Shar-Pei Breed Facts and Information

Coat & Grooming: Shar-Peis have short, bristly hair that is fairly low maintenance. Brushing can be done once a week, and bathing only needs to be done occasionally. After a Shar-Pei has been washed, owners will need to take particular care to ensure that no water becomes trapped within the folds of their skin, or infections can develop. Shar-Peis are also prone to ear infections, so owners will need to check and clean this area regularly. Some Shar-Peis can be sensitive about being handled, so be sure to start a grooming routine while your dog is still young.

Shedding: Shar-Peis are not known to be prolific shedders. Their hair is fairly short, and they do not have a thick undercoat like some other breeds. As long as you make time for brushing once a week, the amount of hair that accumulates inside your home should be minimal.

Training: Like other breeds with a guard dog's instincts, Shar-Peis can be a bit more of a challenge to train than the average dog. An improperly socialized Shar-Pei can be dangerous to people and pets, so owners will need to be prepared to dedicate themselves to a thorough training regimen from day one. Shar-Peis can be somewhat willful and stubborn, and they do not respond well to harsh scolding or cruelty. However, Shar-Peis are known to be incredibly loyal to humans that take the time to develop a special relationship with them. If you begin training early and expose a Shar-Pei to many different people and dogs while it is young, you should end up with a dog that is calm and protective; a true best friend.

Barking: Shar-Peis are not known to be prolific barkers, but they have strong territorial and protective instincts, so they will bark when surprised. When they are properly trained, Shar-Peis will display a calm, confident demeanor, and are unlikely to be overly aggressive. They will never be the type of dog to run over to strangers and greet them happily, but they should have no trouble in most social situations.

Personality: Shar-Peis develop a strong bond with their owner and can be quite affectionate towards them. However, they are suspicious of strangers and can be aggressive towards other dogs or people if they have not been properly socialized.

Temperament & Behavior: Shar-Peis are calm, dignified companions who prefer to rest silently at the side of their beloved owner. They grow very close with their master, but can have trouble connecting with strange people and dogs. Early socialization and training is essential for Shar-Peis because it helps them properly calibrate their protective instincts. If they are exposed to a wide variety of people and other dogs as young puppies, they should be much less aggressive and excitable later in life. If you are ever in danger, expect your Shar-Pei to respond to the situation instinctively. Though some find these dogs to have a comical appearance, they can be quite frightening when provoked.

Behavior with Kids: The same instincts that make Shar-Peis a great guard dog can get them into trouble elsewhere. If they are raised in a household with children, they can easily become accustomed to them, but interactions should always be closely supervised.

Protection: Shar-Peis were originally bred to work as guard dogs, so they have strong protective instincts. They are naturally suspicious of strangers, and will need to be trained to distinguish between friend and foe.

Life span: On average, Shar-Peis live to be about 8 to 12 years old.

Inherited Health Issues: There are a number of health conditions that occur in Shar-Peis either due to inheritance or occuring at an increased frequency within the breed. Many of these conditions are associated with the Shar-Pei’s notable skin folds. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Atopic dermatitis, Demodectic mange, Cutaneous mucinosis, Congenital megaesophagus, Hepatic amyloidosis, Hiatal hernia, Patellar luxation, Hip dysplasia, Elbow dypslasia,Cutaneous histiocytoma, Entropion, Glaucoma, Lens luxation, Prolapsed gland of the third eyelid (cherry eye), Shar-Pei Fever and Brachycephalic airway syndrome.

Preventive Care: Many of the more common health conditions in the Shar-Pei are associated both with their distinctive skin folds and being a brachycephalic breed with a compressed face, resulting in nasal abnormalities. While there is no definitive way to prevent most of these conditions, keeping your Shar-Pei at a healthy body weight can be beneficial in decreasing some of the respiratory problems associated with brachycephalic breeds.

Genetic screening tests are available for some of these conditions, and are typically performed by responsible breeders to decrease the incidence of some conditions within the Shar-Pei breed. However, not every health concern has a screening test available.

Even if your Shar-Pei seems to be in the peak of health at home, it is important to maintain routine visits to your veterinarian to detect subtle changes. Likewise, if you observe any changes or concerns in your Shar-Pei at home, including fevers, lameness, itching, skin changes, squinting, eye discharge, protruding eye(s), or breathing problems, be sure to consult your veterinarian urgently.

Although Shar-Peis do not have an extensive exercise requirement, they can still become overweight if they receive insufficient exercise and too much food. Avoid offering table scraps or too many treats, since these goodies can quickly pack on the pounds. Instead, offer your Shar-Pei portion controlled meals of a high quality balanced diet.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Shar Pei is 1.5 to 2 cups

Energy Level: Enjoys some moderate exercise every now and then

Exercise: Shar-Peis are not particularly active dogs. Their short snouts cause them to overheat if they run for too long without a rest, so they do not make very good jogging companions. If a Shar-Pei senses a threat to their owner, they can respond surprisingly quickly, but for the most part they are happy to spend their days lounging in the company of their human family.

Shar-Peis still need to go on daily walks to stay healthy and fit. One or two short daily walks of 15-20 minutes should be enough to keep a Shar-Pei satisfied. In hot weather, you will need to carefully monitor your Shar-Pei for any signs of exhaustion, and should ensure that they spend the majority of their time indoors in a cool place. They are also sensitive to cold, so walks might need to be shortened during the winter.

Climate: Shar-Peis are best suited for owners who live in places with a mild climate. Their short hair does not keep them warm during cold winters, and their short noses causes them to overheat in the summer.