Shar Pei History

The Chinese Shar Pei is a newcomer to the Western canine community and was only recently preserved from extinction.

Following is a chronological summary of the development of the Shar Pei to where it is today.

c. 202-220 AD (Han Dynasty) Evidence of the progenitors of the Shar-Pei was found in China. Known as Service Dog, Fighting Dog, or Tomb Dog.

1368-1644 (Ming Dynasty) Steep decline in all dog ownership in China due to famine and discontent.

1940s Communist takeover in China. Mao Tse-Tung decrees luxury tax on all pets and declares pets a symbol of a useless privileged class.

1950s Only a few clusters of Shar-Peis are known to exist in Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

1960 Only a few specimens exist in the world.

1966 The first shar-pei went to the United States.Late 1960s Guinness Book of World Records lists the Shar-Pei as the "rarest breed of dog in the world".

May 1971 Article in "Dogs" magazine lays foundation for movement to preserve the breed.

1973 Matgo Law pleads the plight of the Shar-pei to American public and asks for sponsorship.

December 1973 Chinese Shar-Pei shown in the United States for the first time.

1978 Guinness Book of World Records lists the Shar-Pei still as the "rarest breed of dog in the world".

1979 The first Shar Pei arrive in Australia from USA, however they were not registered with the A.N.K.C

1981 The first registered Chinese Shar Pei arrived in Australia for Winmead Kennels.

1982 In October the Kennel Club of England recognised the the Chinese Shar Pei

1985 First Australian registered litter of Shar Pei born in September at Winmead Kennels, Sydney, Australia.