The history of the breed numbers about 2000 years and to proceed from well-known facts and equipped with Chinese legends and myths, today we can insist that shar-peis are one of the oldest domestic animals of China.
I take a risk to assume that shar-peis are distinguished from representatives of other breeds because culture, society, religion, surroundings, climate and many other factors of the Orient considerably differ from those in Europe. They strike our imagination being unexplored, incomprehensible and enigmatic.
From my experience of associating with my own shar-peis I can judge with their unique mental powers, scrupulous wits, aspiration to be neat. In each puppy of this breed there is a wisdom grain of a "spiritual adviser" of an old man, that is why it is so easy to follow and explain the behavior of these dogs, who happen to act like humans.
When american breeders started restoring the breed practically destroyed in the country of its origin, they faced the number of fascinating things. For example the amazing ability of reproduction allowed shar-peis to look exactly like their aboriginal ancestors, despite the addition of different breed's blood.
However, our colleagues note some breed's representatives' disability to adjust to environmental changes, their negative respond towards bad environment, geographic zone change.
And nevertheless, these animals have a strong will to live, to reproduct, and are very tolerant to physical pain, poor quality food.
Shar-peis are called "single man's" dogs. They give their love to one person, choosing their masters no matter what their sex and age are.
They are very loyal friends and in big families obey and protect all family members, but if they are separated from that only one they love most, dogs start being sick and can even die from grief.
I can give many examples of shar-peis being so special, loyal, intelligent. Having acquainted with this mysterious wanderer of Orient once, you'll never take dogs of other breeds.
Shar-pei conquers your heart once and forever.