What is that doggie in the window?

 

I don’t consider myself a dog person or a cat person- I love both and have one of each. My dog is a Shar-Pei and there is no doubt when anyone sees her what breed she represents. In fact, my last three dogs have been Chinese Shar-Pei. Sadly, my favorite type of dog is becoming rare again.

horsecoat Shar-Pei

brushcoat Shar-Pei

bearcoat Shar-Pei

Those of us around in the 1970’s might remember a storm of articles and media attention when Matgo law (of China) wrote an article appealing to America to help save the breed. A group of people listened and imported dogs from China. Admittedly, some of the first imports may not have been the best representation of Shar-Pei but they were the first. A club was formed, The Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America (CSPCA) to begin a stud book and save this charming breed. High-fashion stores advertised the wrinkly dogs at prices only the rich could afford while the Guinness Book of Records declared the Shar-Pei the rarest breed of dog in the world.

HISTORY – Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America, Inc. (cspca.com)

Eventually, the CSPCA applied for membership in the American Kennel Club (AKC). After time in the Miscellaneous Class, the Shar-Pei moved into the Non-Sporting Group. Before the AKC application, Chinese Shar-Pei registrations and shows were the realm of the Club. A magazine was part of Club membership, and it was a decent size back then. Nowadays, the Club journal, (yes, I am a member) The Barker, has gone from every other month to a quarterly. The listings of breeders on the thin side of small. If you are trying to find a puppy from a legitimate (not a puppy mill) breeder, it takes some time. The breed is just as hard to see at dog shows. 

So, what is the point (other than the history lesson)? 

First, be careful when buying a purebred puppy. Educate yourself with the parent breed club so you know what to look for. An example would be size. There is no such thing as a “mini” Shar-Pei. CSPCA has the breed standard online and you can request brochures. Most other dog associations are the same. Dogs may have varieties (coat type or color like Dachshunds and Cocker Spaniels), size restrictions (poodles come in three sizes, beagles in two). Even my beloved Shar-Pei have three coat varieties (horsecoat, brushcoat, and bearcoat) although only the first two are conformation ring qualified – the bearcoat is considered a major fault.

The so-called designer dogs like the “labadoodle” are nothing more than mutts. They may be the cutest dogs you have ever seen, but there is no purebred labradoodle. Crossing two different types of purebred dogs results in a mutt. Mutts are great, don’t get me wrong. There are tons of amazing dogs up for adoption at shelters that are mixed breeds. They tend to be healthier than purebreds, but in no way are any of them, purebred. 

Be cautious before you spend a lot of money on a dog. Know what you are purchasing, just as you would with a computer, a car, or other big-ticket items. A dog is not something you should get and throw away once the puppy “cuteness” wears off. Understands what each breed was meant for – hounds will chase and bark, working dogs need something to do, and many breed have inherent medical conditions.