F.C.I.-Standard Nº 309 / 14.04.1999 / GB
SHAR-PEI
Origin:
China
Patronage:
F.C.I.
Date of
publication of the original valid standard:
14.04.1999.
Utilization:
Hunting- and watch-dog.
Classification
F.C.I.:
Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossians and Swiss Mountain- and Cattledogs.
Section 2.1 Molossian, Mastiff type.
Without working trial.
Brief historical
summary:
This Chinese breed has existed for hundreds of years in the provinces bordering
the South China Sea. The town of Dialak in the province of Kwun Tung is probably
the place of origin.
General
appearance:
Active, compact, short coupled and squarely built dog of medium size. Wrinkles
over skull and withers, small ears and (hippopotamus) muzzle impart to the Shar
Pei a unique look. Dogs larger and more powerful than bitches.
Important
proportions:
The height of the Shar Pei from withers to ground is approximately equal to
the length of the body, from point of shoulder to point of buttock, especially
in males. The length from nose to stop is approximately equal to the length
from stop to occiput.
Behaviour
/ Temperament:
Calm, independent, loyal, affectionate to his family.
Head:
Rather large in proportion to body. Wrinkles on forehead and cheeks continuing
to form dewlap.
Cranial
region:
Skull: Flat, broad.
Stop: Moderate.
Facial region:
Nose: Large and wide, preferably black, but any colour conforming to general
coat colour permissible. Wide opened nostrils.
Muzzle: A distinctive feature of the breed. Broad from root to tip of nose with
no suggestion of tapering. Lips and top of muzzle well padded. Bulge at the
base of the nose permissible.
Mouth: Tongue, roof of mouth, gums and flews: bluish black is preferred. Pink
spotted tongue permissible. Solid pink tongue highly undesirable. In dilute-coloured
dogs the tongue is solid lavender.
Jaws/Teeth: Jaws strong with a perfect scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely
overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Padding of lower lip
should not be so excessive as to interfere with the bite.
Eyes: Dark, almond-shaped with a scowling expression. Lighter colour permissible
in dilute-coloured dogs. Function of eyeball or lid in no way disturbed by surrounding
skin, folds or hair. Any sign of irritation of eyeball, conjunctiva or eyelids
highly undesirable. Free from entropion.
Ears: Very small, rather thick, equilaterally triangular in shape, slightly
rounded at tip and set high on the skull with tips pointing towards eyes; set
well forward over eyes, wide apart and close to skull. Pricked ears highly undesirable.
Neck:
Medium length, strong, set well on shoulders. The loose skin under the neck
should not be excessive.
Body:
Folds of skin on body in mature dogs highly undesirable except on withers and
base of tail, which show moderate wrinkling.
Topline: Dips slightly behind withers; then it rises slightly over loin.
Back: Short, strong.
Loin: Short, broad, slightly arched.
Croup: Rather flat.
Chest: Broad and deep, brisket reaching the elbow.
Underline: Rises slightly under the loin.
Tail:
Thick and round at the root, tapering to a fine point. The tail is set very
high, a characteristic feature of the breed. May be carried high and curved,
carried in tight curl or curved over or to either side of the back. Lack of
or incomplete tail highly undesirable.
Limbs:
Forequarters: Forelegs straight, moderate length, good bone. The skin on forelegs
shows no wrinkle.
Shoulders: Muscular, well laid and sloping.
Metacarpus (Pastem): Slightly sloping, strong and flexible.
Hindquarters:
Muscular, strong, moderately angulated, perpendicular to the ground and parallel
to each other when viewed from the rear. Wrinkles on upper thighs, lower thighs,
rear pasterns as well as the thickening of the skin on hocks undesirable.
Hocks: Well let down.
Feet: Moderate size, compact, not splayed. Toes well knuckled. Hindfeet free
from dewclaws.
Gait / Movement:
The preferred gait is trot. The gait is free, balanced, active with good forward
reach and strong drive from the hindquarters. The feet tend to converge to a
center line when the speed increases. Stilted gait undesirable.
Coat:
Hair: A distinctive feature of the breed: short, harsh and bristly. The coat
is straight and offstanding on the body, but generally flatter on the limbs.
No undercoat. The coat may vary in length from 1 cm to 2,5 cm. Never trimmed.
Colour: All solid colours acceptable except white. Tail and rear part of thighs
frequently of a lighter colour. Darker shading down the back and on the ears
permissible.
Size:
Height: 44 - 51 cm at withers (17,5 - 20 ins).
Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the
seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion
to its degree.
Serious faults:
Deviation
from a scissor bite (as a transitory measure, a very slightly overshot mouth
is permissible).
Snipy muzzle.
Spotted tongue (except pink spotted tongue).
Large ears.
Low set tail.
Coat longer than 2,5 cm.
Eliminating faults:
Flat foreface
with badly overshot bite; undershot bite.
Solid pink tongue.
Lower lip rolled in, interfering with the bite.
Round bulging eye. Entropion, ectropion.
Skin, folds or hair disturbing the normal function of the eye.
Pricked ears.
Absence of tail; stumpy tail.
Heavy folds of skin on body (except withers and base of tail) and limbs.
Not a solid colour (albino, brindle, patches, spots, black and tan, saddled
pattern).
N.B.:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into
the scrotum.
Remark:
Any artificial physical alteration to the Shar Pei (in particular lips and eyelids)
eliminates the dog from competition.