Tim-Be Shar-Pei

presents its

History and Philosophy

 

*****History*****

Tim-Be Shar-Pei began in 1987 with the purchase of a black horsecoat dog called "Chan," Mao's Ten Shan. Chan was a pleasant enough puppy and sired three litters before being put down at the age of four for "temperment" problems after he bit three friends in a week's time. The necropsy showed a tumor the size of a lemon at the brain stem that was pressing against the vertebrae. In retrospect, Chan only bit when someone went to pet the top of his head and never when someone approached him under the chin. I can only guess how much he had been suffering before the touch of a human hand became an unbearable souce of pain for him.

Mao's Ten Shan ("Chan")

In January 1988, I purchased my first bitch, O-Lan of Heaven's Gate (Lonnie), from a breeder in Tennessee. She was a black horsecoat and the most wrinkled puppy I had ever seen. She grew up and had a single litter that produced three flowered dogs out of five, so I had her spayed as soon as the puppies were weaned. Lonnie has been to several CSPCA National Specialty shows to watch and recently celebrated her 10th birthday. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of Lonnie to share with you at this time. (What a pitiful father I am!)

In those days, anyone who wanted to register a Chinese Shar-Pei puppy had to be a member of the Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America (CSPCA). It was through the club's bi-monthly magazine, The Barker, that I came to learn what I should have investigated before buying my first puppy. Besides the many pictures of shar-pei that graced its pages, the magazine contains the Breed Standard, many helpful articles, and pointed me in the direction of many fine books about the breed and the history of the Chinese Shar-Pei. Ultimately, my subscription to The Barker stirred a desire to exhibit my future dogs at shows and the search was on for a show quality dog, preferably a black brushcoat bitch.

After combing the eastern half of the country, my search led me to Charlotte, NC, and Gayle Gold, who trusted me enough to sell me my first real show dog, CSPCA Ch. Gold's Mother Superior Timbe, ROM, in November 1988. In the spring of 1989, I entered "Mama" in the CSPCA National Specialty held in Denver, CO, but didn't get to stay to show her as I was called back to Tennessee for a funeral. Since then, I have been to every CSPCA National Specialty and have traveled throughout the country, using all my vacation time to go to dog shows and make friends from coast-to-coast.

Since I started in shar-pei 11 years ago, I have bred 11 litters at home, producing 13 AKC champions and two Canadian Kennel Club champions (including a Chinese Shar-Pei Club of Canada National Specialty Best of Breed winner) with two puppies needing only their second major and two others needing their majors to finish their AKC championships.

*****Philosophy*****

As a breeder, I plan breedings to produce puppies that will improve upon their parents according to the accepted breed standard. I place alot of emphasis on both health and temperment and do not breed for color, size, or any of the other extras that might come with healthy puppies. All breeding stock is OFA certified good or excellent. All puppies are sold with a written contract that includes health guarantees, including congenital defects and hip dysplasia. (Unfortunately, it is not possible to guarantee against every possible health problem and it is unrealistic to try to do so.) Puppies sold as having "show potential" are also guaranteed against major faults through 12 months of age, and "pet quality" puppies are placed only on a spay/neuter contract. All clients must have a fenced-in yard and be or become members of the CSPCA.

I encourage anyone who is interested in owning a Chinese Shar-Pei to do research on the breed because it does not suit everyone's lifestyle. There are health issues that must be addressed along with the myths about the breed that seem to proliferate. Someone thinking about owning a Chinese Shar-Pei should be familiar with the Breed Standard, visit several breeders who actively show their dogs, interview veterinarians about their knowledge of the breed, and select a breeder that they feel comfortable with and who provides them with a written contract and life-long moral support and encouragement.

*****Affiliations*****

I am currently a member of the following organizations:

 

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