The Genetic Makeup of Miniature Shar Peis

By Melissa Coleman

The Mini Shar Pei comes from a recessive gene in their DNA. These dogs were once considered mistakes, but recently the gene responsible was discovered. The Mini Shar Peis are miniature versions of the Shar Pei.

The basic difference between the standard Shar Pei is that the Mini Shar Pei can only be seventeen inches tall. They are a solid color with a black or bluish tongue. Their coat colors can be black, brown, red or fawn and they have a very wrinkled face. All Shar Pei puppies are wrinkle puppies. They are one of the cutest of breed puppies. They have a short tail, which comes above its back and ends in a tight curl. They can have either a brush coat or a horse coat with the hair no longer than one inch on the back. The texture of the coat can be harsh to soft, but never long and wavy or excessively thick.

The Mini Shar Pei is a short dog that is broad and square. Their most pronounced characteristic is the wrinkling around his face. He is a good-natured dog with a flair for independence. He is fiercely loyal to his family and will defend them from any stranger. Mini Shar Peis may be little short dogs, but they are mighty powerful. The Chinese first bred Shar Peis hundreds of years ago to be fighting dogs.

They evolved into guard dogs until they almost became extinct. They have made a major impression on the world in the last seventy-five years. Shar Peis must be socialized early in their lives or they will become naturally aggressive. This goes back to their Chinese ancestors fight training.

They will always defend their family and their territory fiercely. But Shar Peis and Mini Shar Peis, in particular, make great family pets. They are loveable and affectionate with their family and have a tendency for comedy.

The Mini Shar Pei is a dog that goes back into ancient Chinese ancestry. They worked as the official guard dogs for the Chinese royal family. The English word for Shar Pei is sand coat, referring to the dog's coarse coat. These dogs were made for defense. They are hard to grab because of their small eyes and ears and if there body is grabbed the grabber will only get a handful of wrinkly skin as the dog has time to turn around and bite. These dogs were great guard dogs in their day. At one point they were nicknamed the Golden Lion. They eventually became the most rare breed on earth only to reappear in the last century.

They make loveable and playful pets and some wonder if they weren't first bred as companion dogs instead of fighting dogs. The Mini Shar Pei is now one of the most popular dogs of all time. The puppies that grow into their skin are definitely one of a kind.

Melissa Coleman often lectures to local rescue groups about the many purebred dogs being abandoned. Both of the Shar Pei types have the noticeable characteristic of wrinkles around the face. Shar Pei information can be found on the Internet and in encyclopedias.