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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
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