SHAR-PEI HISTORY .....
The Chinese Shar-Pei are an ancient and unique breed, it is thought that they originated in the area around a small village called Tai Li, situated in the Kwangtung Province, and have existed for centuries in the southern regions of China, apparently since the Han Dynasty (c.200 B.C ). Statues resembling Shar-Pei have been discovered and dated to this period. More recently, a Chinese manuscript, from the 13th century, has been translated, it refers to a " Wrinkly Dog " , with characteristics , much like that of the Shar-Pei.
The name "Shar-Pei" , literally means, "Sand Skin" , but translated more loosely as "Rough Sandy Coat ", or as "Sand Paper" like coat, and refers to the two distinctive qualities of their coat i.e. Roughness and Shortness, which makes them unique in the dog world. The Shar-Pei share another distinctive charactertistic, with only one other breed, the Chow Chow, in having a blue-blackish tongue, which could indicate a common ancestor linking both breeds, however proof of such relationship is difficult.
The history of the Shar-Pei , in modern times is somewhat incomplete, however , it is known that following the establishment of the People's Republic of China , as a Communist Nation, the dog population of China was nearly eliminated. No dogs were seen in Cities, and very few in the Country Side. During this period, a few Chinese Shar-Pei were bred in Hong Kong, BC, and in the Republic of China (Taiwan). The breed was recognised by the Hong Kong Kennel Club until 1968. Subsequently, the Hong Kong and Kowloon Kennel Associations established a dog register, and registered the Shar-Pei. This organisation still registers dogs today, as do other registeries in Taiwan, Japan, Korea, as well as in Europe, Canada and Great Britain.
In the U.S.A, the documented history of the breed goes back to 1966, when a few dogs were imported from stock registered with the Hong Kong Kennel Association. The Americian Dog Breeders Association registered a Chinese Shar-Pei for J.C. Smith on the 8th of October 1970. Strong interest in the breed increased in 1973 when Matgo Law of "Down-Homes Kennels", Hong Kong, appealed to dog fanciers in the U.S.A to "Save the Shar-Pei". Their response was enthusiastic, and because of their rarity a limited number of Shar-Pei arrived in the U.S.A, in the Fall of 1973.
The recipients of these dogs corresponded with each other, and decided to form a National Dog Club and Registry. The Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America Inc (CSPCA), held its first meeting in 1974, and the Club has been in existence since that time. The first Annual National Speciality Show was held in 1978, and successful shows have been held since then. The Club's primary purpose was to promote the breed, maintain the Stud Book Registry, and to provide a Standard for the breed.
On the 4th of May 1988, the Chinese Shar-Pei were accepted into the Americian Kennel Club (AKC), in the Miscellaneous Class. The CSPCA continued to represent the breed and operated the registry, until the AKC accepted the breed into the Non Sporting Class on the 1st of August 1992. The CSPCA continues to promote the best interests of the breed, maintains the Standards, and serves as a Member Club of the AKC.
