Shar Peis were at one point listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the rarest dog in the world, forcing loyal readers of the annual edition to take pity in the Shar Pei situation, and encouraged them to breed the dogs that were left and make it so they were no longer extinct after several years. Fortunately, they were saved and are available for making great pets and precious additions to a family.
Despite the fact that they have evolved and changed slightly as do most animals, they are still very similar to the original Shar Peis that were discovered in China, and their behaviors are comparable to those of the predecessors. Recent DNA discoveries have afforded scientists the opportunity to label Shar Peis as one of the most ancient breeds of dog.
The Beginnings of a Shar Pei
The Shar Pei was originally from Guangzhou province of China, and had the reputation of being a fighting and guard dog for the royal family of Chinese dynasties. While their loyal and devoted characteristics make them a wonderful guard dog and family pet, they are not naturally built for fighting. It is said that because Shar Peis have such a natural laid back and calm demeanor, their breeders and owners were forced to administer drugs to them in order to get them to fight.
This suggested that they were designed to be family and companion dogs rather than fighting dogs, and from that point were most likely bred to maintain their gentle nature. Because the act of fighting dogs is presently illegal, the Shar Pei is no longer used for any sort of fighting, and they reside in many homes as a loyal addition to numerous families.
Physical History of the Shar Pei
While they are used as family pets now, many of their physical characteristics support their original fighting purposes. One of these characteristics is their extremely wrinkly and prickly skin and fur; it is difficult for their opponents to grab and hold on to, giving them a defensive advantage. The face that so many people find so adorable to look at, was once considered a deterrent from the other dogs, as it appeared as a scowl and frightened their competitors.
Making a Shar Pei Your Family Pet
The Shar Peis were once considered such a rare breed that their value exceeded a reasonable price range, and it was only the royal families that could afford them. Over time as their population increased and they were no longer in danger of becoming extinct, their prices dropped, and they became comparable to the price of that of any other purebred. The Shar Pei temperament and their affordable prices make this dog a very common and great family pet. Getting a Shar Pei guarantees a lifetime of loyalty, love and protection.
Source, wikipedia.
Source, wikipedia.
