The Shar Pei, also known as the Chinese Fighting Dog, is thought to be descended from the Han Dog, a ancient guarding breed that lived in China around 2000 years ago.
The Han Dog gave rise to two different breeds - one a heavier, more bulky dog which went on the become the Chow and a smaller wrinkled dog who became used for fighting who became the Shar Pei. Both have the same unique blue tongue showing their linked ancestry.
The wrinkled skin along with their bristly coat was an intentional characteristic to give them an advantage in fights as their opponent would find it hard to get a good grip on them or cause serious injury.
The fighting career of the Shar Pei ended when organisers were able to import larger stronger dogs, and the breed became virtually extinct when Communist leaders who felt owning dogs was a Western decadence, slaughtered any they could find.
By 1978, they found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the rarest dog in the world before a group of breed enthusiasts used the few that were left to recreate the breed. Now their numbers have risen and their future is secure - although responsible breeders are still working hard to breed for both temperament and health.