Shar Pei

Shar Pei

　　The Shar Pei

　　The Shar Pei is a world-renowned dog breed and an outstanding contender in dog fighting. It originates from Dali Town in Nanhai. In the Pearl River Delta region, particularly around Shunchengzhou, there has historically been a tradition of dog fighting. People would set up dog-fighting arenas in town centers, gathering to watch battles and competitions, creating an intense and lively atmosphere. The Shar Pei is a globally famous fighting dog breed that was selectively bred in Dali over years of such activities. It typically stands between 46 to 56 centimeters tall and weighs around 22 to 27 kilograms, with a square-shaped body. The Shar Pei has an unusual and distinctive appearance: its head resembles that of a hippopotamus, its mouth is like a tile cylinder, it has triangular eyes, blueish-black tongue fur, a lion-like nose, and a carrying-pole tail. As puppies, their skin is covered with deep wrinkles—hence the name "Shar Pei" (literally "sand skin"). The Shar Pei is generally conservative in temperament but highly intelligent, often wary of strangers and only approaching them once it deems them safe after careful observation.

　　A folk rhyme still passed down among the people of Dali describes the Shar Pei: “Gourd-shaped head, clam-shell ears, curved blades, carrying pole, money tail, coarse short fur, pure color, blue tongue as top quality, graceful shoulders, short waist, well-proportioned limbs without deformities.” Due to various factors, the Shar Pei is now on the verge of extinction. Only about

　　300–400 remain in Dali Town today, with a small number exported annually. In the United States, the Shar Pei enjoys a high reputation. A high-quality Shar Pei can be priced at 9,000 or even over 10,000 Hong Kong dollars in Hong Kong.