The dog breed known for its extremely wrinkled face and ancient origins is the Shar Pei.
The Shar Pei comes from southern China and is traditionally associated with property guarding. Its loose, deeply folded skin—especially around the head and neck—is the feature most recognized in modern Western examples. The breed also has a short, harsh coat, small triangular ears, and a blue-black tongue often shared with its closest genetic relative, the Chow Chow.
The Shar Pei’s exact beginnings are not documented. Some researchers connect it with unwrinkled guardian-dog images from China’s Han dynasty, while genetic studies classify it as a basal breed that predates many modern breeds of the 19th century. “Ancient origins” therefore describes its probable deep history, not a fully documented pedigree.
War and political upheaval brought the breed close to extinction in the 20th century. In 1973, Hong Kong breeder Matgo Law appealed internationally for help. The breed later gained American Kennel Club recognition in 1992, though modern “meat-mouth” dogs differ from traditional “bone-mouth” Shar Pei types.