Cocker-Pei

Because the Cocker-Pei is a very modern breed, documentation on their history is limited to none. However, the Cocker Spaniel’s roots date back to the mid 1800’s.  The Cocker Spaniel was trained to flush out the woodcocks from its hiding place. The first Cocker Spaniel came to the United States in the early 1600s. and was officially added to the American Kennel Club roster in 1878. It is the smallest member of the Sporting group. The American Spaniel Club was formed in 1881 and is considered the oldest breed club in the United States. The Cocker Spaniel was the most popular dog breed in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s. The Cocker Spaniel has won the Westminster’s Best of Show award 4 times. In 1944, a Cocker Spaniel image was used on the Coppertone billboards.  Disney’s animated classic, Lady in the Tramp was released in 1955.  Lady was a beautiful animated Cocker Spaniel. The Shar-Pei is an ancient breed that originated in China. During the Han Dynasty, they were used as fighting dogs. Eventually they became beloved companions to Chinese emperors. When the People’s Republic of China was established, the Communist rulers were against their people owning dogs as companions. They demanded that all pets should be slaughtered.  Thankfully, some Shar-Peis survived and the breed survived in British Hong Kong and in Taiwan. A few Shar-Peis were imported to the United States from stock registered with the Hong Kong Kennel Club. The Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America was organized in 1974. The Shar-Pei was accepted into the American Kennel Club’s in 1988.