PAW PAL

Chinese Shar-Pei Characteristics

Remember: Dogs are individuals and not all dogs, even those of the same breed, will exhibit all the same qualities.

Care

Personality

Adaptability

Social Life

Exercise Needs

Couch PotatoStar Athlete

Health Issues

Few Known Health IssuesMany Known Health Issues

Grooming Needs

Minimal GroomingExtensive Grooming

Training Needs

Requires Minimal TrainingRequires a Lot of Training

Shedding Level

Sheds a LittleSheds a Lot

Chinese Shar-Pei Appearance

Shar-Peis are a unique dog breed with expressive, sunken eyes and adorably wrinkly skin. This dog may only be average-sized in height and weight, but they carry their compact body with confidence and bravery. The Shar-Pei has sandpapery skin that’s rough to the touch and comes in a variety of solid colors. Like the Chow Chow, Shar-Peis have a blue-black tongue. (They’re distinctive inside and out!) You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more visually striking dog—from their hippopotamus-like muzzle to the curled tail they like to hold high.

Ears:

The Shar-Pei's ears are unusually small and shaped like rounded triangles. They lie flat against the head but are always on alert for unusual sounds.

Eyes:

Their eyes are dark and sink deeply into their wrinkled dog faces. Depending on their coat color, some dogs may have lighter-colored eyes.

Nose:

The Shar-Pei's snout is often referred to as being hippopotamus-shaped. Their nose is large and typically dark-colored. However, some may have a nose the same color as their fur, and a dark cream Shar-Pei's nose might be a lighter shade.

Coat Length:

The Shar-Pei's wrinkled coat feels harsh to the touch and is not typically longer than one inch. A coat that is wavy, soft or longer than an inch is not desirable by AKC standards.

Coat Color:

Shar-Pei coats come in 18 colors, along with seven types of markings. They can be a solid color in blue (which looks gray), black, brown, cream, fawn or red and often have darker shading on areas like their backs or ears. They can also have a dilute coat (which means they don't have any black pigmentation on their nose, nails or fur), such as lilac, or a sable coat (a lacing of black over a lighter base color) in a variety of shades. They may come in other colors like white, but it is not standard.

Tail:

The Shar-Pei has a small, proud tail that is thicker at the base and tapers at the end. Their tail is set high, and they carry it proudly, curling over either side of their back.

Chinese Shar-Pei Temperament

The Chinese Shar-Pei breed is loyal and committed to their family but can be wary around strangers, and they respond better to older children who understand how to play calmly with dogs. Because the Shar-Pei dog was bred for guarding livestock and hunting, they sometimes don’t enjoy sharing their home with cats or other dogs. It’s important to socialize your pup to numerous new people, situations and other animals early in life when they’re puppies to help them be used to guests as they grow up.

How to Care for a Chinese Shar-Pei

Grooming

The Chinese Shar-Pei is low maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs, especially when compared to longer-haired dogs. Brushing them once a week with a rubber curry brush is typically enough. Shar-Peis have three coat types: a short rough coat (called a horse coat), a slightly longer coat that’s softer (called a brush coat) or an even longer-haired coat that’s softer yet (called a bear coat). (Only Shar-Peis with a horse or brush coat can compete in dog shows.) The bear coat may need a little extra brushing every now and then to remove dirt and mats if they’ve been outside. Despite their short fur, they do shed twice a year as the seasons change (spring and fall). The Shar-Pei’s bathing needs are also low maintenance. The Shar-Pei dog breed is a naturally cleaner dog (they take care of a lot of their grooming needs), so they only need a bath about once a month and can sometimes go as long as 12 weeks between baths. When you do bathe your Shar-Pei, make sure their skin folds are completely dry. They can develop infections if their skin gets wet and isn’t properly dried. To keep a Shar-Pei’s nails in shape, use a grinder for just a few minutes every week. Because grinders make noise, your pup may be startled by the sound at first. You can help your Shar-Pei get used to it by slowly introducing them to the tool. This will involve letting them sniff the grinder and touching it to their nails one at a time (with it turned off), being sure to give them a small treat for successful encounters. Then you can move to turning it on so they can hear it, again giving them a treat as a reward. After they become used to the sound, trim one nail per session, slowly working your way up over the course of several days to grinding one paw in a sitting. (Don’t forget the rewards!) After a while, you’ll be able to take care of all their paws in one pass. If your pup resists nail trimming, don’t be afraid to ask your veterinarian or groomer for help. Brush your dog’s teeth daily. Your veterinarian can help teach you how to brush your Shar-Pei’s teeth. Just remember it’s best to start when your dog is a young puppy, so they get used to it faster. Be gently persistent but not forceful. You’ll also want to take your Shar-Pei to the veterinarian for a yearly professional teeth cleaning. Close

Training

Shar-Peis aren’t necessarily easy to train. They’re intelligent dogs, but they can also be strong-willed. They’ll respond best to training if you start when they are puppies and focus on positive reinforcement techniques (using treats, toys and lots of praise as rewards). Use a lot of love and be consistent when training—never forceful. Make sure you spend a lot of time socializing them, even before they are 12 weeks old, so your dog can be well-rounded. Spend time around other people, children and animals while they’re puppies, so they learn to make positive associations with strangers and other pets. Since Shar-Peis can be more cautious around others, you might also want to talk to a certified trainer who uses positive reinforcement techniques. They can advise you on building a solid foundation for a healthy, well-adjusted adult Shar-Pei. Close

Diet

The Shar-Pei dog typically does well on high-quality commercial dog food. However, it’s important to ensure the food is formulated for their particular stage in life, whether a puppy, a young adult dog or a senior. Your veterinarian can help you nail down a feeding chart that can guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog. Shar-Peis don’t have unique nutrition needs, but you’ll want to plan your dog’s meals with training in mind. Include the treats you use in training, since treats mean more calories. Or, set aside part of your Shar-Pei’s daily meals for training treats, then distribute the rest with enrichment items like interactive treat balls or food toys. Shar-Peis are smart and will love the extra mental enrichment. It’s best not to allow your Shar-Pei to graze all day (aka “free feed”); instead, set a schedule for mealtimes. This helps with potty training and giving your dog a routine to anticipate and look forward to. But again, consult with your veterinarian, as they are in the best position to help you pick the right food and diet for your dog based on their individual needs. Close

Exercise

The Shar-Pei dog breed doesn’t require as much exercise as breeds with higher energy levels, such as Border Collies. However, like any dog, they still need some form of exercise every day. About 30 to 60 minutes of walking is just fine for this breed, along with some playtime at home. If you live in an apartment, they’ll be perfectly happy if you take them on several shorter walks each day. Since they love their families and are smart dogs, they’ll enjoy opportunities for mental stimulation through interactive toys and training. Because Shar-Peis were originally bred for herding and hunting, they’d likely enjoy participating in a dog sport like Treibball. Treibball is a competitive sport where dogs herd large exercise balls toward a goal. They also tend to enjoy sports like scent work and agility. Close

Environment

The Shar-Pei’s ideal environment is a home without many people coming and going. While well-socialized Shar-Peis can be trained to behave around young kids and babies or other pets, it’s essential to teach both your dog and any kids or animals around them how to interact gently and respectfully. They can be wary of strangers, so they won’t enjoy a lot of parties. However, experienced pet parents can socialize their Shar-Pei from the time they’re a puppy, so they learn to be more accepting of strangers. They’ll be equally happy in an apartment or a large home with a big backyard, as long as they can get a short amount of brisk exercise every day. This regal, smart dog can be more challenging for first-time pet parents. At the end of the day, they need someone who can provide a relaxing, serene home where their dog will thrive. Close

Chinese Shar-Pei Health

Shar-Peis have a life expectancy of 8 to 12 years. By watching out for the health issues that can affect the Shar-Pei breed, you can help your dog have a full lifespan and a happy life.

Skin Issues: Because of the folds in their skin, Shar-Peis can develop skin infections more easily than non-wrinkly breeds. That’s why it’s so important to make sure their skin dries thoroughly after a bath or any time they’re in water. Pododermatitis refers to infections between the toes. Skin or foot infections may be treated with topical treatments, oral antibiotics or anti-fungals, depending on the cause. This breed can also develop interdigital cysts, which are painful nodules between the toes. Treatments range from topical ointments to surgery, depending on the severity. Shar-Pei Fever

Chinese Shar-Pei History

The Shar-Pei breed originated in China, and, as with many breeds from China, the dog’s history is mysterious. Some say the dog can be traced back to the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago, pointing to figurines from around 200 B.C. that resemble the Shar-Pei. Some say the pups were the dogs of peasants and bred to be hunters or herd and guard livestock. Others say the dogs once guarded Chinese royal families. At one point, the dogs were even used in fighting pits until other dog breeds replaced them.
When the Chinese Communist Party came to power in 1949, it disapproved of families having dogs as pets and slaughtered many breeds, almost leading to the Shar-Pei’s extinction. Guinness World Records even listed them as the rarest dog breed in the world through the mid-1970s. A Shar-Pei breeder in Hong Kong, Matgo Law, was so worried about the rare dog’s future, he pled with the world to save the breed. His plea, along with an article published in “Life Magazine,” helped increase the dog’s popularity in the United States.
The Shar-Pei and the Chow Chow both have blue-black tongues, which might be due to having shared distant ancestors in China. Some Shar-Peis also have a softer, longer bear coat that isn’t considered a standard trait. Some believe this is a result of past breeding with Chow Chows. The American Kennel Club first recognized the Chinese Shar-Pei in 1992.
Are you looking to add a Shar-Pei puppy as a pet? You can find a list of reputable breeders on the American Kennel Club’s website. What’s the average Shar-Pei puppy price? Depending on the breeder, the cost can be anywhere from $1,000 to even more than $3,000. But for that price, you’re likely getting a puppy who’s been screened for health and temperament issues and may include pedigree papers. Shar-Pei rescue organizations and local shelters can also help you find Shar-Pei dogs to adopt.

FAQs

Are Shar-Pei dogs hypoallergenic?

Shar-Peis are not hypoallergenic. In fact, they can actually trigger more allergy symptoms, compared to some other dog breeds. The name “Shar-Pei” translates to “sand skin” because of how their coat feels. Their coat is so unique that some people are allergic to them and can develop rashes. Shar-Peis also tend to produce more oil than other dogs, which can be difficult for someone allergic to dog oils or the protein in their skin cells.

How big do Shar-Peis get?

Shar-Pei dogs can get as big as 18 to 20 inches and weigh 45 to 60 pounds and are considered medium-sized dogs.

How long do Shar-Peis live?

Shar-Peis typically have a life span of eight to 12 years, which is a long time to create many happy moments with this pup.

What were Shar-Peis bred for?

Shar-Peis are believed to have been bred for hunting, herding and protecting livestock. Some people believe they even once guarded royalty! Unfortunately, they were also once used as fighting dogs, but now they are primarily companions, and they thrive with the families they love.

What are the most common Shar-Pei mixes?

The most common Shar-Pei mixes are:

shar pei

Temperament

Weight

Height

Life Expectancy

Maintenance Level

Friendliness

Coat Color