If you consider the fact that the Shar Pei was so close to disappearing forever back in the 1970's. It has clambered its way back from the brink of extinction exceedingly well.

Thanks to the highly successful breeding plan that Matgo Law introduced in America for the Shar Pei, 1981 was the year that Shar Pei fanciers in the UK celebrated as this saw the very first male Shar Pei travel into the UK.

Another year later and the first Shar Pei bitches started to arrive but within four years there were in excess of three hundred and fifty Shar Pei registered with the Kennel Club.

Crufts is the most prestigious dog show in the world and the first show was held in 1891. Eventually the Kennel Club took over the smooth running of Crufts.

In 2001 entries were permitted from dogs living overseas but it was a UK breeder who took the, 'Reserve Best in Group' prize in 2002 for her Shar Pei. The breed as a whole is entered into the Utility group at Crufts and this particular Shar Pei was a male called, 'Forgevalley Pause and Pose For Chequerpei'.

A procedure known as 'skin tacking' was brought to the Kennel Club's attention several months ago. This is where Shar Pei puppies as young as three to four weeks old have the treatment performed on their eyelids. A veterinary surgeon will 'tack' the excessive folds of skin on the eyelids, then at the age of eight to ten weeks the tacks are taken off.

Veterinary surgeons are now required to mention any 'skin tacking' to the Kennel Club. Also any people showing Shar Pei dogs at Crufts are obliged to complete a section on their entry forms for the show, declaring that no Shar Pei they are showing has had the procedure done.

So from its ancient history of being threatened with extinction to its modern history of abundant numbers of Shar Pei worldwide. This is one dog that has really fought back at man for its vanishing numbers.