Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Chinese Shar Pei: Pictures, Care, Traits & More

Written by: Ashley Bates

Last Updated on February 28, 2024 by Dogster Team

Chinese Shar Pei

Chinese Shar Pei: Pictures, Care, Traits & More

The Shar Pei is an ancient Chinese breed. It is incredibly distinctive due to its bountiful wrinkles and chubby mouth. But don’t be swayed by the adorable looks of the Shar Pei, this dog means business! It’s certainly not for the weak of heart and will require a firm hand and consistent training.

With proper socialization, these dogs can make amazing additions to many different lifestyles. In this article, we aim to get to know the Shar Pei better, so you can decide if this dog would integrate well into your life.

Breed Overview

Height:

17–21 inches

Weight:

35–60 pounds

Lifespan:

9–11 years

Colors:

Black, fawn, lilac, cream, sand, red

Suitable for:

Experienced owners, possibly a single-pet home

Temperament:

Protective, assertive, loyal

The Shar Pei is an impressive specimen—strong-bodied, curly-tailed, and wrinkle-covered. They can turn heads with their charm but keep your hands back! These dogs are not highly social and might not love being petted at first meeting.

It is important to understand the benefits and complications of the breed.

Shar-Pei Characteristics

Energy
+
High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
+
Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
+
Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
+
Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
+
Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

dogster face divider

Shar Pei Puppies

Chinese Shar pei puppy portrait at garden
Image Credit: Waldemar Dabrowski, Shutterstock

Shar Pei puppies might be the cutest things you’ve ever seen. They have extremely soft, fluffy fur and very movable wrinkles when they are very small. You will certainly get a lot of compliments on your little pup’s unique looks.

When selecting a Shar Pei puppy, it is incredibly important to select a reputable breeder. Because the Shar Pei tends to show aggression or territorial nature, you should always select a breeder with a history of successful, healthy litters with sound temperaments.

The Shar Pei puppy will be very active, curious, and ready to explore new things. They will be very active and on the go, making them a good candidate for people with moderately active lifestyles.

These dogs are very sharp and intelligent, so you shouldn’t have a lot of issues with potty training and basic commands.

dogster paw dividerTemperament & Intelligence of the Shar Pei

The Shar Pei is an immensely intelligent animal. They are hyper-aware of their surroundings and make exquisite guard dogs. They take guarding the home very seriously and often require exposure to new situations and extreme socialization to become adaptable to new faces.

Because of their intelligence and loyalty, They are often easy to train. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how intensely you train the dog, they might still exhibit aggression toward strangers and other animals.

Before getting a Shar Pei, it is important to understand the risks so you can accommodate the dog accordingly. Suppose you get a Shar Pei thinking it’s going to be friendly with everyone and everything. In that case, the expectation is simply not realistic, and you would work best with another type of breed with a history of being more people-friendly.

Young male purebred brown color Shar Pei
Image Credit: Marcelino Pozo Ruiz, Shutterstock

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

The Shar Pei integrates into a pack mentality very easily. If they are raised alongside children and other family members, they will likely always think of these family members as their own and exhibit no aggression toward them whatsoever.

A Shar Pei can be extremely protective over those they love and might mistake play and other innocent behavior for a threat. They must learn the distinction early on so that they can protect their family without judging certain situations poorly.

If the Shar Pei is properly trained, you can navigate through their potential socialization problems. If you put the right energy in, you will likely have a well-rounded dog capable of listening to commands and getting along with company.

We want to stress that this doesn’t come without work. It is very rare that you would find a Shar Pei that would acclimate into a family with no type of training or socialization. Often, these dogs are on lists banned from apartment complexes, so always check with your landlord before bringing one home.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?🐶 😽

Shar Peis can sometimes be aggressive or territorial with other dogs. Typically, this can happen with the same sex as there are power dynamics involved. When it comes to cats and other smaller pets, this can be a real gamble.

A Shar Pei will likely show affection towards a dog or cat that they were raised with, but outsiders might not receive the same mercy. It is important to take your Shar Pei on walks to expose them to a variety of different animals and situations to desensitize their desire to protect.

Some Shar Peis are never compatible with smaller pets, and any cage animals or smaller livestock should be heavily guarded and never unsupervised.

Shar Pei puppy stands on the lawn and looks out for something
Image Credit: Kozub Vasyl, Shutterstock

dogster paw dividerThings to Know When Owning a Shar-Pei

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Shar Peis can be a little sensitive when it comes to their skin. Often, these dogs can have food-related allergies that can cause skin issues, particularly buildup in the skin folds. Because yeast and ear infections can be a little common, it’s always best to buy dog food that isn’t irritating or doesn’t exacerbate allergies.

Try to steer clear of meals that contain a lot of preservatives, artificial ingredients, and other chemical compounds. Instead, buy a high-quality, protein-rich diet that will nourish their growing body and is appropriate for their life stage.

As puppies, they will need a high-quality puppy chow with DHA and even glucosamine or chondroitin to keep up with their muscle and bone growth. As they enter their adult years, you can get them a decent maintenance diet that will help them manage their weight and overall energy levels.

While dry kibble and wet canned food are still viable for animals, many people are turning to fresh food. These diets tend to be more species-specific.

Head of Shar Pei brown adult Chinese purebred dog standing
Image Credit: Cavan-Images, Shutterstock

Exercise 🐕

Shar Peis require a moderate to high amount of exercise. They are known to be pretty calm and loving when they have some downtime. When they are feeling peppy, they can be hyper and have the desire to run long and far. If you have a Shar Pei, having a large fenced-in, secure area is best.

Since Shar Peis only require moderate exercise, you can expect to go on two brisk walks a day. Most adult Shar Peis require no more than 60 minutes of solid exercise per day. You can break that up how you see fit and engage in your dog’s favorite activities.

Training 🎾

Shar Peis require intensive training early on. They can be extremely headstrong and even aggressive when they are adults. Early intervention is necessary, and often professional training is advised.

These dogs can make amazing companions to their families as they are loyal and affectionate. However, they tend to dislike strangers and could even bite or lash out at people they don’t know. For this reason, it’s best to command train them, so you can call them off if needed, depending on the circumstance.

Shar Peis are very receptive to training. If you don’t feel up to the challenge of training them yourselves, they make excellent candidates for professional training. You can get recommendations around your area and choose a facility or private trainer to fulfill your needs.

Chinese Shar Pei dog running
Image Credit: Charlotte Lehman, Shutterstock

Grooming ✂️

A Shar Pei is certainly not the kind of dog you can skip out on grooming. They need routine baths every 4 to 6 weeks and you need to get deep in those crevices and wrinkles! Even in between baths, you need to wipe down their creases. They have a copious amount of skin flaps, which can be a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Regularly cleaning these flaps to prevent debris from building up inside these pockets can help keep your Shar Pei healthy.

Thankfully, their coats don’t require a ton of brushing, though they shed year-round. So, be prepared to clean up puppy fur on your furniture. When you give your pup a bath, you can follow up with nail clipping and ear cleaning to keep things pristine!

If you’re working on training your Shar Pei, you might take them to the groomer once every 4 to 6 weeks. This will provide them with out-of-the-house socialization and get them used to being pampered.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Vet care is a natural part of owning a dog. Dogs need to see their vet the same way you go to doctor checkups. In the first year, they will need parasite prevention, deworming, spaying and neutering surgery, and microchipping.

The Shar Pei is moderately healthy, but there are several health conditions to be aware of.

Minor Conditions
  • Skin fold disease
  • Pododermatitis
Serious Conditions
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Familial Shar Pei Fever

Male vs Female

The male Shar Pei is typically larger and blockier than their female counterparts. The female is reasonably smaller, weighing less by approximately 10 pounds.

Both reach sexual maturity around the age of 6 months. Most veterinarians will recommend that you get your Shar Pei fixed around this time. Once they reach sexual maturity, they may start to exhibit same-sex aggression or territorial behaviors.

Females might be a bit more prone to same-sex dog aggression. If it happens, it’s often an issue that has no easy fix. Keep this in mind when you are considering a breed if you have existing dogs.

dogster paw divider

3 Little-Known Facts About the Shar-Pei

1. The adorable wrinkles serve a purpose.

Since Shar Peis were bred for fighting, their wrinkles actually serve a very important purpose. The wrinkles prevent another dog from taking hold of their sensitive areas, keeping all of the vital organs protected.


2. In 1973, there were only eight Shar Peis in the USA.

Shar Pei numbers have certainly multiplied over the years. Just in 1973, there were only eight. There are over 70,000 today!


3. Shar Peis have blue tongues.

The Shar Pei, much like the famous Chow Chow, have blue and black markings on their tongue. It is very characteristic of the breed and can tell you more about a mixed breed lineage if you see a lack of this trait.

House dog Shar Pei red color
Image Credit: Alika Obraz, Shutterstock

dogster face divider

Final Thoughts

The Shar Pei is certainly one of a kind. They have unmatched loyalty, unwavering affection, and utmost protectiveness. These dogs work best with experienced owners, as they are quite headstrong and need early socialization.

So, if you opt for the breed, make sure to learn all you can beforehand. Also, if you’re not opposed, remember there are Shar Peis in shelters that would love a chance at a furever family. Check locally first!

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Marcelino Pozo Ruiz, Shutterstock

Get Dogster in your inbox!

Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.
Dogster Editors Choice Badge
Shopping Cart

Pangolia

© Pangolia Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.