A Shar-Pei should be approached from the front and judges should use a gentle, confident touch. When approaching the dog from the front, judges can examine the eyes and assess expression. Judges should not try to pry open the eyes; it is a natural reaction to slam eyes shut in response to having them probed. Some Shar-Pei have a tight lower lip that can make examining the bite di ffi cult. It is advis- able to ask the exhibitor to show the bite and tongue. Deviation from a scissors bite and a spotted tongue are both major faults. Th ere is no need to count for full dentition. While our breed has some very unique features, it is important to remember over- all balance — it is NOT simply a head breed. Shar-Pei are to be shown in a natural state and judged at a trot on a loose lead. Th e stan- dard calls for good reach and drive and states that “proper movement is essential.” Th e breed is a ramp optional breed and many exhibitors find the use of the ramp helpful to both their presentation and the dog’s perfor- mance. It is recommended that judges give the ramp a try and make their own determi- nation on the benefits of its use.
An example of a Brush Coat Shar-Pei.
BIO Grace Fritz is from Stil- well, KS and works as a Special Education teacher. She has raised Chinese Shar- Pei since 1984. Although no
longer an active breeder/exhibitor, Grace received the last Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America’s Breeder of the Year title and has had several dogs and bitches receive CSPCA Register of Merit awards. Grace is a former Board Member and two-term President of the Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America. She still serves in the Judge Education Program and is the CSPCA Gazette Columnist and 2014 National Specialty Co-Chair. Grace has been an AKC Judge since 2001 and was fortunate to judge Best of Breed at the CSP- CA National Specialty in 2006. She is cur- rently licensed for the Non-Sporting Group, Junior Showmanship and Best in Show. Grace enjoys learning about new breeds and actively works to improve her skills and depth of knowledge in each breed. In addi- tion to Shar-Pei, she has owned dogs in the working, terrier and hound groups.
An example of the Horsecoat Variety of Shar-Pei.
“While our breed has some very unique features, it is important to remember overall balance— IT IS NOT SIMPLY A HEAD BREED.”
4 )08 4 *()5 . "(";*/& + "/6"3: t
Powered by FlippingBook