History of Shar-Pei

Shar-Pei seems to date back as far as the Han Dynasty 206BC-220AD when they are believed to have originated in Dai Lek Southern China. They were initially bred as a working dog mainly for hunting and herding. There were some breeders who trained and bred their dogs for fighting. After the introduction of breeds from the west, such as Bull Terriers, Bulldogs and the Mastiff type dogs. It was found that the Shar-Pei was no match for these breeds which were in general larger heavier and more fierce than the Shar-Pei. They reverted back to there initial use.
In 1949 the Communist took over China and pets were not allowed without paying exorbitant taxes and all breeding was banned. This in turn caused the rapid decline of the Shar-Pei and near extinction of the breed. In 1978 the Guinness Book of Records recorded the Shar-Pei as the world’s rarest breed of dog!

In 1973 Matgo Law, who has the famous Down-Homes Kennels, Hong Kong, appealed through American magazines for help in saving the breed from extinction.

The first Shar-Pei to arrive in the UK in March 1981. This was imported from the USA by Heather Ligget.
His name was “Heathstyle Dandelion”

Since then the breed has gone from strength to strength, changing along the way from the traditional type Shar-Pei to the modern type Shar-Pei we now see at the shows. The numbers have risen to the extent that the Kennel Club removed the Shar-Pei off the Rare Breed Register in 1999 and granted them Challenge Certificate status.

There have been 31 Shar-Pei to have achieved the title of UK. Champion since 1999.
The first Challenge Certificate to be awarded in the UK was to “Kyushu Nuttin to Say” Owned and bred by Andy and Karen Hudson and handled by Jane Leese at Crufts in March 1999.
The first ever UK champion was “Ch. Kolnago Red Rose” Owned and Bred by Kevin and Lin Shaw.
Gaining her 3^rd Challenge Certificate at WKC in August 1999