A hybrid between the Shar Pei and the Chow Chow, the Chow Pei is an independent and loyal dog that tends to exhibit many of the best qualities of its parent breeds, both of which hail from China. They make excellent companion dogs, especially for singles and experienced dog owners.

Breed Overview

In this article, we will discuss the ins and outs of owning a Chow Pei, including temperament, diet and exercise requirements, and common health problems. Keep reading to learn more about whether the Chow Pei is a good fit for you and your family!

Chow Pei Characteristics

Chow Pei Puppies

If you’re interested in buying a Chow Pei puppy from a breeder, you can expect to shell out a good amount of money due to their rarity. When looking for a breeder, be sure to do your research. Puppy mills, so-called “backyard breeders,” and even many pet stores prioritize profit over the health and well-being of their animals. Because the Chow Pei is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, it is especially important to ask your breeder about the health history of your dog and its parents. A good breeder will let you tour their breeding facilities so that you can see for yourself how the dogs live in their care.

These pups will thrive in homes with more experienced dog owners. They can be stubborn so prepare for that. Training will be easy though as long as you put in the time they need.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Chow Pei

This is a smart and affectionate hybrid with fairly high intelligence. They aren’t the best with kids (more below) and they can come across as a bit aloof at times. Plus, they suffer from severe wanderlust, so be sure to keep them on a leash. But with the proper socialization, these dogs will make great pets for your home.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

If you have small children, the Chow Pei is probably not the dog for you. They can be temperamental animals, which is a quality that will not mix well with children who cannot understand boundaries. If your children are older, they will probably do just fine with your Chow Pei.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Unfortunately, the Chow Pei does not tend to be a great fit for households with other pets. Its ancestors, the Chow Chow and the Shar Pei were specifically bred as guard dogs and fighting dogs. If you introduce your Chow Pei to your other pets as a puppy, there is a better chance that they will get along.

Things to Know When Owning a Chow Pei:

Food & Diet Requirements

Buy your Chow Pei a high-quality food that is formulated for medium-sized dogs. The exact amount of food you give your dog will depend on its activity level, age, and ideal weight, but you can use charts such as this one to figure out approximately how much food it needs. Most Chow Peis will need between 2¼ and 3 cups of food each day, split up into at least two different meals. Since these pups are prone to obesity, they should not be allowed to free eat. If you have specific questions about what and how much to feed your dog, talk to your veterinarian.

Exercise

For a medium-sized dog, the Chow Pei is relatively active. It will enjoy going to the dog park and playing with you outside in your yard in addition to its regular walks. When you take your Chow Pei out for a walk, remember that its ancestor the Shar Pei is a hunting dog. The Chow Pei, like its parent breed, is the type of dog that will wander off in pursuit of a scent. As a result, you should avoid taking your Chow Pei off its leash unless you are in a fenced-in area like a yard or a dog park. Your neighbors will thank you, too; keeping your dog on the leash will help prevent any scuffles with the neighborhood dogs.

Training

Though charming and loyal, the Chow Pei can also be quite independent and stubborn. This makes these dogs a challenge to train at times. If you are a new dog owner or lack experience training animals, you may want to consider bringing your Chow Pei to a dog obedience school. Not only will it learn to house train and walk on a leash, but it will have an opportunity to socialize with other dogs.

Grooming ✂️

The level of grooming you will need to do for your Chow Pei depends on how much fur it has. While the Shar Pei has a fairly short and low-shedding coat, the Chow Chow’s coat is long and thick and requires a lot of grooming. If your dog’s coat is fairly short, like the Shar Pei, you can plan to brush it about once per week. If the coat is longer, plan to brush it at least three times per week.

In terms of bathing, don’t bathe your dog more often than needed. Doing so could deplete its coat of oils that keep it looking healthy. When you do give your Chow Pei a bath, pay close attention to its skin, especially if it has lots of skin folds like the Shar Pei. If you aren’t careful, it can develop a yeast infection within its folds.

Health and Conditions

The Chow Pei is a relatively healthy dog, but like any animal, it is prone to certain health conditions. To understand which health problems the Chow Pei is most susceptible to, you should look to common health problems in its parent breeds, the Chow Chow and the Shar Pei. Below, we have listed serious and minor health conditions you need to be aware of.

Male vs Female

Like humans, individual dogs have individual personalities. As a result, you should never make an assumption about a dog’s personality based entirely on its sex. That being said, dog owners have noted some behavioral and physical differences between males and females that you may want to consider when deciding which dog is right for you.

Physically speaking, a male Chow Pei is likely to be larger than a female. Given that these dogs don’t tend to get much heavier than 60 pounds, that difference in size alone may not mean much to you. Then again, the difference between a 40-pound dog and a 60-pound dog is significant.

In terms of behavior, some dog owners will say that males are friendlier and more stable than female dogs. However, males can sometimes be more aggressive than females, especially toward other dogs. Both the Shar Pei and the Chow Chow are known for their aggression toward strangers and other dogs, so it’s very likely that your male Chow Pei will not take kindly to other canines in his territory. Some behavioral differences between males and females are sexual in nature. Spaying or neutering your dog will help eliminate unwanted sexual behaviors.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Chow Pei

1. There is no single Chow Pei look.

Unlike purebred breeds and some other designer breeds, the Chow Pei’s appearance varies quite a lot from dog to dog. This is because the Chow Chow and Shar Pei have very distinct physical features, such as the Shar Pei’s wrinkled skin and the Chow Chow’s fluffy fur coat. The physical characteristics of your Chow Pei depend on which particular combination of attributes your pup inherits from its parents.

2. The Chow Pei makes for a very good guard dog.

The Shar Pei is well known as a protective guard dog, while the Chow Chow is a skilled hunter. Both breeds are exceedingly loyal to their families but tend to be cautious around strangers. As a result, the Chow Pei will be an excellent guard dog for you and your family despite its relatively small size.

3. This designer breed is recognized all over the world.

While you won’t see the Chow Pei gain recognition from the American Kennel Club, it is recognized by at least two other registries—the International Designer Canine Registry and the Designer Breed Registry.

Conclusion

The Chow Pei is a loyal and intelligent dog, but it isn’t for everyone. If you have other pets or small children, you may want to consider a different breed. In addition, the Chow Pei may not be a good fit for you if you are a beginner or someone who is not accustomed to dealing with stubborn dogs. However, if you are looking for a companion that will do anything to protect you, the Chow Pei could be the dog for you.

See also:

• Samoyed vs. Husky: The Differences (With Pictures)
• Samoyed vs American Eskimo: The Differences (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Alexeysun, Shutterstock