Hi - my name is Gill - married to Dave and this is a bit about how we got our first Shar-Pei.

I have loved Shar-Pei for many years but never thought I would be able to have one - I remember when they first came to this country and were very expensive - as a mum with  a young family it was beyond my means and I put all thoughts of them from my head.  A divorce and children grown up brought a change of circumstances!!

Two years ago I went with my son to look at a Weimeraner puppy.  The breeders had just bought a Shar-Pei - I was in love!!! I thought to myself - I really could have a Shar-Pei now - next job to persuade my husband to agree, it only took 2 weeks of sulking and the many tricks we ladies have of getting 'our own way' till he said ok!!  Next was the search for a puppy.  After much research and many phone calls I located a litter and went with my son and daughter to view - just what I was looking for and so the deposit was paid and a 2 week period to prepare for Lilly coming home!!!

Bed, collar, lead, toys, treats, poo bags, bowls and food were all bought and on the arranged date my sister and I set off to fetch her.  From the day she arrived in our home she was our life - and has been ever since!!  I read in a book on Shar-Pei that 'if they know they are making you laugh they will keep doing something' - how true, they must be the most entertaining and comical dogs around.  

It was said to me that you will never stop at just one Shar-Pei - I thought I would be different and just have one -  that was until Lilly had her litter - I just had to keep one and and so we had 2 Shar-Pei.  Lilly & Cilla.

Then guess what - we decided that we would like to buy a dog and show him.  A look round what was available and a phone call or two and off we set to buy our boy - we now have 3 - Lilly, Cilla and Henry!

In February we decided to buy another Girl - after talking to some friends we learnt that there was a rather lovely girl looking for a new home - we now have 4 - Lilly, Cilla, Henry and Maude!!

We are extremely lucky to live close to specialist vet Chris Mann from Chapel House Vets in Chesterfield and all our dogs are seen by Chris on a regular basis to ensure their continued good health.