Sharpeis are from China, where they were nearly wiped out under Mao, who ordered all dogs killed. Four were smuggled out. All Sharpeis today can be traced to those four.
The Shar-pei is a Chinese breed used for fighting. They became briefly fashionable but they are not an easy breed to keep because they are prone to skin and eye problems. They also have a very strong instinct to fight other dogs.
