Five Neat Facts About a Sharpei

                                                                                         

Experts of rare canines agree that the Chinese sharpei is worth befriending. The pups seem to be wrapped in bristly rugs, while the adults' muzzles make them look like the miniature hippos of the canine world. And what a colorful history too! The breed was nearly wiped out by some anti-dog raising mandates of the Chinese Communist regime, were it not for the timely efforts of some Hong Kong-based breeders and some Americans smitten by the breed's intriguing appearance. So here are five unique things to know about this courageous and very ancient breed:

1. There is no mystery as to why a sharpei seem to shy away when a person tries to touch their head, or when they are abruptly approached. The breed's hooded eyes make it harder for the dog to see compared to most dog breeds. The net effect is that they cannot see things that come from either side until that thing or person is right before them. It can also be observed that a dog approached from the front doesn't behave that way.

If the dog is still new to you or your home, this could be the opportunity to help him socialize! Allow the dog to sniff your hand when you greet him, and let him sniff at you. Meanwhile, children need to be supervised every time they interact with a dog.

2. The breed's general wariness of strangers really do make them good watch dogs. However, their brand of independence and owner-orientation has its pro's and con's. The upside is that they have enough capability to work at a distance from their master, but a problem is that the defensive spirit can translate into hardheadedness. The practical solution is praise plus food reinforcement every time the dog behaves well.

3. As peculiar to molossers (or the breed of dogs that have “smashed” faces, e.g. bulldogs), the Shar Pei combines snoring and snorting from time to time.

4. Some allergy sufferers may appreciate knowing that the breed sheds its dense coat only during summer.

5. The tongue of this dog is indeed black-bluish enough to warrant being called "black". Since the dog shares this feature with its compatriot, the brightly-colored Chow Chow, there is reason for us to believe in a common root for both.

If a sharpei is being entered into a competition, a spotted tongue (although awesome-looking) is considered a fault. A lavender tongue, on the other hand,still has a chance; a totally pink tongue doesn't have.

Good luck in your search for your sharpei!

About the author:
Richard Cussons is fascinated with the sharpei dog breed. Learn how to train these snobbish dogs with these great Shar Pei training tips brought to you by sharpeisavvy.com.

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