The ancestry of the Shar-Pei is uncertain. It may be a descendant of the Chow Chow, however, the only clear link between these are the purple tongue. Pictures on pottery suggest the breed was present even in the Han Dynasty (206bc). For many years the Shar-Pei was kept as a general-purpose farm dog in the Chinese countryside, used for hunting, protecting stock, and guarding the home and family. During that time the Shar-Pei was breed for intelligence, strength and scowling face. Later in the village of Dai Lek, near Canton in Southern China's Kwantung Province, this was at one time known as a gambler’s haven. Betting on dogfights was a popular pass time and the Shar Pei became a favourite contestant. The loose skin and extremely prickly coat were developed to aid the dog in fighting, making the Shar-Pei difficult for the opponent to grab and hold on to.  Although they had strength, stamina and determination they were given alcohol and other stimulants before a contest.

During the Communist Revolution, dogs were rescued by a Hong Kong business man named Matgo Law, who appealed to Americans through a dog magazine to save the breed. The first Shar-Pei to be imported to the US was in the mid 1960’s. The first to be registered in the US was in 1970.

In March 1981 Heather Ligget imported the First Shar-Pei to the UK a Male ‘Heathstyle Dandelion’ The first Female ‘Down-homes Junoesque’ was brought to the UK later that year from Hong Kong. The first litter to be born in the UK was the following year 1982.