Frenchie-Pei

The Frenchie-Pei gets its name from its parent breeds: the French Bulldog and the Chinese Shar-Pei. The French Bulldog has a colorful history and a long one; a descendent of the molossers, the breed started out in sport and bull-baiting which were both, fortunately, outlawed allowing the French Bulldog to move on to a more pleasant life. Known in the history books of France and North America, the Frenchie was a favorite companion among society, whether rich or poor. From the lace makers in England to the farmers in France, the French Bulldog then moved on to the show ring where they were a popular addition. The French Bulldog was added to the American Kennel Club's list of breeds in 1989. The Chinese Shar-Pei – as its name suggests – originated in China. The exact origin is difficult to pinpoint because of obscure breeding records. Many believe it is a relative of the Chow Chow, while others think it is closely related to the Thai Ridgeback. Regardless, it is commonly accepted that the Chinese Shar-Pei was around as early as the Han Dynasty in 200 B.C. Chinese Shar-Peis were employed as farm and guard dogs, as well as hunters and fighters. Many died off during the Communist Revolution in China, but the few Chinese Shar-Peis that remained were bred in British Hong Kong and Taiwan. In the 1970s, Matgo Law, a business man from Hong Kong, authored an article that urged Americans to rescue the Chinese Shar-Pei from extinction. Since then, the population has grown significantly in North America and was recognized by the AKC in 1992. The Frenchie-Pei is a relatively new hybrid, but is gaining popularity quickly. It is likely to have originated in the late 1900s around the time the Chinese Shar-Pei’s population was rebounding in North America.