The Chinese Shar-Pei quite possibly may have existed in the southern provinces of China as early as (200 B.C.). The name "Shar-Pei" literally means "sand skin", translated more loosely as "rough, sandy coat" or "sand-paper-like coat" and refers to the two distinctive qualities of the coat - roughness and shortness. Highly affectionate but calmly disposed, the Shar-Pei loves  children, and makes a good house pet and guard dog.