The Shar-Pei is a type of dog breed known for its deep wrinkles and blue-black tongue. The breed originates from southern China. The English name 'Shar-Pei' derives from the British spelling of the older Cantonese shā pèih (沙皮, Mandarin: shā pí), which translates to 'sandy skin' and refers to the texture of the breed's short, rough coat. As puppies, Shar-Pei have numerous wrinkles, but as they mature, these loosen and spread out as they 'grow into their skin'. The Shar-Pei was named in 1978 as one of the world's rarest dog breeds by TIME magazine and Guinness World Records. Although the Shar-Pei has been identified as a basal breed that predates the emergence of the modern breeds in the 19th century, the American Kennel Club recognized it as their 134th breed only in 1992. Most adult Shar-Pei puppies need early socialization with children, strangers, and other mammals. The Shar-Pei is often suspicious of strangers, which pertains to their origin as a guard dog.