The Shar-Pei is an intelligent and self-assured breed of dog that was developed over two thousand years ago somewhere in ancient China. Shar-Pei were employed as exemplary guardians. Guinness World Records declared Shar-Pei the world’s rarest breed in 1978, but the dogs’ stoic and devoted nature has earned them an equally devoted following. These ancient animals have become more popular in recent decades, and there are now many dog breeders in the United States who specialize in these unique canines. In one convenient publication, The Complete Guide to the Shar-Pei provides all the information you need to raise your Shar-Pei pup into a regal, well-mannered adult. You will turn to this comprehensive guidebook for solid advice throughout your Shar-Pei’s lifetime, from your first foray into screening breeders to your precious pooch’s final years. This comprehensive guidebook to the Shar-Pei breed answers crucial questions, such as: Is a Shar-Pei the right breed for me? Which training methods are most effective for an obstinate Shar-Pei? How do I best prepare my family to live with a Shar-Pei? What common mistakes should I avoid when raising a Shar-Pei puppy? Shar-Pei tend to be cool and collected at home, making them generally easy to live with, but they also tend to be strong-willed and may be aggressive towards other dogs. In these pages is everything that you need to not only decide if this is the right breed for your household but also how to ensure that your wrinkly little pup grows into a healthy and confident adult dog. Learn more about the history of Shar-Pei, what makes them tick, and tips and techniques to help your dog reach his highest potential, including: The unique temperament of the Chinese Shar-Pei How to choose the right breeder Selecting an adult Shar-Pei Budgeting for the first year How to puppy-proof your home, inside and out Shar-Pei and the multipet household Techniques to make house-training easy The tremendous importance of socialization Effective training methods for Shar-Pei Preventing and extinguishing unwanted behaviors When to enlist a professional trainer Health concerns common to the Chinese Shar-Pei Bathing and grooming best practices for your wrinkly pup Caring for your aging Shar-Pei While not the best choice for a novice pet owner, the Chinese Shar-Pei is an ideal pet for the experienced pet parent who is looking for a loyal and trustworthy companion that is naturally fairly quiet—except for some world-class snoring—and doesn’t require a great deal of exercise. A properly socialized Shar-Pei makes a noble and self-possessed guard dog who will exhibit great loyalty toward his family. This guide to the Chinese Shar-Pei gives you all the tools necessary to gain your Shar-Pei’s respect and trust and give him the best life possible. This wide-ranging guidebook is a must-have addition to any Shar-Pei parent’s library!

One of the world's most peculiar dogs, perhaps, is the Chinese Shar-Pei, known for distinctive wrinkles, his blue black tongue, and his extremely harsh coat. Few dogs have as fascinating a history as the Chinese Shar-Pei, an ancient breed rescued from the precipice of extinction in the mid 20th century. Devoted fans of the Shar-Pei describe the breed as affectionate, protective, independent, and calm. This Comprehensive Owner's Guide gives newcomers to the Shar-Pei all of the necessary information about socializing and training the Shar-Pei, preventing and handling potential health issues, and evaluating the compatibility of the breed to a new owner's expectations and life style. Author Juliette Cunliffe paints a realistic and revealing portrait of this extraordinary breed that requires an attentive, dog-smart owner to thrive., an account that all lovers of the breed will appreciate for its insight and candor.New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.

With a wag and a "woof," this book invites readers to meet the Chinese Shar-Pei. Readers will examine the history, physical attributes, development, and behavior of the Chinese Shar-Pei breed. Coat, color, size, and care instructions are also discussed. Full-color photos allow readers to see these independent, loyal dogs in a variety of situations. An index and glossary are also included. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Highlights what we know about the pathways pursued by embryos and evolution, and stresses what we do not yet know.

The ultimate resource for dog lovers, this authoritative volume on selecting and caring for any kind of dog focuses--in the ASPCA tradition--on mixed breeds, a major difference from most other dog books, which describe only purebreds. 650+ photos. (Pets)

Is a Springer Spaniel too high-strung for an apartment? Is a Golden Retriever the best choice for a family with young children? This easy-to-use, A-Z guide profiles the behaviors of all breeds recognized by the AKC, as well as a cross-section of mixed breeds. The authors also discuss how to choose the right breeder, how to select a puppy and prepare for its homecoming, and more. Line art.

Training the Best Dog Ever, originally published in hardcover as The Love That Dog Training Program, is a book based on love and kindness. It features a program of positive reinforcement and no-fail techniques that author Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz used to train the White House dog, Bo Obama, and each of Senator Ted Kennedy’s dogs, among countless others. Training the Best Dog Ever relies on trust and treats, not choke collars; on bonding, not leash-yanking or reprimanding. The five-week training program takes only 10 to 20 minutes of practice a day and works both for puppies and for adult dogs that need to be trained out of bad habits. Illustrated with step-by-step photographs, the book covers hand-feeding; crate and potty training; and basic cues—sit, stay, come here—as well as more complex goals, such as bite inhibition and water safety. It shows how to avoid or correct typical behavior problems, including jumping, barking, and leash-pulling. Plus: how to make your dog comfortable in the world—a dog that knows how to behave in a vet’s office, is at ease around strangers, and more. In other words, the best dog ever.