A Journey Through the Shar-Pei Past

206 BC~220 AD - Han Dynasty - Clay figurines found in burial sites thought to be representative of the Shar-Pei.

1260~1368 - Mongol Dynasty - Emperor Yuan destroys 140,000 ancient books and much potential history of the breed.

1368~1644 - Ming Dynasty - Famine and wars reduce dog ownership and interest (except as food).

1893~1976 - Mao Tse-Tung - Life span of what many consider the most powerful (and cruel) man to ever rule.

1947 - A heavy tax is imposed on companion pets in China to discourage ownership. Only the wealthy own pets.

1949 - Communism and Mao Tse-Tung take over China and raises dog taxes on the existing dogs. Later he orders a mass extermination of all breeds.

1950's - Some of the breed were smuggled off Main Land China and survived in small numbers on the islands of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan but ironically many were used in dog fighting rings.

1960's - The Chinese Shar-Pei is virtually extinct with only a few specimens existing.

August 14, 1965 - (ABDA #001) Lucky is whelped to Sire: Blue Mynah of Taileh (HKKC #7596). Dam: Jones' Chow Chow (HKKC #8685 A). Breeder C.M. Chung - Jones' Kennel, Hong Kong.

March 10, 1966 - (ABDA #003) J.C. Smiths Bigoo is whelped to Sire: Jones' Keeland (HKKC #9927). Dam: Jones' Chow Chow (HKKC #8685 A). Breeder C.M. Chung - Jones' Kennel, Hong Kong.

March 10, 1966 - (ABDA #005) Darwin D. Smith's Faigoo is whelped to Sire: Jones' Keeland (HKKC #9927). Dam: Jones' Chow Chow (HKKC #8685 A). Breeder C.M. Chung - Jones' Kennel, Hong Kong.

November 1, 1966 - (ABDA #002) Gwennala Pitt's Boby is whelped to Sire: Jones' Keeland (HKKC #9927). Dam: Jones' Jane (HKKC #8699). Breeder C.M. Chung - Jones' Kennel, Hong Kong.

November 26, 1966 - (ABDA #004) J.C. Smiths Roro is whelped to Sire: Eagles Wing of Taileh (HKKC #6740). Dam: Jones' Buty. Breeder C.M. Chung - Jones' Kennel, Hong Kong.

1966 - Lucky is exported to new owner Herman Smith, Fresno, CA, and is thought to be the first Chinese Shar-Pei to arrive in the United States. Thereafter known as Herman Smith's Lucky.

1966-1967 - C.M. Chung, Jones Kennel, exports five Shar-Pei to the US. Three of the five are registered with the HKKA (Hong Kong/Kowloon Kennel Association).

1966 - Late 60's the Guinness Book of World Records list the Shar-Pei as the worlds rarest breed.

1966 - The Hong Kong Kennel Club discontinues registration of the Shar-Pei due to current applications no longer resembling the former registrars.

1968~1970 - Three litters are whelped and the pups registered with the ADBA.

October 8, 1970 - Herman Smith's Lucky, is registered by the ADBA (American Dog Breeders Association) as a Chinese Fighting Dog four years after his arrival as the first Shar-Pei to America. This was a courtesty to Herman Smith and the ADBA opened a brand new stud book, Vol. I, for the breed and issued "Lucky" # 001.00. Not to be confused with on the same day the ABDA registered 2 dogs to J.C. Smith, named Bigoo (#003) and Roro (#004) and Faigoo (#005) was registered to Darwin D. Smith. These 5 Imports as well as 4 of their adult offspring were registered on this day and a lot of them to people named Smith.

January 1971 - 14 dogs are now registered with ADBA as a Chinese Fighting Dogs.

May 1971 - The May issue of Dogs Magazine accidently falls into the hands of Matgo Law. Focusing on rare breeds and claiming that Shar-Pei photos shown were possibly one of the last examples of the breed.

April 1973 - The April issue of Dogs Magazine contains a plea from Matgo Law for compassionate US breeders to assist in helping rescue this vanishing breed. Introducing the seldom, if ever seen in the United States, Chinese Fighting Dog. This is Down Home Anne Revival. Two weeks before she had a litter. Dogs – April, 1973

The following plea appeared in Dog's Magazine by Margarie Farnsworth:

Matgo Law who owns the Down Homes Kennel in Hong Kong, is desperately trying to save the Chinese Fighting Dog from extinction. He and a group of other enthusiast, hope that some will be imported to the U.S., where one day these ancient dogs might become as popular as the Pekingese or the Chow Chow. A poignant plea for help came in the form of a letter from Hong Kong the other day. Could Dog's magazine possibly help save from extinction the Chinese Fighting Dogs? It was signed by Mr. Matgo Law.

Mr. Law and other breed enthusiasts are desperately attempting to revive this ancient breed. Uppermost in importance to the dog's owners is that Hong Kong, now a British colony, might one day be given back to the Chinese. Should this happen, their beloved dogs would be destroyed. Dog's are a luxury in communist China. "Who knows?", wrote Mr. Law. "If we can ship out some of our dogs to your country they may some day become as popular as the Pekingese or the Chow Chow. We can only hope."

The breed existed by centuries in the southern provinces near the South China Sea. The origin is believed to be in a small town named Dah Let, in the Kwun Tung province. Here dog fighting was the favorite sport of farmers since no other form of entertainment was available to them. With the blue black tongue of the Chow Chow and the same excellent guarding instinct, it is believed that both breeds are from the same origin. However the Chinese Fighting Dog is not a smooth coated Chow Chow. In character, these dogs are not born fighter, but should his owner wish him to, he will fight to the finish He is a well balanced dog with a scowling yet dignified expression; loyal yet aloof; reserved with strangers but devoted to his family. He need not be trained, but is an excellent guardian in his home and he housebreaks himself as a puppy.

At the end of the article, the pictures were identified as dogs bred by Matgo Law. The price for a Chinese Fighting Dog, either dog or bitch is HK$700 or about $125 in American money . Air freight charges, according to the dog's weight are around $2.25 per pound of the dog.

Note: $125 in 1973 is the equivalent to $609 in 2009 Consumer Price Index

July 6, 1973 - The first Shar-Pei imported from Down-Homes Kennel. Mr. and Mrs. Victor Seas receive Down-Homes Kung Fu.

August 20, 1973 - The second Shar-Pei imported from Down-Homes Kennel. The Albrights receive Down-Homes Mui Chu.

October 21, 1973 - Lois Alexander receives the third Down-Homes export when Down-Homes Little Pea arrives at the San Francisco airport. She is pregnant after being bred to her father, Down-Homes Sweet Pea in Hong Kong.

December 29, 1973 - Down-Homes Little Pea whelps the first litter of US Shar-Pei pups from the Down-Homes Kennel stock but none of these pups live past the age of 3 years old.

December 1973 - Down-Homes Mui Chu becomes the first Shar-Pei to be shown in the United States when she appears at the Golden Gate Kennel Club Show.

January 1974 - The Albrights receive their 2nd dog, Down-Homes China Souel, from Matgo Law.

April 26, 1974 - CSPCA Meeting 1: The Original Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America is formed after a meeting of Mr. & Mrs. John Purcell, Mr. Ernest Albright and Mrs. Lois Alexander meet at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Carl Sanders in Ashland, OR. The name Chinese Shar-Pei was decided as the breed name and the name Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America (CSPCA) was chosen for the organizations name. There are 27 known Shar-Pei in the United States owned by 13 individuals.

July 27, 1974 - CSPCA Meeting 2: The Original CSPCA appoints Renee Lew as representative to the AKC as preparations are made to meet compliance and have the Chinese Shar-Pei be recognized by the AKC.

November 3, 1974 - CSPCA Meeting 3: At the Albrights home the members decide that the Shar-Pei should be shown in the Non-Sporting Group, set up a point system for the Specialty Match and decide to join the National Rare Breed Club.

April 1975 - The "Barker", the offical CSPCA Magazine, published it's first issue. When The Barker started, it was merely a newsletter typed up in small quantities for the few members that were still around since the start of the club. In the 1980s, the newsletter took on a new, magazine-like look that updated more consistently and on a regular basis. The January/February issue of 1981 was the first bi-monthly issue that started the trend that continues to this day. In 1984, the November/December issue was the first to have a color picture on the cover, as opposed to just black and white or just printed on.

January 1976 - Down-Homes Mui Chu the 2nd dog to be imported, the 2nd to be registered and the 1st to be shown at dog shows, dies of bloat.

February 22, 1976 - CSPCA Meeting 4: The Original CSPCA now has 19 members and passes the Official Standard of the Chinese Shar-Pei which will be effective for 5 years until 1981 which is an AKC required guideline.

November 9, 1976 - The CSPCA issues it's first registration number to Down-Homes China Souel owned by the Albrights.

April 23, 1977 - CSPCA Meeting 5: Earnest Albright was elected President of the CSPCA, VP: Walter (Dugan) Skinner, Secretary: Darlene Wright and Registrar: Dee Seas.

September 1977 - Dog Fancy Magazine features the Albrights Ling Ling on the front cover.

1978 - Guinness Book of World Records lists the Shar-Pei as the "rarest breed of dog in the world". Chen Cheu, owned by Shirley & Dugan Skinner, was pictured.

1978 - Ernest Albright's "Tara" becomes the first Shar-Pei to star in a movie when at 3 months old she plays "Li Chien Wu" with Tim Conway and Will Geer in Disney's "Billion Dollar Hobo". Kong was also featured in this movie.

June 17, 1978 - CSPCA Meeting 6: Held in conjunction with the Chinese Shar-Pei First Specialty Show. 63 Shar-Pei, with 46 competing, represent 1/3 of the entire Shar-Pei population in America. Best of Breed went to Walnut Lane's China Foo owned by Victor & Dee Seas. The show was later voided due to AKC regulations regarding notifications to members (The CSPCA was still under a probationary 5 year period required for AKC acceptance).

1978 - Shortly after the 1st Specialty show the CSPCA splits up into two clubs over a disagreement and each group maintains their own standards and registry.

January 1979 - Linn's Ping CD, owned by Dick & Zell Llewellyn appears in Life Magazine on the front cover with the title "Rare Breeds".

January 1, 1979 - The CSPCA has registered dogs in 21 states.

July 1, 1979 - Matgo Law judges his first American Dog Show, the 1979 Annual Specialty Show, in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

February 1979 - The Official Standard of the Original CSPCA, adopted on 2/22/1976 is sent to it's members.

November 22, 1979 - The first Shar-Pei imported into USA from Down-Homes Kennel, Down-Homes Kung Fu, aka "Stormy"" dies of bloat.

January 1, 1980 - The CSPCA has registered dogs in 37 states.

January 1981 - The CSPCA has registered dogs in 44 states.

1981 - Hon. CH Linn's Ping becomes first Shar-Pei to win an obedience title. This was repeated when she was 10 years old under AKC guidelines.

January 1, 1982 - The Original CSPCA and Second CSPCA reconcile their differences and their registries to again become one club. The breed standard is revised. Dogs must have both parents registered with the CSPCA to be eligible for registration. All references to Chow Chow and Fighting Dog are removed. To date the CSPCA has registered dogs in 49 states.

1983 - Neiman-Marcus features Chinese Shar-Pei puppies in its Christmas catalog for $2,000.00 each and they are so popular the store has to hire two full-time secretaries to take orders.

1985 - The UKC (United Kennel Club), the second largest registry in the US, opens their registry to the Chinese Shar-Pei.

April 1987 - The CSPCA membership roster has 5497 voting members with 30 applications per week. The Shar-Pei is no longer the rarest breed in the world.

May 4, 1988 - The Shar-Pei was admitted to the Miscellaneous Class of AKC recognized dog shows.

1990 - The CSPCA revises the Breed Standard. It now has over 40,000 members.

November 1990 - Matgo Law judges show in Phoenix, AZ and issues statement regarding standard breed colors which eliminates the possibility of "flowered" Shar-Pei being recognized or accepted.

March 7, 1991 The Simpson's episode Bart's Dog Gets an F, Lao-Tzu, Martin Prince's dog is a Shar-Pei. The dog appears again in Two Dozen and One Greyhounds which aired on April 9, 1995.

July 1991 - The CSPCA has over 70,000 dog registrations.

October 8, 1991 - American Kennel Club approves revised breed standard.

January 1, 1992 - AKC accepts Chinese Shar-Pei into the Non-Sporting Group.

August 1, 1992 - The Chinese Shar-Pei is allowed to compete and takes it's place as the 134th Breed recognized by the AKC.

1994 - There are more than 6600 litters registered with the AKC from 15,000 individuals placing the Shar-Pei ranking the breed 25th of 137 breeds for popularity.

February 28, 1995 - The AKC reports there are 127,666 Shar-Pei now registered with 1300 pup new pups being registered each month.

January 4, 2005 - American Dragon: Jake Long, a Disney cartoon, was first broadcast in the United Kingdom. It was broadcast later on January 4, 2005, in the United States. Fu Dog is a 600-year-old talking Shar Pei and Lao's only companion. Fu Dog speaks with a Brooklyn accent.

2004-2010 - Bpo Bpo appears on the TV series "Lost". Bpo Bpo ("a kiss" in Korean) is the name of the Shar-Pei that Jin gave to Sun ("House of the Rising Sun"). Sun asked her decorator (who was helping her escape Korea) to take care of the dog. As a puppy, the dog was a gift to Jin from Byung Han, the Secretary for Environmental Safety, for not hurting him. According to Han, the dog is "a championship breed" and "incredibly valuable" ("...In Translation"). Sun mentions Bpo Bpo when Hurley asked her if she ever owned a dog ("...And Found"). The dog, now grown and no longer a puppy, was on the street by the canal being walked by Sun when her doctor confronted her ("The Whole Truth").

2005 - BIGBANG, is a Korean hip-hop boyband made up of five Korean singers. Although their debut was somewhat successful, it was not until the release of "Lies" that the group gained mainstream success. G-Dragon is often seen with his Shar-Pei Ga-Ho.