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Breed Standard - American Version
of the Chinese Shar-Pei
Approved October 8, 1991
A brief background:
This Chinese breed has a history dating back several centuries. Originating in the regions bordering on the South China Sea, it supposedly stems from the city of Dialak in the province of Kwantung.
General appearance:
A medium sized, alert, compact, squarely built, and close coupled dog, with a unique look imparted by loose skin folds on the head and withers, small ears, and a hippopotamus muzzle. Dogs are larger than bitches.
Proportions:
The height of the Shar-Pei at the withers is approximately equal to the length from the point of the breastbone to the point of the rump, particularly for dogs. The length from the nose to the stop is approximately equal to the length from the stop to occiput.
Behavior/temperament:
Regal, independent, loyal, and affectionate with members of the family.
HEAD:
Rather large in proportion to the body, with wrinkles on the forehead and cheeks forming dewlaps.
Head:
Occipital crest:
Skull: flat, broad
Stop: moderate
Facial furrow:
The nose is large with wide open nostrils, preferably black, but any color conforming to general coat color is acceptable.
Muzzle:
One of the distinctive features of the breed is a broad and full muzzle with no suggestion of snippiness. The flews and top of the muzzle are well padded, and may cause a slight bulge at the base and above the nose.
Mouth:
The tongue, roof of mouth, gums, and flews are preferably bluish-black. A pink-tinged tongue is permissible, but a solid pink tongue is highly undesirable. The tongue of a dog with dilute colors tends to have a solid lavender pigmentation.
Jaws/Teeth:
Strong teeth meeting in a perfect and complete scissor bite, with upper incisors closely overlapping the lower incisors and set square to the jaws. The padding of the lower flews should not be excessive as to interfere with the bite.
Eyes:
It has dark, almond shaped, sunken eyes, displaying a scowling expression. A light colored iris is permissible if the coat is dilute. The function of the eyeballs or eyelids should in no way be disturbed by the surrounding skin, wrinkles, or hair. Any sign of irritation of the eyeballs, conjunctiva, or eyelids is highly undesirable, and eyes should be free from entropion.
Ears:
Extremely small, rather thick, equilateral triangles in shape, slightly rounded at the tips and set high on the head, with tips pointing towards eyes, set well forward over the eyes, wide apart and close to the skull. Pricked ears are highly undesirable.
Neck:
Medium in length, strong, and set well into the shoulders; excessive loose skin under the neck is undesirable.
Body:
Excessive loose skin is highly undesirable on the body of adults, but moderate wrinkling at the withers and base of the tail is acceptable.
Topline:
Dips slightly behind the withers, rising slightly over the loins.
Back:
Short and strong.
Loin:
Short, broad, and moderately angulated.
Croup:
Essentially flat.
Chest:
Broad and deep, with the brisket extending to the elbows.
Bottom line:
Rising slightly under the loins.
Tail:
The tail is thick and rounded at the base, tapering to a fine point. The high set tail is a characteristic feature of the breed, and it maybe carried high and curved tightly over the back, or curling over to either side. The absence of a complete tail is highly undesirable.
Limbs:
Forelegs:
Straight, of moderate length, with a substantial bone, and no wrinkles on the forelegs.
Shoulders:
Muscular, well laid back and sloping.
Pasterns:
Slightly sloping, strong and flexible.
Hindquarters:
Muscular, strong, and moderately angulated, with legs perpendicular to the ground that appear parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. It is undesirable to have wrinkles on the thighs, lower legs, shoulders, rear pasterns, or any thickening of the skin on the hocks.
Hocks/Metatarsi:
Well let down.
Feet:
Moderate in size, compact, and firmly set, not splayed, and without dewclaws on hind limbs.
Gait:
The movement is judged at a trot, and the gait is free, balanced, and vigorous. The feet tend to converge on a center line when the dog moves at a vigorous trot, combining good forward reach and a strong drive in the hindquarters. A stilted gait is undesirable.
Coat:
Hair:
A short, harsh, bristly coat is one of the distinguishing features of the breed. The coat is straight and off standing on the main body, but generally lies somewhat flatter on the limbs. Has no undercoat; acceptable coat lengths are 1 to 2.5 cm (0.4 to 1 inch); never trimmed.
Color:
Only solid colors and sable are acceptable. The tail and backs of thighs may have lighter shading, and darker shading down the back and on the ears is acceptable.
Size:
Height:
The standard height is 44 to 51cm at the withers (17.5 to 20 inches).
FAULTS:
Any deviation from the foregoing points is to be considered a fault, whereas the degree of the fault is judged directly in proportion to the deviation.
N.B.:
Dogs should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Major faults:
1. Deviation from a scissor bite (a slight back-bite is temporarily permissible)
2. Spotted tongue (except for a spotted pink tongue)
3. Large ears
4. Low set tail
5. Coat exceeding 2.5 cm or one inch in length
6. Tapered, snipy muzzle
Thanks for your interest and time...
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