Chinese Shar-Pei Dog: Personality, Exercise, Health

(Shar-Pei)

Group: Southern, AKC Non-Sporting

AKC Ranking: 47

Also Known As: The Wrinkly Dog, Chinese Fighting Dog

About Chinese Shar-Pei

Origin of the Breed The Shar Pei breed comes from the Guangdong province of China where it was well-known as a fighting and guard dog. The original Shar-pei from China looked very different from the breed now popular in the West.

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Description of the Breed

Both heavily wrinkled dogs with large heads and smaller headed dogs with tighter looking skins occur in this breed. The small ears fall forward and the tail is carried in a curl. These dogs have a blue-black tongue. It has a square profile with a broad, full head and wide, padded muzzle. Puppies have more wrinkles than adults. Shar-Pei gradually lose their wrinkles as they get older.

Coat

There are three coat varieties: horse-coat and brush-coat and a rare bear-coat, which is not recognized by the AKC. The unusual horse-coat is rough to the touch, extremely prickly and off-standing. The brush-coated variety has longer hair and a smoother feel. Coat colors include all solid colors and sables. There is also a lowered, spotted, and a parti colored Shar-Pei coat.

Height: 18-20 inches (46-51cm.)

Weight: 40-55 pounds (18-25kg.)

Personality

The Shar-Pei is very loyal, playful, active, easy-going, independent, devoted, dominant and brave. They bond with their family, children and other animals if properly socialized. They not unfriendly toward strangers. They make a delightful companion and good watchdogs. Shar-Pei generally hate water and try as hard as they can to avoid it. Puppies grow very quickly and must be fed accordingly. However some Shar-Pei are less dominant then others and show lines tend to be less dog-aggressive. Some Shar-Pei tend to slobber, especially when in pain.

Living Conditions

The Chinese Shar-Pei will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is moderately active indoors and will do okay without a yard. Because of their padded head, the Shar-Pei is very sensitive to heat. Shade and water must always be available. Provided they get enough exercise, they will be very peaceful indoors.

Exercise & Training

The Chinese Shar-Pei has a considerable need for exercise, which includes a daily walk. They shouldn’t be over-exercised in the heat. It is an intelligent dog that does not always follow orders slavishly. The Shar-Pei needs a confident handler. If you are too uncertain, too inconstant, too soft, or too mild in the dog's eyes, it will take over as the boss. Shar-Pei need firm, but gentle and extremely consistent training.

They are stubborn and bold and need firm obedience training to establish your leadership. They may refuse commands from family members who have not established leadership over them. These dogs are very clean and almost housebreak themselves.

Grooming

The Shar-Pei’s coat should be brushed regularly but never trimmed. The "bush" coat sheds a little year round, but the "horse" coat tends to shed only during molting periods. Molting may leave the dog looking unkempt. Bathing about once a week and brushing the coat daily during this period will remove the old dead hair and allow the new coat to grow in. Some owners are allergic to the harsh coat.

Health Issues

Fevers of unknown origin or swollen hocks syndrome may be the early stages of amolydosis (kidney failure). Due to over popularity in the 1980's, some Shar-Pei do have hereditary skin problems. A common problem caused by irresponsible breeding is a painful eye condition, entropion, in which the eyelashes curl inward, irritating the eye. Untreated, it can cause blindness.

Life Expectancy: Up to 10 years.

Breed Club: www.cspca.com

Rescue Link: http://www.cspca.com/rescue.htm