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 Shar Pei is easily distinguished from other breeds by its unique wrinkled appearance and blue-black tongue. Shar Pei puppies have wrinkles all over their bodies when born but as adults grow into their wrinkles. The original Chinese Shar Pei grew out of its wrinkles almost completely so that the body was smooth and only the face and neck retained wrinkles. A modern Shar Pei breeder maintains a western version of the Shar Pei, which retains more wrinkles. A Shar Pei comes in many colors including red, tan, white, blue-grey and black. The breed's coat comes in three types, horse, brush and bear. Shar Pei also have high-set, short, curly tails.

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.

Even with common breeds, finding a good, ethical breeder can be difficult. Buyers should do their research on many levels before buying a Shar Pei. Research should begin with deciding why the buyer wants one of these ancient, wrinkled, incredibly cute and lovable dogs.

Buyers should research the breed, its physical traits and temperament, and its common health problems. After buyers have determined what Shar Pei characters are like, they should research what this breed requires to be happy and healthy. Next, buyers should begin to research Shar Pei breeders. The local ASPCA or veterinarian may be good places to start. The Internet is another option. However, any site offering next day pets may be suspicious. Any good Shar Pei breeder will want a buyer to be local so they can visit the kennel and get to know a Shar Pei and its parents before taking it home.

Reputable, experienced breeders never sell puppies to pet stores. A qualified Shar Pei breeder will screen prospective buyers because they care about all the puppies they breed. They want to be sure each and every puppy goes to a great home with loving owners giving proper care.

Second, buyers are not screened, as they would be by a breeder. Anyone with a credit card can buy a puppy. Third, unsold puppies may be shipped to yet another store, sold to a smaller pet store or euthanized. Shar Pei breeders ensure that their puppies remain in a stable environment until they are sold to a good home.

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.