Chinese Shar-Pei Breed Standard in
America
GENERAL APPEARANCE - An alert,
dignified, active, compact dog of medium size and substance, square in profile,
close-coupled, the well proportioned head slightly but not overly large for the body. The
short, harsh coat, the loose skin covering the head and body, the small ears, the "hippopotamus"
muzzle shape and the high set tail impart to the Shar-Pei a unique look peculiar to him
alone. The loose skin and wrinkles covering the head, neck and body are superabundant in
puppies but these features may be limited to the head, neck and withers in the adult.
SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE - The
preferred height is 18 to 20 inches at the withers. The preferred weight is 40 to 55
pounds. The dog is usually larger and more square bodied than the bitch but both appear
well proportioned.
Proportion: The height of the Shar-Pei
from the ground to the withers is approximately equal to the length from the point of
breastbone to the point of rump.
HEAD - Large, slightly but not overly,
proudly carried and covered with profuse wrinkles on the forehead continuing into side
wrinkles framing the face.
Eyes dark, small, almond-shaped and
sunken, displaying a scowling expression. In the dilute colored dogs the eye color may be
lighter. Ears extremely small rather thick, equilateral triangles in shape, slightly
rounded at the tips, edges of the ear may curl. Ears lie flat against the head, are set
wide apart and forward on the skull, pointing toward the eyes. The ears have the ability
to move. Pricked ears are a disqualification.
Skull flat and broad, the stop
moderately defined. Muzzle. One of the distinctive features of the breed. It is broad and
full with no suggestion of snippiness. The length from nose to stop is approximately the
same as from stop to occiput.
Nose large and wide and darkly
pigmented, preferably black but any color nose conforming to the general coat color of the
dog is acceptable. In dilute colors, the preferred nose is self-colored. Darkly pigmented
cream Shar-Pei may have some light pigment either in the center of their noses or on their
entire nose. The lips and top of muzzle are well padded and may cause a slight bulge at
the base of the nose.
Tongue, Roof of Mouth, Gums and Flews.
Solid bluish-black is preferred in all coat colors except in dilute colors, which have a
solid lavender pigmentation. A spotted tongue is a major fault. A solid pink tongue is a
disqualification. (Tongue colors may lighten due to heat stress; care must be taken not to
confuse dilute pigmentation with a pink tongue.)
Teeth strong, meeting in a scissors
bite. Deviation from a scissors bite is a major fault.
NECK, TOPLINE, BODY - Neck medium
length, full and set well into the shoulders. There are moderate to heavy folds of loose
skin and abundant dewlap about the neck and throat.
The topline dips slightly behind the
withers, slightly rising over the short, broad loin. Chest broad and deep with the brisket
extending to the elbow and rising slightly under the loin. Back short and close-coupled.
Croup flat, with the base of the tail set extremely high, clearly exposing an uptilted
anus.
The high set tail is a characteristic
feature of the Shar-Pei. The tail is thick and round at the base, tapering to a fine point
and curling over or to either side of the back. The absence of a complete tail is a
disqualification.
FOREQUARTERS - Shoulders: Muscular,
well laid back and sloping.
Forelegs: When viewed from the front,
straight, moderately spaced, with elbows close to the body. When viewed from the side, the
forelegs are straight, the pasterns are strong and flexible. The bone is substantial but
never heavy and is of moderate length. Removal of front dewclaws is optional. Feet.
Moderate in size, compact and firmly set, not splayed.
HINDQUARTERS - Muscular, strong, and
moderately angulated. The metatarsi (hocks) are short, perpendicular to the ground and
parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Hind dewclaws must be removed. Feet as
in front.
COAT - The extremely harsh coat is one
of the distinguishing features of the breed. The coat is absolutely straight and
offstanding on the main trunk of the body but generally lies somewhat flatter on the
limbs. The coat appears healthy without being shiny or lustrous. Acceptable coat lengths
may range from extremely short "horse coat" up to the "brush coat",
not to exceed one inch in length at the withers. A soft coat, a wavy coat, a coat in
excess of 1" in length at the withers or a coat that has been trimmed is a major
fault. the Shar-Pei is shown in its natural state.
COLOR - Only solid colors are
acceptable. A solid color dog may have shading, primarily darker down the back and on the
ears. The shading must be variations of the same body color (except in sables) and may
include darker hairs throughout the coat. The following colors are a disqualifying fault:
Not a solid color, i.e.: Albino;
Brindle; Parti-colored (patches); Spotted (including spots, ticked or roaning);
Tan-Pointed Pattern (including typical black and tan or saddled patterns).
GAIT - The movement of the Shar-Pei is
to be judged at a trot. The gait is free and balanced with the feet tending to converge on
a center line of gravity when the dog moves at a vigorous trot. The gait combines good
forward reach and a strong drive in the hindquarters. Proper movement is essential.
TEMPERAMENT - Regal, alert,
intelligent, dignified, lordly, scowling, sober and snobbish, essentially independent and
somewhat standoffish with strangers, but extreme in his devotion to his family. The
Shar-Pei stands firmly on the ground with a calm, confident stature.
MAJOR FAULTS
Deviation from a scissors bite.
Spotted tongue.
A soft coat, a wavy coat, a coat in
excess of 1" in length at the withers or a coat that has been trimmed.
DISQUALIFICATION
Pricked ears.
Solid Pink Tongue.
Absence of a complete tail.
Not a solid color, i.e.: Albino;
Brindle; Parti-colored (patches); Spotted (including spots, ticked or roaning);
Tan-Pointed Pattern (including typical black and tan or saddled patterns).
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