THE AKC
STANDARD
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
snippiness. (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 in length 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 a 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