The miniature Shar-Pei is from the same foundation stock as their larger cousins the Chinese Shar-Pei. The miniatures size comes from a recessive gene that these dogs carry in their DNA. The MSPCA is the breed registry that is working with member breeders to enhance that recessive gene in the breed. In this way they can in the future transform the recessive to a dominant trait, insuring the small size of the Miniature Shar-Pei.

The MSPCA standart says that, "height will not exceed 17 inches at the withers excluding the wrinkles. The head should be slightly large in porportion to the body. Eyes should be dark, clear and almond shaped. Ears should be small, triangular, thick, lying close to the head and preferrably curled back at the edge.

Other than their abundant wrinkles, the most distinguishable feature of the Miniature Shar-Pei is the coat. It is coarse and very like stroking a brush. Three coat lengths are seen in this breed. The shortest coat is the "horse coat" then is the "brush coat" with fur up to one inch in length at the withers. The first two lengths are preferred for breeding and show animals. The last coat length is the "bear coat" considered a fault in a show dog. Being over one inch in length.