Shar-Pei

The Shar-Pei is one of those breeds you can't miss at any dog show or at any dog-walking area. The unusual shape of a head and, of course, trademark folds distinguish them among other dogs, and the picture is completed with a blue-black tongue. Among hundreds of modern breeds, only the Chow Chow can boast of that. But no less famous among breeders is their independent disposition. According to a legend, the Shar Pei used to weigh as much as 80 kilograms. However, in the process of further breeding, their body became too small while the pelt remained the same size, so it forms numerous expressive folds. Shar Pei means "sand dog". When stroking the coat, you get the feeling of rolling grains of sand under your hand. The breed is one of the Top 5 oldest dogs on our planet. Shar Pei coat is a strong allergen, so you must make sure you have no allergy-prone family members before buying a dog. Puppies are born with a completely smooth skin. The folds and wrinkles begin to appear after a few days. In winter, these dogs don’t wear any warm clothing. Despite the lack of undercoat, their coat is fine with enduring cold weather for an hour or two. Over a decade ago, American geneticists made a sensational discovery. It turns out that the trademark folds in Shar Pei are caused by a mutation in the gene responsible for production of a special enzyme which is essential for the skin cells to develop properly. 1A Shar Pei named Paddington is an online celebrity on Instagram. He has nearly 100k devoted followers.