources so that your time is spent talking to good candidates and not wasted talking to bad breeders.

Always ask a breeder what national breeder registry they are listed with and then confirm their answer for yourself by checking it out on the Internet. If a breeder has chosen not to be affiliated with a national breeder registry then this may be something you want to question as registries set the breeding standards that good breeders use in their everyday business.
It cannot be emphasized enough that your vet is an invaluable resource when it comes to Shar Pei breeders and you should consult with your vet about the breeders you are considering. If you do not have a vet at the time then there is no better time to secure the services of a vet than when you are looking through Shar Pei breeders. Your vet will have the information you need and that can help save you a lot of potential future aggravation.

Sometimes when you meet a breeder everything seems great on the outside but if you ask local law enforcement about them then you find an entirely different story. If a breeder's history is cataloged with the local police then you may want to stay away from that breeder and find a new group of Shar Pei breeders to talk to for your sake and the sake of your future pet.
For some reason people always look at the Internet as a way of only getting national and international information. The Internet is a great way to get any kind of information and you can use the Internet to help you weed out the badShar Pei breeders in your area. Sometimes people that have exceptionally bad experiences with breeders will post about that somewhere on the Internet for everyone to read. You can save yourself a lot of aggravation you do not need to go through if you just take the time to search the Internet.

Searching for a breeder is an important search and your final decision is very important to your family and your future pet so take your time and utilize all of your resources before you make your final decision. You can save yourself a lot of time if you just use the information available to you to eliminate breeders that are not worth talking to.

You can find important information about how to find goodShar Pei breeders in this article. This article contains helpfulShar Pei information as to where to find a good breeder.

Spotting A Fake Shar Pei Breeder

MelissaColeman — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:08:58 CDT

When the time has come to get your new Shar Pei dog you will more than likely find yourself looking for a good Shar Pei breeder. Some people say they are a Shar Pei breeder but in reality they are just faking their way through it and have no idea how to properly breed and raise Shar Pei dogs. There are questions you can ask and things you can do to tell if you are dealing with a bad Shar Pei breeder or not and you should always do your research for your own good.

Always ask what national breeding registry the Shar Pei breeder is listed with. A national breeding registry will indicate what breeding standard they use and what kind of quality they look for in their dogs. If a breeder is not listed with a national breeder registry then ask why and also ask what they use for a breeding standard so you can find out how they gauge the quality of the dogs they sell.
Sometimes people pass up the chance to check in some places that they should check when researching a prospective Shar Pei breeder and one of those sources is local law enforcement. If you are researching a breeder and local law enforcement has a thick file on that breeder then there is probably a really good chance that you do not want to deal with that breeder. A history of run-ins with the law can usually indicate someone that is not very trustworthy and you need to trust your breeder.

Always check out a business with the Better Business Bureau before getting involved in any major purchases like buying a family pet. If a business has a long list of complaints against them then they are probably not the kind of business you want to deal with. Most good businesses belong to the Better Business Bureau and they have a great search engine on the Internet you can use whenever you want.
Never forget that your vet is usually plugged in to the information that flows around the local breeder community and your vet can be a great source of advice and information on how to conduct your search for aShar Pei breeder and they can also offer their opinion on the breeders you are considering. Your vet has your pet's health in mind as much as you do so always listen to a recommendation from your vet when it comes to choosing a breeder.

A conversation with the breeder can also give you an idea of how they run their business and what kind of person they are. If they have no time for talk then they are not someone you want to do business with. A good breeder will ask you as many questions as you ask them and they will want you to be comfortable with them before you buy a dog. Always be ready to ask a lot of questions.

This article is full of helpful information on findingShar Pei breeders. This article contains lots of importantShar Pei information.

Questions For A Shar Pei Breeder

MelissaColeman — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:53:41 CDT

When you are ready to get your Shar Pei you will want to ask a lot of questions of a lot of Shar Pei breeders to make sure that you are getting the right breeder for you. You are not just looking for someone to buy your dog from you are looking for the person that will be involved in your dog's life along with you for many years to come so you need to find someone you can trust and someone you can talk to. One way to be sure of the Shar Pei breeders you choose is to ask them the right questions. Here are some good questions to get started with.

Always ask what national breeder registry they are listed with so you know what breeding standards they adhere to. Any reputable breeder will be listed with a registry and you can confirm their listing yourself on the Internet. Be cautious of a breeder that is not listed with a registry and ask them why they are not listed and find out what they use for breeding standards.
A good Shar Pei breeder will be part of your life, and your pet's life, for many years to come after the transaction is completed. It is very important to maintain open communication with your breeder and if you are talking with a breeder that indicates that they may not have a policy where they stay in contact with owners after the sale then you may want to forget about doing business with that particular breeder and move on to the next candidate.

If you are talking with a reputable breeder then they will tell you that not only do you get the dog when you are ready to take your pup home but you also get complete and detailed care and feeding instructions that every owner needs and a sample of your dog's food as well. If the breeder you are talking to has no intention of offering care instructions or a food sample then you probably do not want to deal with that breeder.
You want to know that yourShar Pei breeder is prepared to be there for the good times and the bad and that is why one question you should ask is if they have a policy of taking back dogs they have sold. You won't get a refund but if you find yourself in a situation where you cannot care for your dog anymore at least you know that your breeder cares enough to not want to see the dog abandoned or wind up in a shelter. Gestures like that is a wonderful thing for a breeder to offer.

Always ask a lot of questions of your prospective Shar Pei breeders. Sometimes a breeder will offer pet insurance for free so be sure to ask about that too. You can never ask a breeder too many questions and the more reputable breeders will insist that you ask a lot of questions so that you are totally comfortable with them before you buy your dog.

If you want good questions to ask yourShar Pei breeder then use this article. If you need a resource forShar Pei information about breeding, then use this article and others like it.

How To Look For Shar Pei Breeders

MelissaColeman — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:33:34 CDT

Probably the most difficult part of getting that Shar Pei you want is finding Shar Pei breeders to talk to in the first place. Aside from opening the phone book you have no idea how to gather information to find yourself some good breeders to talk to. Luckily there are some very easy and accessible ways you can use to find a list of good breeders and after you have compiled your list then the search for the perfect breeder can begin.

If you are already a pet owner then you also have a vet and your vet can be a great source of information on finding a good breeder. If you do not have a vet yet then the best time to start talking to one is when you are in the process of finding a breeder. Your vet will give you valuable information that you can trust and that will point you in the direction of a breeder that you can feel comfortable doing business with.
If you have access to the Internet then you have an entire world of information at your fingertips and you can use that to find contact information for the various Shar Pei breeders in your area and if you are very lucky you may also find a lot more. Sometimes Shar Pei breeders will host their own websites and a search of the Internet will help you uncover these sites and from them you can learn a lot about the breeders' standards and how they run their business. The Internet can be a wealth of information.

You can also go through the listings of the various national breeder registries on the Internet to compile a list of reputable Shar Pei breeders as well. Registries set the standards that breeders follow so you can find the breeders that adhere to certain standards by browsing the list of registries on the Internet.
It is not uncommon to find that the only way to get a hold of the real qualityShar Pei breeders is through referrals of previous owners and other business associates. Talk to the Shar Pei owners you know and see what breeder they used. If your circle of friends does not include any Shar Pei owners then find some on the Internet. It would not take a lot of searching to come up with a handful of owners you can talk to so that you can try and get some good breeder referrals.

It is important that you use every resource at your disposal to compile a list of good Shar Pei breeders to talk to before you settle on the one you will be buying from. Choosing the right breeder is extremely important and you want to be sure that you are talking to all of the right breeders in your area before you actually make that very important decision.

If you are looking forShar Pei breeders then use this article. You can use this article for helpfulShar Pei information.

Chinese Shar Pei: Wrinkled Looks

MelissaColeman — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:24:10 CDT

From the brink of possible obscurity the Chinese Shar Pei has made a wonderful comeback and today is a most popular and much sought after breed that because of its wrinkled appearance and hippo-like looks makes it a truly one of a kind breed. The Shar Pei is of course a breed that goes back a long time and in fact is also an inhabitant of the ancient land of China that is closely related to the Chow Chow as well as the Tibetan Mastiff.

Chinese Shar Pei’s are very compact animals that have muscular bodies and a square appearance that along with a blocky head makes it a very unique looking breed, partly because its face is very much like that of a hippopotamus. The Shar Pei can weigh about fifty-five pounds at most and it moves with strength and balance and there is a good rear-end drive to it as well. The name is symbolic of the Chinese words for coarseness of coat that are of three main types including the bear coat, horse coat and also brush coat.
Everyone likes the Chinese Shar Pei and it is also famous for being very calm and it appears confident as well. In addition, it has a dignified demeanor though at the same time it tends to remain aloof from others and does not easily befriend strangers, and is often quite arrogant as well. Shar Peis can often turn into clowns when in the company of other Shar Peis and without a doubt has a temperament that is very unique. While at the same time is also not a very easy animal to train, though it does need to be socialized and be made to understand that the master is the boss.

The Shar Pei does like human contact and is well disposed to being around people, though to ensure that it does not have any serious faults, before purchasing or obtaining the Chinese Shar Pei, it would be a good idea to only obtain it from reputable breeders who have ensured proper breeding practices and given it opportunity to interact with other humans. Once the Shar Pei understands its place in your home, it will make an excellent and also dependable fellow family member and a good children’s playmate as well.
The Chinese Shar Pei can easily be recognized from the wrinkles on its face and because many people find its hippopotamus-like looks very appealing, is a much sought after breed in spite of the fact that it was once on the list of rare breeds and despite the best efforts of the Chinese Communists to drive it to extinction. However, because some good breeders did not give up on this breed, it is now a very popular breed that has survived those hard times and is being carefully bred even in America.

However, the Shar Pei can give its owners a few headaches because of its tendency to suffer from health problems that will require giving it timely protective care. Thus, as a prospective owner, you need to be aware of such issues and be prepared to deal with them. However, the Chinese Shar Pei is well loved and is also a very possessive animal that can prove to be a great family pet dog. In addition, you need to ensure that you have obtained your Shar Pei from reputable breeders if you don’t want to end up with a pet that has many faults.

According toShar Pei information, the Chinese Shar Pei was once bred to be a guard dog and thus is known to be very territorial, and also protective, thus making them ideal house dogs. This article hasShar Pei information that will prove useful if you want to know more about the Chinese Shar Pei.

The Shar Pei : Yes – That's A Real Dog

MelissaColeman — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:29:33 CDT

When someone sees a Shar Pei for the first time, they commonly react, "My goodness – what is wrong with that dog?" Shar Peis have a distinctive look that you either love or hate. The puppies are deeply wrinkled all over their bodies, but lose most of the body wrinkles as they age. They keep almost all of the deep folds and wrinkles around the face. Their eyes are almost invisible, their ears are incredibly tiny and they usually drool most of the time. The breed standard prefers a head that looks too large for the body.

These grow into massive dogs with solid muscle, making them look like a canine wrinkly-faced equivalent of Mike Tyson. They need plenty of exercise, especially if they are to live in an apartment. Their skin is usually so loose it looks as if you can fit another dog in it. If you come across a purebred Shar Pei with tight skin, it is still a purebred Shar Pei – just not one that can't be shown.
The breed standard for Shar Peis (also called Chinese Shar Peis) described the ideal Shar Pei as standoffish. They should act superior, as if they know they are worth a lot more money than you are. This is not a breed that eagerly greets strangers or easily wags his tail. However, they can be affectionate and playful with their people, usually preferring one family member above the rest. Puppies need to be introduced to other dogs and other people very early in life in order for them not to be aggressive.

The Shar Pei is thought to be descended from the Chow Chow, and, like the Chow Cow, has a blue-black colored tongue (the only breeds of dog to have this quirk). They are incredibly wrinkly when born (as puppies are kind of wrinkly anyway) and they tend to loose most of their body wrinkles as they mature. They usually retain a lot of wrinkles around the head. Their skin is usually loose.
There is some strangeShar Pei information floating around, especially on the web, so you have to select your dog or puppy very carefully. Shar Peis need a lot of exercise – at least a vigorous half hour walk a day – but need little grooming. There are three kinds of coat lengths, only two of which are recognized by the American Kennel Club. These coats consist of the short "horse coat", the longer "brush coat" and the very rare "bear coat", which has hair longer than one inch.

Only solid colored coats are permissible by the American Kennel Club, which means there are a lot of parti-colored and flower colored pureblood Shar Peis in North America looking for homes. They are solid and square dogs that are built a lot like Chow Chows. Their heads are usually large, but some average sized heads are permissible. Their chest is broad like a Rottweiler's with the forelegs spread widely apart. Their tails curl over the back.

TheShar Pei usually gets along with kids and other pets except other dogs. This author hopes to one day publish a book about rescue dogs, including the most up to dateShar Pei information.

Shar Pei: Great Watch Dogs

MelissaColeman — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:09:52 CDT

Originally from China, the Shar Pei can easily be distinguished because of its wrinkles and a tongue that is blue-black. This particular breed has a very rough and coarse coat and that is how it got its name, which in the Chinese language means sand skin. When you first get your Shar Pei puppy, you will notice that it has a lot of wrinkles, though once your puppy begins to grow older and matures, many of these wrinkles will have faded away, and its coat will have become smoother. This breed only got to be recognized by the American Kennel Club in the year 1991, before which it even figured on the list of rare breeds.

The Shar Pei can have more than one color and among the ones that are common to this breed you will find colors such as red like a rose, blue, sand, black and even cream, and it also shares the blue-black colored tongue with its relative the Chow Chow. It also stands out because of its loose skin and a head that is very wrinkled, though not all varieties of the Shar Pei have wrinkled appearances because some even have tight skins and few wrinkles.
The Shar Pei is well known to have either one of three types of coats that are called brush, bear and horse. Though as strong as this breed is, it is still prone to suffer from health related problems, and this may be due it not having been bred in a responsible manner, because one of the more common ailments it has been known to suffer is the one known as entropion, which irritates the eyes because of eyelashes that curl inwards.

Still, you can expect that your Shar Pei will be a very independent dog that is aloof by nature and quite reserved in the presence of strangers whom he will not easily take to. A major reason why it is so reserved and aloof is because was originally bred to be a watchdog, which characteristics seemed to have survived since ancient times. Still, you will find it to be very devoted to its master and otherwise is affectionate and loyal to other family members as well.
In any case, despite its aggressive nature, and watchdog attributes, theShar Pei will still be willing to learn and is thus amenable to being trained, though when things are repeated too often, it will easily get bored. All in all, you can expect great loyalty from your Shar Pei and it is also a very loving animal that will protect you, even though it is very independent by nature.

The breed originates from China’s Guangdong province and was well known from that time for being a fighting dog that also made an excellent watchdog. That is why originally, the Chinese Shar Pei served as a watchdog for the royal family of China, and thus is well suited for defending. And despite being in danger of extinction and being termed a rare breed, it is now thriving in some parts of the world and makes an outstanding family pet, and is often affectionately known as “Golden Lion”.

It can easily be gathered from availableShar Pei information that the Shar Pei is a very clean animal that may, in fact, even be able to housebreak themselves. Though they have a hatred for water, which they avoid at all costs. You can easily go through this article and obtain all the necessaryShar Pei information regarding what to expect from this breed.

Shar Pei Personalities

MelissaColeman — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:09:56 CDT

The Shar Pei dog, native to China, is uniquely identified for its deep wrinkles and blue-black tongue. At a young age the wrinkles are more numerous than at adult age. Time Magazine and the Guinness Book of World Records once identified this dog as one of the most rare dogs in the world. Typically, the Shar Pei dog is a healthy one, but it is susceptible towards a few health hazards like painful eye conditions, allergy-prone skin disorders, fever, and kidney or liver disorders.

In China, it was bred as a fighter dog in earlier times. They are marked by their pleasant and loving personalities with true affection and a genuine loyalty towards their owners. The Shar Pei dog is somewhat sensitive towards strangers and in most of the time the dog needs time to get accustomed to outsiders. Even if you have a great social personality, a great deal of effort is always needed to make one your friend. With a strong defensive personality, however, Shar Pei can be the best guard for your family, safe from any adverse events.
The personality of the Shar Pei dog is a great area of concern, especially for breeders. Breeders must take enough care about researching the personality of a Shar Pei breeding pair otherwise it may lead to extreme frustration. At the time of breeding, it is the duty of the breeder to thoroughly investigate and appraise for dogs similar in personality. If it is not done, the buyers may end up by having a puppy that is wrong for the family. In fact, individuals having an easygoing temperament may not be proven to be a good owner of a Shar Pei in most of cases.

The personality of the Shar Pei can be subdivided under three categories known as dominant, submissive and independent. While the occurrence of a distinctive personality trait is most common, overlapping of personality traits may seem to be apparent in only a few cases. The dominant Shar Pei can be a good choice for people with a tough personality and devoted learning skills for handling dogs. Although a dominant Shar Pei is quite appealing with their macho and confident personality, it could harm people just by being excessively dominant.
It is comparatively easy to train the submissiveShar Pei dog. But they are not ideal for training due to their low self-confidence and easily giving up mentality before trying out new things. This dog can better accommodate itself to a multi-dog environment. However, the submissive Shar Pei dog may act violently out of fear if it perceives any potential threat to its existence. The third type, the independent Shar Pei, is probably most difficult to handle. Although each variety shows independent behavior to some degree, this particular type does not seem to crave its owner's approval or have any interest in forming human companionship.

Shar Pei dog training is tough, so it needs dedication and determination. Although they are mostly identified by their robust deterministic personality, devoted attitude and intelligence, they may break out with intense aggression defensive behavior in the presence of unknown individuals. As we know personality is greatly influence by genetic makeup, the same is true with the Shar Pei dog. They are genetically predisposed towards aggressive behavior, so before buying you need to think thoroughly about the best suitable personality dog for you and your family.

Although theShar Pei is a dog known for its loyal and stubborn personality and praised for its protective behavior, it is not the right dog for all. Whether you are planning to buy a Shar Pei dog or already have one, this article will provide all necessaryShar Pei information in it.

Shar Pei News

MelissaColeman — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:44:46 CDT

The History Of The Chinese Shar Pei

MelissaColeman — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:11:12 CST

Because of China's zoophobia, the Western World would never have heard about Shar Peis if not for the diligent efforts of Hong Kong businessman Matgo Law. Shar Peis became victims of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Along with many other Chinese traditions and art forms, Shar Peis were outlawed and mostly destroyed. Matgo Law managed to rescue some and get them spirited away to Western countries. He started exporting Shar Peis in 1973. By the 1980's, there was a craze for Shar Peis, which led to much indiscriminate breeding.

Many reliable Shar Pei information sources have come to the conclusion that the dogs sent to America were particularly inferior. These dogs are thought to have inherited several health problems (such as skin disorders and inverted eyelids) and had some nasty tempers to boot. But they are the only gene pool of Shar Peis available. They will always be a rare breed and need experienced, confident, physically strong owners.
It is thought that Shar Peis were bred to be strong all purpose farm dogs. They were to have a fierce appearance, could work all day and guard both master and property from man or beast. It is unknown when the emphasis on wrinkles developed. This was most likely when Shar Peis became star performers in another field – the dog-fighting pit. Wrinkles and loose skin meant another dog couldn't get a good grip and, even if they did, the loose skin could help protect vital organs. Even today, Shar Peis are not great around other dogs.

Sadly, the dog-fighting pit is responsible for the development of many breeds especially bulldog types being developed in England about the same time Shar Peis were being honed to their current look in China. Unlike Shar Peis, the bully breeds in England (including the Old English Bulldog and the much-maligned Staffordshire Bull Terrier) were selected to be aggressive with other dogs but be eager to please any person.
North American and European breeders of theShar Pei breed are now learning from their mistakes, as has the American buying public. Shar Peis were dropped like hot potatoes in the 1990's, which lead to the rise of many Shar Pei rescues in many states. Because of their temper and their large size, they are not found in puppy mills as they once were. Shar Peis are now bred for an improved disposition, as well as for their looks.

The future for the Shar Pei looks grim to those who love to see things unchanged. There's just not enough of a gene pool in order to assure the future of this unique dog breed. Considering some of the problems many have discovered with keeping Shar Peis, perhaps that's for the best. Shar Peis are prone to many health problems. The most worrisome (and painful) is inverted eyelids, where the eyelashes constantly rub against the eyeballs. This can be cured with an expensive operation.

TheShar Pei has an interesting history that is not completely known. There is lots of incorrectShar Pei information out there.