When you make the decision to adopt a Chinese Shar Pei, you have to ask yourself if this dog will just be your lovable pet, or if you want to make it a show dog. This basic question will assist you to a certain degree in determining what color coat your Shar Pei should have. Although the Shar Pei is beautiful in all its lovely colors, certain clubs may disqualify your dog based on the color on its coat.

Professional Standard

If you're considering, or even hoping to acquire a Chinese Shar Pei fit for competition, you should be sure to stick with certain colors. Red (or Rose), Sand, Cream, Black, Sable and Blue are all acceptable solid colors for your Shar Pei's coat. The American Kennel Club (AKC) considers the above listed colors as acceptable quality for competition and will even accept shading, as long as it matches the primary color of your Shar Pei.

Because of how the dogs are judged during competition, only certain colors are acceptable. If you are considering entering your new pup into competition, make sure that it is in one of the colors specified above. If you have your heart set on a bear coat Shar Pei, you'll have to keep the Shar Pei as a family pet because the AKC disqualifies the bear coat as 'faulty'.

Lovable Standard

If you just want a cute and cuddly companion by your side to keep you company and make you smile, there are a wide variety of colors you can choose from. One of the most gorgeous of the Shar Peis is the spotted Shar Pei. Although the AKC disqualifies this trait as a "fault", a white Shar Pei with black spots is still a favorite among dog lovers because it is very adorable. It is also important to note that these "faults" are in no way birth defects or faulty; they are only considered undesirable for the purpose of competition.

The albino Shar Pei is also disqualified from competition but it is just as adorable as its sharper-colored counterparts. Other colors available for your new Shar Pei include red fawn, cream-dilute and lilac-dilute. There are, however, some markings or spots on your Shar Pei that may render it ineligible for competition, such as a brindled coat, spotted coat or patterned in any arrangement of colors. If you are interested in allowing your dog to compete in dog shows, you can feel free to choose any beautiful color of the Shar Pei rainbow available to you.

Although not completely related to the color of the coat, it is important to note that a spotted or pink tongue can also disqualify your Shar Pei from competition, but it by no means reflects any birth defects or health problems.