CHINESE SHAR-PEI DOG BREED

Description:

The Chinese Shar-Pei (also known as Chinese Fighting Dog) is a quite strong dog, despite his small stature. The most distinctive trait of this breed is its deep wrinkles. The Chinese Shar-Pei is very loyal and devoted to his family. Besides, these dogs are extremely suspicious of strangers. The Chinese Shar-Pei was officially recognized by the American Kannel Club in 1992.

Height: 18-20 inches  Weight: 45-65 pounds  Lifespan: 8-12 years

Characteristics:

This is a smart, calm dog, full of the unmistakable sense of inner dignity. The Chinese Shar-Pei is a very vigilant animal which makes him an excellent watchdog. Shar Pei dog possesses have incredibly strong guard instinct, so they must undergo intense socialization course, starting from very young age. Comparable Breed: Chow Chow.

Character:

Alert and self-confident, the Chinese Shar-Pei can be an excellent companion. However, not for experienced owners. Shar-Pei dogs are quite good with children, but if children are too small, make sure not to leave them alone without supervision, as the Shar-Pei is quite strong. This dog may show some aggression towards other dogs, but this can be fixed by properly conducted socialization.

Coat / Care:

The Chinese Shar-Pei has a rather coarse and straight coat, but no undercoat. While the “bush” coat sheds moderately all year round, the “horse” coat tends to shed only during shedding season. The most common colors for Shar-Peis are black, blue, and red. Although the Chinese Shar-Pei’s coat does not require too much active care, at times is needed to clean your pet with a brush or a rubber glove, in order to remove the excess hair. It is also necessary to carefully monitor the cleanliness of the dog’s ears and countless skin folds. Teeth should be brushed regularly.

Health Problems:

The Chinese Shar-Pei is generally healthy dog breed, but like all breeds, they’re prone to Shar-Pei Fever, Entropion, Glaucoma, Hypothyroidism, Cancer, Elbow Dysplasia, Demodectic Mange, Seborrhea, Pyoderma, Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, Gastric Torsion, Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD) and Cutaneous Mucinosis. The Chinese Shar-Pei has a life expectancy of 8 to 12 years.

Weight / Height

The male Chinese Shar-Pei dog breed’s height is around 18 – 20 inches and weighs around 45 and 60 pounds. Female Shar-Pei dogs can reach a size from 18 – 20 inches and weighs between 45 and 60 pounds.

Training:

The Chinese Shar-Pei can show significant stubbornness and independence, which makes it pretty demanding to train this dog. At the same time, this is an extremely intelligent dog, which seeks to please the master. However, if you really want to achieve with lasting results, you will have to show remarkable persistence.

Activity:

This breed loves spending time with his owner, especially going for a walk. However, due to the wrinkling of the skin, the Chinese Shar-Pei is very easy to overheat, especially in hot weather, so make sure to avoid the extreme heat. This dog cannot be trusted without a leash. If you want your pet to be healthy, it will need to get regular exercise.

Photo Credit: Marilylle Soveran/Flickr; M.Peinado/Flickr