The size of wrinkled dog breeds ranges from the tiny Pekingese to the massive Neapolitan Mastiff. Aside from their out-of-this-world cuteness, wrinkly dog breeds share something else.
Because of their unique appearance, Basset Hounds are particularly adept at scent work; their long ears may be swung to direct aromas toward their noses and the wrinkles in their faces.
Bloodhounds are the most effective dogs for search and rescue missions. These canines are commonly observed with their noses to the ground, their huge ears swaying from side to side as they follow an imaginary path.
In a brutal and deadly sport, bulldogs were utilized as fighters. Breeders who appreciated the gentler side of these low riders with barrel chests began changing the Bulldog breed into one that is gentle and laid back.
This wrinkled dog was likely used as a guard dog in the Roman Empire as early as 700 B.C. The Neapolitan Mastiff is still highly valued for his protective abilities; he has a reputation for being reserved around strangers but extremely loyal.
Although "Pekes" are very little dogs, their personalities more than make up for their stature. Pekingese, which typically stand between six and nine inches tall and weigh less than 14 pounds, were originally the cherished pets of Chinese aristocracy due to their small size.
Pugs were historically cherished as pets by Tibetan monks in monasteries because of their friendly demeanor and cute looks. Pugs are small, stocky dogs whose enormous, wrinkled skulls are characteristic of the breed.
More than two thousand years ago, the Chinese developed the Shar-pei to serve as a hunting, herding, and guard dog. In 1973, the species was nearly extinct, but thanks to the efforts of a dedicated breeder, the population has since recovered.
The breed is characterized by thick folds of loose skin that cover its entire body, with the most obvious wrinkling occurring around the heads, necks, and shoulders of the animals.