Shar-pei

History, origin & features

Shar-Peis are native to the southern coast of China, and are thought to be several millennia old. Once used as guard, hunting and fighting dogs, Shar-Peis are now prized as pets. Under the Communist Empire, a tax was introduced on dog ownership, making them a luxury. In 1947, this tax was increased and breeding banned. As a result, the Shar-Pei became infamous as the rarest dog in the world, according to Guinness World Records. Endowed with an admirable character, the Shar-Pei is terribly affectionate, cuddly and loyal to family members. They are stable-tempered yet independent dogs that will adapt to any environment. However, they need to be trained from an early age to ensure that they socialize well with other dogs. The Shar-Pei is distinguished by its folds all over its body. With small ears and a short muzzle, it has a short, hard coat, mainly sandy in color.