Chinese Shar-Pei Breed Standard
Non-Sporting Group
General Appearance
An alert, 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 height is 18 to 20 inches at the withers. The weight is 45 to 60
pounds. The dog is usually larger and more square bodied than the bitch
but both appear well proportioned. 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 and Skull
The head is 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 high, wide apart and
forward on the skull, pointing toward the eyes. The ears have the
ability to move. A pricked ear is 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 snipiness. (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 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 the
nose or on the entire nose. The lips and top of muzzle are well-padded
and may cause a slight bulge above 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 pink 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.
A level, roach or swayed topline/backline shall be faulted.
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 up-tilted anus.
Tail--the high set tail is a characteristic feature of the Shar-Pei.
A low set tail shall be faulted.
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 off standing 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 one inch 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 and sable are acceptable and are to be judged on an
equal basis. 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 and may include darker hairs throughout the coat.
The following colors are disqualifications: Albino; Not a solid color,
i.e.: Brindle; Parti-colored; Spotted; Patterned in any combination of
colors.
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 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.
Disqualifications
Pricked ears.
Solid pink tongue.
Absence of a complete tail.
Albino; not a solid color, i.e.: Brindle; Parti-colored; Spotted;
Patterned in any combination of colors
Approved January 12, 1998
Effective February 28, 1998
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