The Protective Chinese Shar Pei

Dog breed info
Chinese Shar Pei
aka Chinese Fighting Dog
Weight: 45 — 60 lbs
Height: 18” — 20”
AKC Rank 2008 #45
Lifespan: 8—10 yrs
Group Non Sporting
Origin China

• Dog Health, Dog Illness, Medical Problems

Dog Breed Info – Chinese Shar Pei

Breed Overview

Origin: Ancient times. Original function: Dog fighting, hunting, herding, guarding. Today, companion dog. Colors can be any color including sable. The name “Shar Pei” means “sandy coat which refers to the sandpaper feel of the surface of the dog’s skin.

The origin of the Chinese Shar Pei is hard to trace because records were lost during the communist revolution. The Shar Pei had been mostly owned by peasant farmers. They were guard dogs and bore hunters. They were used extensively for dog fighting. Also, during that time many dogs were destroyed which made the Shar Pei almost extinct. A few were rescued and taken to Hong Kong and some to Taiwan where they were bred. The Hong Kong recognized the breed in 1968. There was an appeal in an article in 1973 made to the USA to assist in saving the Shar Pei and some sample dogs were sent over. Work to save the breed was started and the Shar Pei was resurrected. It became quite popular. It is most recognized by it’s sour looking face, intense wrinkles and rough sandpaper-like skin. The Shar Pei drools a lot and shares the same bluish tongue that the Chow Chow has.

No, stubborn and not easy to train. Pick up a CLICKER at a pet shop and try clicker training with the Shar Pei. Positive reinforcement and clickers have worked on every difficult dog I’ve run into so far. Try it.

Crate Training

Want to crate train your Chinese Shar Pei puppy? It’s easy and if you’re interested, take a look and you’ll see what to do. Crate training your puppy will save many headaches and problems.

Potty Training

Some Chinese Shar Pei puppies can be fairly easy to house train, potty train, toilet train, housebreak or whatever you want to call it. If you have a puppy, decide if you want to crate or paper potty train it. For the best results, we have a page at Crate vs Paper Potty Training which will help you decide and from there you can get all the information you need to get the job done. Always praise the pup profusely when she goes potty in the RIGHT PLACE so she knows she has done a good thing. Either method will work for this breed.

If you have an older dog, take the dog outside every two hours until she gets the idea which door leads to her potty area. Older dogs catch on to the potty or housebreaking pretty fast once they are shown what to do.

The Chinese Shar Pei needs to be heavily socialized as a puppy and raised with children, other dogs, cats and people.He can be independent, and stubborn The Shar Pei is reserved and suspicious toward strangers and can be aggressive toward other dogs depending on how he was raised. He can be good with family pets and kids if raised with them. He will be loyal and protective of his family. Essentially, the Chinese Shar Pei is fairly easy-going and not that excitable as long as he is kept at the bottom of the family hierarchy. Never let this dog think he’s pack leader.

If you happen to get a Shar Pei with a separation anxiety problem, that can be dealt with by investing a few hours of work on your part and some “tough love.”

Friendly Toward Other Dogs

No, can become aggressive with other dogs.

Friendly Toward Other Pets

Chinese Shar Pei’s can get along with other dogs and cats especially if it grows up with them.

Friendly Toward Strangers

Moderate—The master needs to introduce the master. This IS a guard dog.

Playfulness

No. The Chinese Shar Pei will protect you and sleep at your feet, but he’s no lap dog!

Yes and no. Depends on how the Chinese Shar Pei was raised as a puppy. Young children, no. Older, well mannered kids, yes, but no boisterous nonsense.

Good with Seniors over 65?

Yes, as long as the senior can walk twice a day. The Shar Pei is not the most affectionate dog but it might work out. Look for a Shar Pei Rescue group for a dog that is a bit older, house trained and settled so the senior doesn’t have to raise a puppy.

Living environment

House with a small fenced yard or farm. Ideal is a house with a doggie door. Divide his time—indoor/outdoor.

Energy level

Moderate. Two walks daily and some outdoor play time works.

Excellent. It’s in the Chinese Shar Pei’s blood.

Excellent. It’s in his blood.

No, the Shar Pei sheds very little.

Clean wrinkles and folds on face often, even daily, as moisture and dirt causes skin infections on the Chinese Shar Pei.

Note – At this time, Amazon.com has only 1 book available for the Shar Pei which we have listed. The book on the right is by the American National Red Cross and deals with dog emergencies, illnesses and injuries. It’s a valuable reference manual for all dog owners and should be kept handy for quick use.

In the event you decide to go looking for Chinese Shar Pei puppies, be SURE to find reputable breeders that really know what they are doing. Be VERY sure the puppy has been well socialized and started in obedience training.
Chinese Shar Pei Breeders with puppies for sale.

Shar Pei Rescue

In the event you are seriously considering the adoption of an adult dog and are looking for a Shar Pei Rescue group or groups in your state, here are several links that might help:
Petfinder – Shar Pei Rescue – (Nationwide) If you don’t find what you want, search online for Shar Pei Rescue groups, foster homes and kennels. If you do adopt one, try to locate dog health records and save for possible future reference.
Adopt A Pet This is an interesting site but try searching for local kennels and see if you have a Shar Pei Rescue place in your area.

Below are the dog Illness / illnesses or medical problems listed for the Chinese Shar Pei by various vets.

This is basically a healthy breed. Don’t let the list below scare you! Your own dog will probably never have ANY of these problems. These are dog illness and medical problems this breed is prone to that have been listed by various veterinarians at different times over the past decade or so and some pertain to puppies and very young dogs that a breeder would deal with.

The information contained herein has been gathered from numerous books by veterinarians and is intended as general information only. Every dog and situation is different. You must see your vet. Our information is for general interest only and not intended to replace the advice provided by your own veterinarian.

Entropion—Eye Problem – Eye irritation caused by the eyelids and lashes rolling inward. The problem is usually inherited and found in young, adult dogs. It can come from an eyelid spasm. Affected eyes will be held partially shut and tear excessively. Both eyes will usually be affected the same. Treatment for the condition requires eye surgery.

Elbow Dysplasia—Dislocated elbow joint. This, as with hip dysplasia, is something the dog is born with. Wear and time in the front legs (elbow joints) cause lameness by the time the dog is roughly a year old. If you have a dog prone to this disease, have an early x-ray to see if surgery to the joints will stave off further damage to the joints. Typically, there has been no cure, but recently doctors have come up with some ideas. 1) Keep the weight of your Chinese Shar Pei down. 2) Use anti-inflammatory medication. 3) Look into injections of stem-cells to help regenerate bone-covering cartilage to cause the bones to line up properly again. (This is new research and some vets may not know about it so ask around.)

Other health problems could occur with your Chinese Shar Pei. If you notice any problems with your dog, take it to the vet immediately. This website is for general information only and is not intended to, in any way, be a medical guide.

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