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. The Shar-Pei's pigmentation resembles the Chow Chow, as they have been crossbred before, probably giving the Shar-Pei the same blue-black tongue. There are over 16 recognized colors in the AKC standard. The coat must be solid in. A common problem is a painful eye condition, entropion, in which the eyelashes curl inward, irritating the eye. In Australia, more than 8 in 10 Shar-Pei require surgery to correct eye problems, contributing to them being the most expensive breed to insure.