Shar-Pei

[ shahr-pey ]

noun

1. one of a Chinese breed of large muscular dogs having a distinctive wrinkly skin covered by a fawn to dark brown smooth coat, originally developed as a guard dog.

Shar Pei

/ ʃɑː ˈpeɪ /

noun

1. a compact squarely-built dog of a Chinese breed, with loose wrinkled skin and a harsh bristly coat

Word History and Origins

Origin of Shar-Pei¹

First recorded in 1975–80; from dialectal Chinese, equivalent to Chinese shā pí literally, “sand fur” (compare Guangdong dialect sā péi ); English spelling with r perhaps r-less speaker's representation of the vowel

Word History and Origins

Origin of Shar-Pei¹

C20: from Chinese shā pí , literally: sand skin

Example Sentences

Since then, the family has been trying to keep their spirits up, gazing at the nine-foot icicles and trying to keep their dog, a Shar-Pei pit bull named Sonny, from sinking into the snow like quicksand.

From New York Times

Walking his two Shar-Pei dogs on the lawn in front of City Hall, Terence Greiner, homeless until two years ago, said he thinks “anyone elected into office should be allowed to finish their term.”

From Washington Post

She has a glossy, light caramel coat and an adorable, wrinkly face that makes some think there could be some Shar-Pei in her mix.

From Washington Post

Jamón, my shar-pei and the primary taste-tester for this particular recipe, looks up at me, and I note the satisfying similarity between his thick, ribbonlike folds and the gentle waves of crust on my cutlet.

From New York Times

In a competition that can include a Norwegian elkhound, Australian shepherd and Chinese shar-pei, the people come from all over the world, too.

From Seattle Times