{"data":{"slug":"shar-pei","name":"Shar Pei","url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/shar-pei","api_url":"https://techtools.cz/dog-atlas-api/v1/breeds/shar-pei","also_known_as":["Chinese Shar-Pei","Sand Skin"],"kind":"breed","extinct":false,"group":{"key":"molosser","label":"Mastiff \u0026 Mountain","fci_group":2,"fci_group_name":"Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs"},"size":"Medium","origin":"China","countries":["People's Republic of China"],"height_cm":{"min":44.0,"max":51.0},"weight_kg":{"min":16.0,"max":20.0},"life_expectancy_years":{"min":9,"max":11},"temperament":["Loyal","Independent","Calm","Reserved","Dignified"],"exercise_level":"Medium","wikipedia_views_60d":29845,"summary":"A medium-sized Chinese guard dog famous for its deep wrinkles, blue-black tongue and prickly short coat. Once nearly extinct, the Shar Pei is a loyal but reserved companion.","photo":{"url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/shar-pei-81734f8f5f-1280.webp","small_url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/shar-pei-81734f8f5f-640.webp","width":300,"height":225,"author":"Yan Mis/\u0026Den Rakov","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0","source_url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adult_sharpei.jpg"},"updated_at":"2026-10-15T13:58:16Z","ratings":{"energy":2,"exercise":3,"grooming":2,"shedding":3,"trainability":2,"barking":2,"kids":3,"other_dogs":2},"coat":"Short, harsh, bristly coat","colors":["Black","Red","Fawn","Cream","Any solid colour except white"],"fun_fact":"Like the Chow Chow, the Shar Pei has a blue-black tongue, and in 1978 it was listed as the world's rarest breed.","sections":{"overview":"The Shar Pei comes from southern China, where it was kept as a property guardian. Its name means sand skin, referring to its harsh, short coat.\n\nIt is a dignified, independent and quiet dog, devoted to its family and wary of strangers. Wrinkles make it distinctive but also bring care needs.","history":"The breed's exact origin is unknown, but it resembles guard dogs shown in Han dynasty effigies and is considered an ancient type related to the Chow Chow. Political turmoil in the twentieth century left it close to extinction.\n\nIn 1973 a Hong Kong breeder appealed for help, and by 1978 it was named the world's rarest breed. American breeders built up the population, and the AKC recognised it in 1992. Some Hong Kong breeders keep the traditional bone-mouth type.","appearance":"The Shar Pei stands about 44 to 51 cm and weighs roughly 16 to 20 kg. It has deeply wrinkled skin, a large head with a padded muzzle, small triangular ears and deep-set eyes. The tongue is blue-black and the tail curls over the back.","personality":"Shar Peis are calm, proud and independent. They are loyal to their family but aloof with strangers and can be dominant with other dogs.\n\nThey need early socialisation and patient, consistent training. They are usually clean and quiet.","care":"Exercise needs are moderate, with daily walks and play. The short coat is easy to brush, but wrinkles and ears should be kept clean and dry to avoid infection.\n\nThey do best with an owner who understands independent breeds.","health":"The breed is prone to skin problems, entropion, ear infections, glaucoma, hypothyroidism, elbow dysplasia and familial Shar Pei fever, which can lead to amyloidosis. Choose breeders who screen for these conditions."},"recognition":{"fci_number":309,"fci_standard_url":"https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/309.html","akc_url":"https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chinese-shar-pei/"},"sources":{"wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shar_Pei","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38972","wikipedia_revision":1373458484},"profile":{"written_by":"AI model (Claude Sonnet) from the sources above","written_at":"2026-10-15T13:37:29Z"}}}