The Chinese Shar-Pei ,Towel Dog

The Shar-Pei comes from China and is well known for its pronounced wrinkles and unusually dark tongue. The name means “sand skin,” which directly relates to its rugged, short coat. Oddly enough, as the puppies begin to mature, the wrinkles diminish. It used to be that Shar Peis were quite rare, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Shar Peis typically come in black, cream, red, fawn, and many other colors. Moreover, not all the coats are the same; some coats are brush type, while others have a horse or bear coat.
The Shar Pei came form China and was mainly used in order to elevate the lives of peasants by taking on rigorous tasks of herding, pig hunting, and guarding valuables within the home.

This loyal yet somewhat aggressive dog is closely related to the Chow-Chow with regard to the dark tongue. It is quite possible that the Shar Pei shares the same mystical quality as the Chow-Chow. Typically, when an evil spirit is making its presence known, the Chow-Chow’s bark can easily scare offending spirits away.
In China, Shar Peis are known as fighting dogs, whereas in the United States, people refer to them as guard dogs. The Shar Pei shares many similar traits as the pit bull in the fact that the breed was designed for dogfights. Chinese legislation claimed the Shar Pei was a menace to society and has a propensity towards violence. Of course many advocates claim theses dogs’ are not violent in any manner, and they insist that their heritage comes from hunting. Many laws in China supported the banishment of these dogs, and insisted that they become exterminated. However, certain supporters of the Shar Pei saw to it that that enough of them were brought into the United States around the seventies, thus their proliferation today. There are currently over 100,000 Shar Peis throughout Canada and the United States.
Any potential Shar-Pei owner needs to be cautioned of a few things. These dogs tend to be a little suspicious of strangers and can sometimes turn aggressive. In addition, they tend to be very independent and territorial. On the high side, these dogs can be very loyal and loving towards family, yet they have a difficult time dealing with new people. When introducing a new person into the home, it may require patience and the right type of introduction. The best bet may be to introduce as many people to the dog before it becomes too old and becomes hardened in its ways. It is always best not to agitate these dogs, as they do not react well to stress. Furthermore, the Shar Pei is prone to health issues due to forced breeding: allergies, skin issues, and Shar Pei fever are only some of the ailments. So it is wise for any potential Shar Pei owners to be aware of both the positive and negative effects of owning these dogs. With the proper patience, knowledge, and guidance, this dog can be a loving, welcomed addition to the family.
Source: thechinesesharpe.com