Where To Find Shar Pei Breeders
The history of the rare Shar Pei dog breed can be traced
back to the Guangdong province of China. Early forms of the
breed existed as early as 200 B.C. True Chinese Shar Pei
have a different appearance than the Western version. Its
heavily wrinkled coat distinguishes the breed. Western
versions retain more wrinkles in adulthood than the more
rare Chinese versions. Both types of Shar Pei also have
small ears, high-set, curled tails, deep-set eyes and
blue-black tongues.
The American Kennel Club registered the Chinese Shar Pei as
a breed in 1992. The name is a bit of a misnomer since the
version registered is really the westernized Chinese Shar
Pei. It is ironic that the breed was registered so recently
since it is considered one of the fourteen most ancient dog
breeds. A Shar Pei breeder in China pushed for Americans to
become interested in the Shar Pei since the breed almost
became extinct in the 1970s. Though only a few Shar Pei were
shipped to the U.S. at that time, the breed has now gained
in popularity and numbers.
Though the Shar Pei has increased in popularity, it is still
a rare breed. Finding a good Shar Pei breeder may therefore
be difficult depending on what area of the country a
potential buyer lives in.
Some traits to identify a good Shar Pei breeder include
maintaining a kennel to whelp and raise healthy puppies,
encourage visits to the kennel to see the puppies and
mothers, the puppies are friendly, happy, and do not appear
afraid of people and they also interview potential buyers to
make sure dog and new owner are a good match.
Professional breeders are also affiliated with other animal
support groups and rescue centers, recognized by the
American Kennel Club and are able to provide references of
other owners who have bought Shar Pei from them. Before
turning over a puppy to a new owner an experienced breeder
will have had the puppies evaluated for typical health
conditions common to the Shar Pei breed, provide medical
records and history of vaccinations and evaluations and
provide pedigree information and registration papers
A good Shar Pei breeder will never sell Shar Pei to a pet
store. There are several reasons for this. First, pet stores
sell animals just like any other merchandise. Puppies are
shipped from one place to another and put on display for
hours at a time.
Backyard breeders or puppy mills mass produce puppies in
unhealthy conditions. The puppies produced by these places
are sickly, poorly bred. Then these puppies are shipped to
pet stores all over the county to be locked up in display
cases with very little exercise and not properly socialized
for living with a family.
Lastly, pet stores do no follow-up on sold puppies.
Breeders, on the other hand, usually keep one out of every
litter for themselves and ask for buyers to return dogs to
the breeder if owners cannot keep them for any reason. Pet
stores cannot offer a real guarantee or warranty on health
or pedigree since their merchandise comes from illegitimate
backyard breeders. An ethical Shar Pei breeder offers
pedigree information, registration papers and a warranty.
Melissa Coleman is an avid lover of the Shar Pei and has a
popular website where you’ll discover how to have a happy,
healthy and well behaved
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other topics at this website, you can also learn all about
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Shar Pei Breeders plus a whole lot more.
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