Shar Pei's have a personality that is all their own just the same as they have health problems all their own. A Shar Pei faces several health problems due to the wrinkles in their skin such as ear infections, skin problems and eye problems. The best way to avoid health problems with your Shar Pei is to keep your regular appointments with a veterinarian.

From the brink of possible obscurity the Chinese Shar Pei has made a wonderful comeback and today is a most popular and much sought after breed that because of its wrinkled appearance and hippo-like looks makes it a truly one of a kind breed. The Shar Pei is of course a breed that goes back a long time and in fact is also an inhabitant of the ancient land of China that is closely related to the Chow Chow as well as the Tibetan Mastiff.

The Shar Pei breed started in China around 200 B.C. It is easily recognizable by its wrinkled face and short ears. They started as a farm dog and then began to be used as a fighting dog. Although bright and willful, Shar Pei puppies do require consistent training. However, they are extremely loyal to their family while being aloof with strangers.

The Mini Shar Pei is seventeen inches in height and cannot exceed that height in order to be considered a Mini Shar Pei. They will have either the horse or brush coat that cannot be longer then one inch on the back. They have tiny triangular ears and look like miniature hippopotamuses.

Pottery remains from the Han Dynasty of China (about 206 BC) show a wrinkly big dog. Could this be a representation of one of the earliest Shar Peis? It is unknown for certain exactly when the Shar Pei popped into its wrinkled existence, but it is known that they are distinctly Chinese.

Originally from China, the Shar Pei can easily be distinguished because of its wrinkles and a tongue that is blue-black. This particular breed has a very rough and coarse coat and that is how it got its name, which in the Chinese language means sand skin. When you first get your Shar Pei puppy, you will notice that it has a lot of wrinkles, though once your puppy begins to grow older and matures, many of these wrinkles will have faded away, and its coat will have become smoother.