The Chinese Shar-Pei is an ancient breed of dogs originated in China over 2000 years ago.
The Chinese Shar Pei breed of dogs is one of
the kind companion and guardian dog.
Originally bred to be herding guard dogs, Shar-Pei dogs are now family dogs who love to laze around on couches.
They may be lazy, yes, but they are also as alert and
agile to any threat. They are extremely loyal pets but also are suspicious of
strangers.
The name Shar Pei translates to sandpaper-like because
their skin is very hard to touch.
They are medium-sized dogs, who are on the heavier
side.
They are known for their sharp, small coat, loose wrinkled bodies. They closely resemble Chow Chow too.
Table of Contents
Chinese Shar Pei Pictures:
Chinese Shar Pei Facts:
Avg. Weight: 25-30 kg (Male), 18-25 kg (Female).
Avg. Height: 46-56 cm.
Life Expectancy: 9-11 years.
Dog Group: Non-Sporting Group.
Colors: Solid Red, Fawn, Cream, Black, White.
At A Glance:
Size (3/5)
The Chinese
Shar Pei dog is about 46-56 cms tall.
A male would
weigh about 25-30 kgs and a female would weigh anywhere between 18-25
kgs.
An average Chinese
Sher Pei size is moderate, they are categorized as Non-sporting dogs.
Affection Level (2/5)
The Chinese
Shar Pei dog is extremely affectionate towards humans. They will smother
you with kisses and throw themselves at you.
They are
independent, reserved and suspicious of strangers. If socialized in her early
years, they can become amenable to people who it doesn’t know.
Apartment Friendly (4/5)
The size of your
dog, sometimes, does not determine whether it is apartment-friendly or not.
Same is the
case with Chinese Shar Pei.
Despite their
big size, they are perfectly suited for apartment living and can live in small
spaces too.
Cold Weather Tolerability (2/5)
Shar Pei dogs
enjoy the cold weather a lot.
However,
because of their short and small coat, the need sweaters or warm clothes to
stay for longer periods in cold weather.
Hot Weather Tolerability
(1/5)
Because of
their “hippopotamus like” muzzle, they find it harder to breathe in hot
weather. Hence, it is advised to not keep them in hot weather longer than
required.
Barking Tendencies (1/5)
Shar Pei dogs
are known to be silent dogs, they are known to bark in times of playfulness or
worry.
Cat-Friendly (1/5)
Shar Pei was
initially meant to be herding dogs, hence they tend to chase and seize cats or
other furry animals.
Dog-Friendly (1/5)
Shar Pei dogs
do not get along with other dogs, especially of the same sex.
They need to
know who is the leader of the pack or they become very competitive and start
fighting on their own.
Exercise Needs (3/5)
This breed of
dog does not need too much exercise.
A 30 min walk and a few games during the day
should suffice.
Grooming Needs (5/5)
Shar Pei dogs
need very minimal grooming.
They need to
be bathed only once every three months or when they are dirty, whichever comes
earlier.
Playfulness (3/5)
The Chinese
Shar Pei dog is extremely playful in addition to being loyal.
They enjoy
games and treats too.
However,
giving them too many treats could make them obese.
Trainability (3/5)
They are known
to be highly intelligent dogs and respond well to training.
They are very
easy to housebreak.
They are smart
and quick to understand commands.
Intelligence (2/5)
They are very
smart and bright. They have a mind of their own.
They can be
stubborn too, so they need an owner who is assertive and can control him.
The Chinese
Shar Pei temperament is calm and collected.
They are also
extremely devoted to their family.
Mouthiness (2/5)
Chinese Shar
Pei dogs are not known for drooling too much.
However, an
angered Shar Pei dog will bite a dog/person. The owner should know how to
control it.
Price Group
Your budget
should be anywhere between $2000 to $6000.
Depending on
bloodline and breeder the price will vary.
The average Chinese
Shar Pei price is $900.
About Chinese Shar Pei:
igure class="wp-block-image">
Chinese Shar Pei dogs are one of the rarest dogs on this
planet.
They have a lot of wrinkles on their body or loose skin,
which makes them even more adorable to cuddle with.
They have a very calm temperament; they don’t fight or bark
too much.
They socialize with strangers. They are very loyal to their
family and extremely protective of them.
Where Chinese Shar Pei Dogs Came From?
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Chinese Shar Pei history is actually quite fascinating.
These have originated from the southern provinces of China.
They date back to 2000 years although there is no definite
proof to support that claim.
Although many statues look a lot like the Shar-Pei from the
Han Dynasty (200 B.C.)
The Shar-Pei also resembles the Pug and Chow Chow breed of
dogs.
Shar Pei dogs served as guardians, herder, hunters and
fighters.
In China, however, after the establishment of the People’s Republic
of China, there was a decline in this breed.
Since Communism frowned upon having dogs as pets and charged
a tax on them, the population of this breed was wiped out.
A handful of Shar-Peis took refuge in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The breed, however, carried one because of one man alone-
Matgo Law, of the Down-Home Kennels in Hong Kong. If it wasn’t for his efforts,
the Shar-Pei wouldn’t have lived to this day.
He brought Shar-Peis to the United States in ’73. After a
sufficient number of Shar-Pei dogs were bred, the became extremely popular.
This led to the formation of the Chinese Shar-Pei Club of
America Inc, in the year 1974.
In the year 1991, the American Kennel Club recognized this
breed as a member of the Non-Sporting Group.
SizeSize
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Known for its stocky and compact size, Chinese Shar-Pei dogs
are somewhat a weird combination of looks and features.
The head of the Shar-Pei is flat and broad, with a stop in
the head, and a wide “hippopotamus” like muzzle.
There is a perpetual expression of frowning on the Shar-Pei’s
face due to the folds in the skin around the forehead.
Compared to the Chinese Shar Pei size, the ears are
relatively smaller.
They fold forward and are triangular in shape.
They have medium-sized, almond-shaped eyes. The color of the
eyes depends on the color of the dog’s coat.
Just like the Chow Chow, Shar-Pei’s have blue-black
pigmentation, almost lavender coloration around the gums, lips and the tongue.
The neck has a generous amount of skin around the neck. The
skin coat consists of only primary hair, the soft undercoat is absent.
In comparison, males are taller and heftier than females.
They are around 50 cms tall weighing 25-30 kgs whereas
females are shorter, some 46 cms, and weigh 18-25 kgs.
TrainabilityTrainability
k-image">
Shar-Pei dogs are easy to housebreak.
Although, the need a very firm and assertive master who can
control him. They are known to have a mind of their own, you might have to deal
with a few obstinate streaks of your pet.
Their stubborn and dominant nature will often make you prove
that you’re in control. If they think there’s no leader of the family, they
will try to be it.
But through consistent behavior and training, they will
respond well to commands.
Grooming
Grooming">
If you’re looking for low maintenance, zero fuss dog, A
Chinese Shar Pei is the right choice for you.
The sandpaper type of hair coat is the most unique
characteristic of Shar-Pei. Their brush coat is not longer than a centimeter.
Their fur type does require occasional bathing for a healthy
hair coat. Their coat must look healthy, not shiny.
You must be correct while choosing the products for their
coat, to achieve optimal results.
You should, however,
take your Shar-Pei to the groomer on a regular basis. Every two months.
Common DiseasesCommon Diseases
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TARGETING THE BONES
Elbow Dysplasia –
This is somewhat similar to hip dysplasia; both are
degenerative diseases.
Elbow Dysplasia is said to be caused by abnormal growth
resulting in a malformed and weakened joint.
There are variations in severity, it could simply be
arthritis or the dog could become lame.
The treatment for elbow dysplasia could be surgery, weight management
or anti-inflammatory medication.
Hip Dysplasia –
This is an inherited condition in which the thighbone does
not fit into the hip joint. Some dogs exhibit pain and lameness, either in one
or both legs.
Some may not display signs of discomfort so the most certain
way to check for Hip Dysplasia is X-ray.
Any Shar-Pei who is diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia should not
be bred.
Patellar Luxation:
Also known as slipped stifles, Patellar Luxation is very
common in dogs.
Patella means kneecap. Luxation means, in common words, the
dislocation of a joint. Patellar Luxation is when the knee joints, often of the
hind legs, slides out of position.
The pain caused by this is crippling. Many dogs, however,
endure it and live normal lives.
Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD) –
This orthopedic condition is caused by improper growth of
cartilage in the joints.
It commonly occurs in the shoulders but is seen in shoulders
too.
Overfeeding of “growth formula” foods, or high protein diets
may escalate the development.
Usually, it is detected as early as four to nine months.
TARGETING THE SKIN
Chinese Shar-Pei dogs are
susceptible to a lot of skin diseases such as
Demodectic Mange
–
This disease is caused by Demodex mite, usually, the mother
dog passes it on to her children in within the first few days of birth.
Demodex mites live in hair follicles and aren’t causing
worrisome.
Until your Shar-Pei’s immune system has compromised, these
mites then develop causing demodectic mange.
It is usually in patches of red, flaky, bald skin appearing
on the head, neck, and forelegs.
More often so it clears up on its own but a visit to the vet
is advised if you want to prevent it from happening further.
It can easily spread all over the body and cause infection.
Pyoderma –
This is a bacterial infection and is very common in this
breed. There are two types of pyoderma – primary and secondary.
Secondary pyoderma occurs from an underlying condition such
as an allergy or hypothyroidism.
This can be treated with antibiotics.
Seborrhea
–
Characterized by flaky skin and a rancid odor, this is a
secondary disease.
Usually occurs after the dog has an allergy or infection.
Treatment for seborrhea includes treating the underlying
disease and using a medicated shampoo.
Cutaneous Mucinosis
–
This substance in the skin, Mucin, causes wrinkling in the
skin.
It acts like a glue when the dog is wounded; clear.
Some Shar-Pei dogs may have a lot of mucins. This may form
clear bubbles on the skin that may ooze.
This is usually associated with allergies and treated with
steroid therapy.
TARGETING THE EYES
Glaucoma
–
Glaucoma is the increased pressure in the eye.
It is found in two forms – primary and secondary.
Primary glaucoma is hereditary, secondary glaucoma is caused
by decreased liquid in the eyes due to other probable diseases.
Symptoms of glaucoma are loss of sight and pain, treatment
and prognosis but they vary depending upon the type.
Glaucoma is treated surgically or with eye drops.
Entropion –
This condition persists when the eyelid is rolled inwards in
both eyes.
Usually occurs within a year of birth.
This disease causes loss of vision and irritation.
Surgery can be performed when the dog reached adulthood.
TARGETING THE BODY
Shar-Pei Fever –
This is also called swollen hock syndrome.
Shar-Pei fever occurs with the swelling of the hock joint,
sometimes both joints.
It makes movement very painful, causing crippling abdominal
pain, diarrhea, puking, and breathlessness.
This condition usually manifests at 18 months but can also
appear when the dog is an adult.
Unexplained fevers at the temperatures of 103 to 107 degrees
lasting about 24 to 36 hours.
Hypothyroidism
–
This disease is a disorder of the thyroid gland, it is
responsible for the occurrence of epilepsy, hair loss, hyperpigmentation,
obesity, lethargy, and other skin condition.
It is treated with proper medication and diet.
Gastric Tension
–
This is a life-threatening situation that can affect large
and deep-chested dogs.
This could arise if they are fed large meals or they eat
rapidly or they drink too much water after eating.
This condition also called “bloat”, is common among other dogs.
It occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and
then twists.
The dog is unable to vomit, to get rid of the excess air in
the stomach. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock.
If the dog isn’t taken to the vet, it can die.
Check for a bloated stomach or excessive drooling. Your dog
could be breathless, depressed and lethargic. If you see these signs, call the
vet immediately.
Do not feed your dog canned food as it has a lot of
carbohydrates and could lead to obesity.
Maintaining good eating habits can hinder the occurrence of
hip and elbow dysplasia.
Shar Peis should have access to cool, clean water at all
times but should not drink in excess as it could lead to bloating.
Vaccination and Care
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Chinese Shar Peis are prone to the same bacterial and viral
infections-the same as other dogs.
Distemper Vaccine
This severely
affects the organs of the Shar Pei such as the spinal cord, respiratory system,
brain, and intestines.
The common
symptoms of having distemper are high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, etc.
Pravo
This disease
spreads through the infected dog’s hair or feet. It is fatal.
Usually, if
Shar Pei are under a year, they are prone to this virus.
Signs that
your dog could have this are bloody diarrhea, depression, vomiting, fever, etc.
Rabies
This is a very damaging virus; it deteriorates the brains of all mammals.
Dogs secrete
large amounts of this virus in their saliva and thus, a dog is infected with
rabies when it is bitten by another dog.
Signs that a
dog has rabies can be seen in behavioral changes such as restlessness and
aggression. They become hypersensitive to touch, light, sound, etc.
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