|
General
Appearance
An alert, compact dog of medium size and substance; square in
profile, close coupled; the well-proportioned head slightly, but
not overly large for the body. The short, harsh coat, the loose
skin covering the head and body, the small ears, the
"hippopotamus" muzzle shape and the high set tail impart
to the Shar-Pei a unique look peculiar to him alone. The loose
skin and wrinkles covering the head, neck and body are
superabundant in puppies but these features may be limited to the
head, neck and withers in the adult.
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
Approved January 12, 1998
Effective February 28, 1998
|
