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Linfashan (Lotus Mountain) 1984
(Photograph supplied by Li Fook Wah)
Information compiled are based on scattered published materials and therefore happening of event may not correspond to actual time.
Information displayed are only to show sequence of events as accurate as possible. If there is any amendment or revision we can make to make this table more informative and reflects the Shar-Pei development, please send us your input.
Shar-pei sequence of events are tabulated in the following 3 tables:
- Period in between 1940's to 1979
- Period in between 1980's to 1999>
- Period in between 2000 to date
Brief history of Shar-pei in Chinese
(中國沙皮犬簡介)
Brief history of Shar-pei
Care should be taken when we mention the word "traditional" or "bone mouth" Shar-Pei today because during recent time, the original Shar-Pei experienced two major periods of genes mixing with other breeds or types. These gene exchanges affected tremendously the subsequent development of Shar-Pei and can explain to some extend the confusion that we experience today (2005). They are respectively categorized as follows:
"The Grand Mixing" in Hong Kong from the late 1960's to the 70's, and
"The Great Meat Mouth Gene Flush" into Dali in the 1990's.
"1976" the historical dividing line
The two major periods of genes mixing was divided by "1976", the crucial year in modern Chinese history. This year marked the transition of stage of Shar-Pei history from Hong Kong into China. This is why some people in Hong Kong say Shar-Pei was developed and established in Hong Kong although it was originated in Dali, Guangdong Province.
The town of Dali was closed to the world until the death of Chairman Mao of China in 1976. This year also means defacto end of the notorious years of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). A full ten years of political isolation, political unrest and turmoil that pushed China to the brink of total meltdown and bankruptcy. An isolated China before 1976 forced the historical limelight of Shar-Pei remained focused in Hong Kong and Macau. The colonial government of England and Portugal respectively protected their territories from all the political unrests in China.
After the death of Chairman Mao in 1976 was followed by the opening up of China by Deng Xio Ping, and this open door policy remained until today. The 1980's was a period of economic "recovery and rehabilitation" in China. An isolated hermit kingdom all of a sudden become accessible to the outside world.
History is full of paradox. The Mao Communist government isolated its people from contact with the outside world also isolated the Dali Shar-pei traditional gene pool. According to oral testimony of Li Fook Wah who ventured backed into China around 1972 to 1973 in the midst of the Cultural Revolution, he saw a reasonable population of Shar-Pei being protected by geographical and political isolation. Due to lack of social or statistical records, no one can define the scale, or quantify what this "reasonable population" can be, and one can only guess from the general understanding on the situation of the time. During the difficult time before 1976, Hong Kong people sent tons of relief goods into Guangdong and helped the people in Canton (Guangdong) cushioned both the natural and political disasters. Therefore, it is very plausible and supported by testimony of Li Fook Wah that a reasonable population of "original" Shar-Pei remained hidden and protected by the agricultural communities dispersed through out the country side around Guangzhou.
(Red dots on the map shown below indicate locations of the town where Shar-Pei were being found. They are all evenly dispersed around the countryside of Guangzhou.)
| Putonghua |
Cantonese |
Chinese |
| Guangzhou |
Kwongchow (Canton) |
廣州 |
| Guanyao |
Kunyiu |
官窑 |
| Mache |
Mache |
麻奢 |
| Lishui |
Luisui |
�水 |
| Yanbu |
Yimbou |
鹽步 |
| Pingzhou |
Pingchow |
平州 |
| Dali |
Dailek |
大瀝 |
| Nanhai |
Namhoi |
南海 |
If watched from Hong Kong before 1976 and to certain extend some part in the early 1980's, it was true that Shar-Pei was on the verge of extinction due to "natural disaster", political unrests and the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) in China.
While China recovering from the aftermath of Cultural Revolution, 1980's in Hong Kong was also a booming period. While China pet market was still undeveloped, Hong Kong pet traders and breeders bred and exported large quantity of meat mouth type Shar-Pei to the western world (mainly the U.S.).
The U.S. market is always a gigantic consumer market and suck in consumer goods from all over the world like a cosmic black hole. Shar-Pei was no exception. Hong Kong and Taiwan breeders began to breed Shar-Pei according "market specification" instead of "breed specification".
Because of tremendous medical problem of meat-mouth Shar-Pei, the market pendulum swung and backfired. The market for meat-mouth Shar-Pei plummeted and produced a glut in meat-mouth Shar-Pei in U.S. , Hong Kong, and Taiwan. This market condition set the tone for the next stage of the "Great Meat Mouth Gene Flush" of the 1990's.
Summary
When you flush an isolated primitive Shar-Pei gene pool with foreign genes (Pit Bull, Boxer, meat mouth genes etc.) two times in a relative short period of time (within less than 50 years) in history, then is would not be surprising that some of the hereditary diseases that usually associated with meat mouth Shar-Pei in the west become buried back into the Dali traditional gene pool. These disease genes may "pop-up" again one day when the breeding pyramid become sufficiently large, or become very prevalent when the gene pool become relatively closed and small.
However, the observation is that, the more traditional type we get, we do see a big improvement in at least the physical condition of the breed (conformation, entropion and skin problems etc.) and the general health of the breed.
In summary, after the two impacts on the original genes, therefore, it is doubtful if we still can identify one "genetically primitive" traditional type today from Dali. This statement is supported by actual experience by many bone mouth breeders in Hong Kong. Recent attempts (2001 to 2005) by Lana Tsan, Phillip Wong, King Kwok, Li Fook Wah et al to look for primitive type at least had failed. Because life is full of surprise, we can not rule out that one good specimen may appear suddenly sometime, somewhere, but for the present moment, at least we can narrow down the statement to say that traditional type is getting more and more difficult to find even in Dali today.
Please also refer to the " nose section where we look at Shar-Pei breed dating from an etymological approach; analyzing the term "butterfly cookie" used in describing the nose of Shar-Pei.
中國沙皮狗簡介
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美國狗會(AKC)的犬種介紹論及沙皮狗的歷史可追溯至中國的漢朝。是一個非常古老的犬種。 更論述到有13世紀(宋未元初)的中國古老文獻中有記載「有皺皮」的敍述,應該是指今天所常見的沙皮狗。 由於美國市場多年來的主導,今天人們所說的沙皮狗或「皺皮狗」仍然一般都被理解為現代經過人工繁殖改變, 全身上下都有很多皺褶的肉咀沙皮狗。原來原產地的沙皮狗並不是一開始就是這一個模樣的。不識盧山真面目,只緣身在此山中。
我們傳統的骨咀沙皮狗已經謹存無幾,雖然還未有完全絕種還有一少部份在民間流傳,但如果不再保育, 相信很快就只能夠在懷舊的老照片中才能見識得到了。中國傳統骨咀沙皮狗是廣東省南海市大瀝的著名產物, 其珍貴的程度絕對不亞於四川的熊貓或貴州的茅臺。是中華民族其中一個保貴的民族遺產。 香港人作為廣東的一份子更有責任不使此中國犬種不至於失傳。
沙皮狗在中國近代史如國父孫中山一樣有著相當矛盾和複雜的歷史。 衆所周知「中山」是日本名,是孫文逃亡日本時在日本的匿名。 但當他在中國本土漸漸有名之後,他的日本假名反而取代了他本來父母給他的真名字,連他的故鄉香山縣也把祖傳的名字改為日本名字「中山」縣。 時至今日,中國各地,連中國歷史也不由自主地當「中山」是正名,己經沒有中國人再叫孫中山的真正中國名字「孫文」了。 請注意1925年的國父遺囑,「革命尚未成功,同志還須努力」名句的出處,是以「孫文」二字簽署的。 如果「孫文」沒有流亡日本就絕對不會產生「中山」這個名字。如果沙皮狗沒有去美國就不會產生肉咀沙皮狗這一回事。
今天談及沙皮狗,絕大部份中國人,包括香港人、臺灣人、歐美南洋華僑都清一色認識的是「肉咀」沙皮狗, 只有一些年紀大一點或有認識的人才會留意到曾有「骨咀」沙皮狗的存在。要改變現代中國人只對肉咀沙皮狗認識這一事實並不容易, 但不代表傳統骨咀沙皮狗並不存在。事實是傳統骨咀沙皮狗永遠會存在,直至最後一隻死去之後, 曾經存在過這一段歷史事實也是永遠也不能改變的。
傳統骨咀沙皮狗的原產地在今天廣東省彿山市南海大瀝的周邊地區。由於地理位置接近廣州與番禺, 大瀝自古成為進「城」之前的交滙點,是一個地區大市集,將周邊的物資調整運入「城」中。用現代的術語就是物流中心。 此一特色至今沒有改變,如果到「大瀝桂江農產品綜合批發市場」看一看就一目了然自然明白。傳統骨咀沙皮狗的分布亦與此物流結構重叠, 周邊的官窑、麻奢、�水、鹽步、黃岐、平洲等都曾經是出產沙皮狗的地方。
雖然話說沙皮狗的歷史可追溯至中國的漢朝(公元前二百年), 但漢朝任何對犬的論述,也只是繼承戰國時代(公元前四百年)墨子《墨經》中的「經篇下」從「名實」的角度對「狗犬也」條發展。 與西方發明光學照片技術同步,從古老照片中觀察近百年犬種外觀(phenotype)的演變,很明顯知道犬種的演變速度是非常之快的。 所以如果說對沙皮狗以「品種」角度的認識,應該最早也早不過13世紀(宋末元初)比較近乎事實。蒙古人是遊牧民族,對犬隻較重視。 對「品種」作為科學的認識在西方也只能從達爾文 在1859年11月發表「進化論」開始算起(150年間的事)。 世界上最早的犬展在同一年6月28至29日舉行也並非偶然。
今天當我們談論由上一世紀50年代(第二次世界大戰之後)起至今大約50年間沙皮狗的近代發展史, 談到「傳統沙皮狗」時使用「傳統」兩個字時就要特別留意。 在這期間大至上發生過兩次對沙皮狗的傳統基因庫做成衝擊的年代, 做成今天「肉咀」對「骨咀」的局面。
「大混雜時代」是在1960年代末至70年代期間。
「肉咀基因大冲洗時代」是在1990年代。
「大混雜時代」
這是沙皮狗被俗稱為「中國鬪狗」的年代。這是「中國鬪狗」的全盛時期。
1945年第二次世界大戰結束,百廢待興。香港經過10多年的經濟發展逐漸走向繁榮。 而中國國內則是一波接一波的政治鬪争,1966年至1976年的文化大革命更使中國閉關自守。 這時在香港的一部份鬪狗人仕將沙皮狗被挑選作為「中國鬪狗」的其中一種。所謂「中國鬪狗」亦包括廣東人一般俗稱的「唐狗」。 鬪狗這種活動是功能主導的,勝者為王,不論品種,不同犬種間交配是不受節制。
而狗展則是一種人文文化美學活動,是講究犬隻品種的血統,不能胡亂交配。 所以當初香港狗會早期接受「中國鬪狗」作為品種豋記時就產生很多渾亂和争議。 到底甚麽是「中國鬪狗」?是什麽標準?由於後來實在太多問題,香港狗會終於發函通知會員, 在1975年7月15日的信中提及停止一切有關「中國鬪狗」作為犬隻品種的登記,並停止這種犬隻以後参加任何狗展活動直至另行通知為止。 信中的標提是:「沙皮狗別稱中國鬪狗」,清楚地說明香港狗會曾經是將「沙皮狗」以「中國鬪狗」的名稱作為犬隻的品種登記的。
當時在香港社會中有兩類人士。 一類是繼續在香港玩鬪狗活動的繁殖者和另一類是参與出囗「中國鬪狗」到美國市場的商業人士。 在香港玩鬪狗活動的繁殖者將拳師狗、布爹利、比特、老虎狗、唐狗等與沙皮狗混合,務求配出一隻有「實戰價值」打得的「中國鬪狗」。 在另一方面参與出囗「中國鬪狗」到美國市場的商業人士則根據美國市場的需要,追隨美國市場價值,將這些混種沙皮狗再近親繁殖, 改變賣相,變成今天滿身皺褶的肉咀沙皮狗,以「中國鬪狗」的名義出口到美國。因為當時美國人喜歡皺褶,所以香港繁殖者就繁殖皺褶, 一時間「皺褶」成為沙皮狗的代名詞。
今天在美國見到的「花沙皮」的基因相信也是在這年代混合增幅出來的。 花基因可能來自本地唐狗、也可能來自其他入口的西方犬隻。
「肉咀基因大沖洗時代」
如果說上述的「大混雜時代」是與中國封閉的年代重叠,那麽「肉咀基因大冲洗時代」是與中國的改革開放的年代吻合。
1976年毛澤東的逝世標誌著文化大革命的結束,中國從封閉走向開放。 開頭十幾年是休養生息、重新整頓、花在基本建設上。到90年代開始是中國正式經濟起飛的年代。 香港與廣東之間的交通四通八達。到80年代末90年代初期其間中國全國寵物市場大興旺,其間大量的肉咀沙皮狗被運回國內, 做成對大瀝原種沙皮狗基因的第二次沖擊,將出口美國的混雜肉咀基因大量沖洗了大瀝市場一次,正如一個米缶之內倒入了一盆細沙然後攪均一樣, 需要很多功夫才能再將米再分開出來。
其實,美國沙皮狗市場在同樣90年已開始有變化,由於大肉咀沙皮狗帶有很多遺傳病、皮膚病等,漸漸不被市場、消費者所接受。 1995年在美國各地的沙皮狗單獨展己清楚看到走回傳統骨咀沙皮狗的身型與皺褶,全身上下皺褶的大肉咀已不再復見。那麽, 那些繁殖出來的大肉咀都去了什麽地方?90年代中國寵物市場的大興旺正好提供了契機。 本來由美國人發明與香港配合發展的肉咀沙皮狗在美國不流行了,最後倒灌回到大瀝,完成了牠的歷史使命。
到大約1998年前,大部份的大肉咀沙皮狗已經運回大瀝處理完畢。對大瀝而言,接手了一大批連歐美都沒有市場的肉咀沙皮狗可說是災難性, 沙皮狗變得沒有價值,從此一竭不振至今天。由於沙皮狗市場的衰竭,在大瀝也愈來愈少人飼養沙皮狗,飼養傳統骨咀沙皮狗更是少之又少。
在2005年7月16日 英國的沙皮狗單獨展 ,在74隻参加者之中己經完全不見全身皺褶的大肉咀沙皮狗。都已回復到傳統沙皮狗的身型體型與皺褶。 所以當我們今天談及傳統骨咀沙皮狗,必須首先要了解以上的時代背景, 才能夠明白沙皮狗的盧山真面目。只緣身在盧山的大霧中,就不能全面看見傳統骨咀沙皮狗的全貌。 作為原產地的大瀝與發源地的香港,沙皮狗今後的發展就是如何發展好傳統的骨咀沙皮狗,作為廣東的一個名牌才有發展希望。 一般沙皮狗的水平歐美都已重新整頓,無論在繁殖與養功方面都已經大大地超越了香港,唯有在傳統骨咀沙皮狗方面中港才有其發展的優勢。 反者,行內的結論是再延誤保育的話傳統骨咀沙皮狗在今後(2000年後)10年必絕種無疑。
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Introduction
