I follow and belong to a couple of online forums. One of them is a Shar Pei specific board where owners, breeders, and even a wonderful veterinarian that has dedicated her life to this breed exchange information and stories.
Sometimes it is sad to read some of these updates. Shar Pei are considered a heart ache breed. Like some other breeds they have suffered for the way they have been bred to bring out specific traits that make them the dogs they are.
I often get the question from other dog owners, my vet, and, even some of the people that know Menchi and love her, "Why did you get a Shar Pei knowing how heartbreaking it could be?"
It is a good question...why do those of us that have these breeds go and bring these dogs into our homes? Why are we so dedicated to them despite the pain we face when things go wrong. In some of these breeds it is not even a question of will things go wrong...more of a question of when.
We have been pretty fortunate with Menchi so far, but she is also still a young Pei. So far we have only struggled with a bit of skin issues and cutaneous mucinosis. There are far worse things that can happen to a Shar Pei. There is the dreaded Shar Pei Fever, Amyloidosis, Mast Cell tumors, and other types of cancers just to name a few possibilities. None of these things can be tested for by the breeders as of yet.
Why are we prepared to love a dog knowing that there may be such grief in it for us. I mean even with the healthiest of dog breeds we go into it with the knowledge that we will invariably have to say our goodbyes far too soon.
I think the answer is simple...What they offer us in return far outweighs the aches and hurts! I know that Menchi has been one of the most stellar little dogs to grace my life. I will cherish every minute I get to share with her, even the painful ones.
As always love balances everything...and as always it doesn't always make sense to others ;)
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