Golden Pei (Golden Retriever & Shar Pei Mix): Info, Pictures, Care & More

If you’re looking for a protective, family-oriented dog that will be your most trusted friend, the Golden Pei may be the right breed for you. This is a somewhat rare designer dog breed that was developed by crossing the lovable Golden Retriever with the devoted Chinese Shar Pei. This medium to large-sized dog has a low-maintenance coat and needs a moderate amount of exercise to keep it happy.

Breed Overview

A Golden Pei is a dog with a strong will which means you’ll have to do some training to teach this dog how to properly behave. When this dog is socialized well from a young age, it typically grows into a good-natured adult dog that gets along well with people and even other pets. But since this dog has Shar Pei in its background, it can quickly react if someone does something it doesn’t like such as yank its tail or tries to remove its food dish mid-meal. For this reason, a Golden Pei is not the best dog for families with small kids.

Golden Pei Characteristics

Golden Pei Puppies

Before you rush out and buy a Golden Pei puppy, you should know a few things about this breed. Because this dog comes from the large Golden Retriever and the mid-sized Shar Pei, a Golden Pei puppy can grow into a large dog or one that’s medium-sized. That’s why you should ask the breeder or seller you use questions about the size of each parent so you’ll have an idea about how big your dog will be. You should also check into the temperament of the parents as Golden Retrievers are more even-tempered than Shar Peis.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Golden Pei

For the most part, Golden Peis inherit more of the Golden Retriever temperament as being good-natured. These dogs are smart, loyal, protective, and friendly. While Golden Peis are not aggressive dogs, they can be quirky if they inherit much of the Shar Pei’s personality which can include them being stubborn and strong-willed.

A Golden Pei should be socialized and trained from a young age. While this is not an overly energetic dog, they do need a good dose of daily exercise which should include walks and playtime in the yard. A Golden Pei is a dog that is more than willing to snuggle up on the couch beside you while looking lovingly into your eyes.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

While Golden Peis are family-oriented dogs, this is not the best breed for families with small kids. While a Golden Pei won’t typically attack a small child for no reason, this dog can react if it’s caught off guard. For instance, if a toddler were to suddenly run up to a Golden Pei and yank its tail, the dog could react with a nip.

Golden Peis are protective dogs that will alert their owners if someone approaches the home. If you have older kids at home and want a loving and protective dog, a Golden Pei could be just the dog for you!

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

This good-natured dog can get along well with other dogs, cats, and even small animals if it’s introduced to them the right way. The Golden Retriever side of this breed is very friendly and adaptable. It’s not unusual for a Golden Pei to become best friends with another dog or even the family cat!  If you have a pet bird, rabbit, gerbil, or another type of small animal, introduce it to your Golden Pei with care.

Things to Know When Owning a Golden Pei:

Remember that your Golden Pei will depend on you to provide it with all the loving care he needs to live a long, healthy, and happy life. We’ve included some important information below you should know before you bring your new dog home.

Food & Diet Requirements

A Golden Pei may not be the most energetic dog in the world, but it still needs to be fed three good meals a day. You should choose a high-quality dog food that’s packed with all the nutrients dogs need to maintain good health. This medium to large-sized dog needs about 3 cups of dog food each day to keep it healthy and happy.

If you get a Golden Pei puppy, feed it puppy dog food three times a day. It’s best to feed your puppy at the same time each day so it gets used to a feeding routine. Pick up any food your pup doesn’t eat and be sure to leave water down so your puppy stays hydrated. Golden Pei puppies are playful and need lots of fresh water!

Exercise

Even though a Golden Pei is not highly energetic, it still needs plenty of exercise each day. Plan on taking your dog for a couple of long walks every day. If possible, allow your Golden Pei to run free in the yard or at the local dog park to burn off excess energy. During the summer months when the temperatures soar, exercise your dog in shaded areas or after the sun sets in the evening so it doesn’t suffer from heatstroke.

Training

Like with all dog breeds, the earlier you start training a Golden Pei, the better. This breed can be stubborn and strong-willed so be patient but firm. Make sure your dog knows that you’re the boss but do so in a loving and gentle way. Golden Peis are not difficult dogs to train as they love pleasing their owners. They also love praise and respond well to treat-based training.

Grooming ✂️

Most Golden Peis have a medium-length coat of fur that may be stiff like the Shar Pei’s or soft like the Golden Retriever. Regardless if your dog has soft or stiff hair, it needs to be brushed regularly to remove loose hairs and to stimulate the skin underneath the coat. Use a dog brush with medium-stiff bristles once every couple of days and give your Golden Pei a thorough brushing. This dog does not need to be bathed unless it gets very dirty. When you do give your Golden Pei a bath, use a gentle dog shampoo.

You should clip your Golden Pei’s nails about once a month to prevent them from breaking off. Use a pair of dog clippers and be careful! If you’re not comfortable cutting your dog’s nails, find a groomer to do it or talk to your vet.

To keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy and in good shape, get in the habit of brushing his teeth every couple of days. Use a dog toothbrush with a long handle that will reach all the teeth, including the back molars. This dog also needs to have its ears cleaned about once a month. Use a washcloth with a little soap and water or a moistened cotton ball to clean the outer portions of the inner ears.

Health and Conditions

Like other dog breeds, Golden Peis can develop some common diseases and health issues. Some of the most common serious and non-serious health issues Golden Peis face include the following.

Male vs Female

Male Golden Peis tend to be larger than their female counterparts and can tip the scales at around 60 pounds. Other than size, there is not a big difference between a male and female Golden Pei dog. One consideration is the cost of getting your dog spayed or neutered. These fees for female dogs are higher than the fees charged for males, simply because the spay procedure for females is more complicated.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Golden Pei

1. The Shar Pei’s Wrinkles Are Like Body Armor

During ancient times, the Chinese bred the Shar Pei as a guard dog to protect the royal family’s palace. This dog’s signature wrinkly skin was used to protect him when fighting other dogs. If a dog got ahold of the Shar Pei’s skin, the Shar Pei could still escape without receiving any injuries to his vital organs.

2. The Golden Retriever Has Consistently Been One of America’s Favorite Breeds

Known for its loyal and loving nature, the friendly Golden Retriever has always been one of the most popular dogs in the USA. People love this breed for its social nature, its love of people, and how loyal and easily trainable it is.

3. Shar Peis Nearly Went Extinct

During the 1940s when China became a communist country, the government imposed a big tax on all dogs which nearly made the Shar Pei extinct. Thankfully, this breed was saved as it became popular outside of China during the 1960s and 1970s wherein many people wanted this unusual-looking dog breed.

Conclusion

The Golden Pei is a noble, intelligent, and loyal dog with striking good looks. This dog is best suited for individuals or families without small kids. When you decide to welcome a Golden Pei into your life, you’ll have a friendly and reliable companion that will bring you much joy! This dog loves to snuggle up on the couch next to its owner as much as it enjoys being out walking around town! Whether you decide to get a Golden Pei puppy or an adult, be sure you devote plenty of time to training and exercising so your dog is well-balanced, healthy, and happy!

See Also:

• Shar Pei Lab Mix: Care, Pictures, Info & More
• Akita Golden Retriever Mixed Dog Breed: Care, Pictures, Info & More