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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