Loving Friends for Loving People
111 Burnett Rd. Byron, Georgia 31008
478-808-2835 * 478-956-4188
111 Burnett Rd. Byron, Georgia 31008
478-808-2835 * 478-956-4188
The Chinese Shar-Pei is a breed whose roots are deeply buried in the sands of time. The progenitors of these dogs, it seems without question, are from the Han Dynasty, which places them in the era of around 200 A.D., thus spanning the impressive total of nearly twenty centuries!
So frequently have artifacts of the earliest ancestors bearing a strong unmistakable similarity to the dogs known years later from whom our present-day Shar-pei descend, that there can be little question of authenticity. The majority of these artifacts, in the form of statues, have been found in tombs by archeologists with such consistency that they have frequently been referred to as "tomb dogs."
So frequently have artifacts of the earliest ancestors bearing a strong unmistakable similarity to the dogs known years later from whom our present-day Shar-pei descend, that there can be little question of authenticity. The majority of these artifacts, in the form of statues, have been found in tombs by archeologists with such consistency that they have frequently been referred to as "tomb dogs."
These statues and other artifacts have faithfully depicted the early version of our Shar-pei friends. The hippopotamus look-alike muzzle and other distinguishing characteristics are definitely there and ealily identified.
Quite possibly there is still on display, at the Asian Art Museum in the Avery Brundage Collection, San Farancisco, California, a statue of a "Tomb Dog." At least I know that it was there for awhile and people in that area, or visitors there, should enjoy seeing it as part of the breed's history.
It is believed and accepted that the origin of the Chinese Shar-Pei took place in the territory surrounding a small village in the Kwongtung Province, thus making them native to the South China Sea area. Another source names Tibet or Northern China as the location of their birthplace. Obviously it would be almot impossible to prove with certain authority which is correct following the passage of these many years.
The Shar-Pei of today has inherited numerous of the physical characteristics which distinguished his ancestors. Although a smaller dog (those from ancient times wieghed three times more than today's Shar-pei; about 165lbs. opposed to 40-50 lbs., the modern weight range), the similarities ar still unmistakable. The blunt "hippopotamus muzzle"; small ears; along with the various other mutual characteristics between then and now. The dogs are smaller today, more refined, more handsome; but still they retain the unique combination of characteristics which through time have been their trademark.
Chines peasants were the early owners of the Chinese Shar-pei, who found them useful as distinguished herding dogs, guard dogs, and family companions. For generations these dogs ditinguished themselves by their intelligence, reliability, and alertness-exactly what was needed for protectors of themselves and of their property.
The early Shar-pei ancestors were thought of as service dogs owing to the ease with which they performed their duties. Especially proficiency in herding and talents as hunting dogs ditinguished them to a high degree.
Unfortunately there came a period when the Chinese owners attempted to make fighting of their wonderful workers, not with spectacular success, however. As Chinese Fighting Dogs, an effort was made to develop fighting instincts where the inclination on the part of the dogs, we have heard, was described as "somewhat lacking." Physically they were well equipped, the same features which made them successful hunters also being applicalbe to fighting fighting other dogs. The looseness of skin made it possible for one of them, even with an oppononent's teeth embedded into it, to twist and work his own teeth into the other animal; certainly an almost impenetrable "buffer" from serious injury. The "Fighting Dog" syndrome was brought about by activities in the city of Canton, where, with little in those days offered for amusement, some of the gamblers cast a speculative eye on the dogs, wondering what their potential for providing dog fighting could accomplish. The owners of the dogs, the poverty-stricken farmers, eagerly participated in whatever course of events might bring gold to their usually empty pocket.
Admiralbly as they were equipped for fighting by the deep-set eyes, the tiny ears, which present little area for injury, and the looseness of skin, the Chinese Fighting Dog, it was felt, had other helpful attributes, such as the rough and bristly coat texture providing a most unpleasant mouthful for the opponent; and the formation of the curved canine scimitars, which once clamped on an opponent are extremely difficult to escape.
Despite all these assets, the Shar-pei did not seem to have much taste or heart for fighting, causing the gamblers to lose interest-especially so when the "dicovered" the Western fighting dogs which surpassed the Chinese dogs in proficiency, pleasure in the work at hand, and weight. Actually dogs basically so pleasant and friendly as the Shar-Pei are much more suited to fending off intruders at home on his master's property than matching wits with other dogs in a pit.
These splendid animals then took up life again where they had left off and where they had been missed-on the farm and with the family. The numbers who actually were used for fighting were not many, as numerous of the peasants who depended on their services were not about to let their reliable protectors go off to the pits.
It is of interest that although we have occasionally seen references to Chinese Fighting Dogs, to our knowledge no recognition of them as a breed has been included in any registry of any governing kennel club or leading canine council.
It is believed and accepted that the origin of the Chinese Shar-Pei took place in the territory surrounding a small village in the Kwongtung Province, thus making them native to the South China Sea area. Another source names Tibet or Northern China as the location of their birthplace. Obviously it would be almot impossible to prove with certain authority which is correct following the passage of these many years.
The Shar-Pei of today has inherited numerous of the physical characteristics which distinguished his ancestors. Although a smaller dog (those from ancient times wieghed three times more than today's Shar-pei; about 165lbs. opposed to 40-50 lbs., the modern weight range), the similarities ar still unmistakable. The blunt "hippopotamus muzzle"; small ears; along with the various other mutual characteristics between then and now. The dogs are smaller today, more refined, more handsome; but still they retain the unique combination of characteristics which through time have been their trademark.
Chines peasants were the early owners of the Chinese Shar-pei, who found them useful as distinguished herding dogs, guard dogs, and family companions. For generations these dogs ditinguished themselves by their intelligence, reliability, and alertness-exactly what was needed for protectors of themselves and of their property.
The early Shar-pei ancestors were thought of as service dogs owing to the ease with which they performed their duties. Especially proficiency in herding and talents as hunting dogs ditinguished them to a high degree.
Unfortunately there came a period when the Chinese owners attempted to make fighting of their wonderful workers, not with spectacular success, however. As Chinese Fighting Dogs, an effort was made to develop fighting instincts where the inclination on the part of the dogs, we have heard, was described as "somewhat lacking." Physically they were well equipped, the same features which made them successful hunters also being applicalbe to fighting fighting other dogs. The looseness of skin made it possible for one of them, even with an oppononent's teeth embedded into it, to twist and work his own teeth into the other animal; certainly an almost impenetrable "buffer" from serious injury. The "Fighting Dog" syndrome was brought about by activities in the city of Canton, where, with little in those days offered for amusement, some of the gamblers cast a speculative eye on the dogs, wondering what their potential for providing dog fighting could accomplish. The owners of the dogs, the poverty-stricken farmers, eagerly participated in whatever course of events might bring gold to their usually empty pocket.
Admiralbly as they were equipped for fighting by the deep-set eyes, the tiny ears, which present little area for injury, and the looseness of skin, the Chinese Fighting Dog, it was felt, had other helpful attributes, such as the rough and bristly coat texture providing a most unpleasant mouthful for the opponent; and the formation of the curved canine scimitars, which once clamped on an opponent are extremely difficult to escape.
Despite all these assets, the Shar-pei did not seem to have much taste or heart for fighting, causing the gamblers to lose interest-especially so when the "dicovered" the Western fighting dogs which surpassed the Chinese dogs in proficiency, pleasure in the work at hand, and weight. Actually dogs basically so pleasant and friendly as the Shar-Pei are much more suited to fending off intruders at home on his master's property than matching wits with other dogs in a pit.
These splendid animals then took up life again where they had left off and where they had been missed-on the farm and with the family. The numbers who actually were used for fighting were not many, as numerous of the peasants who depended on their services were not about to let their reliable protectors go off to the pits.
It is of interest that although we have occasionally seen references to Chinese Fighting Dogs, to our knowledge no recognition of them as a breed has been included in any registry of any governing kennel club or leading canine council.
