Chinese Shar-Pei: temperament, size, care and health

About the Chinese Shar-Pei

The Chinese Shar-Pei is a compact, square-bodied dog best known for its wrinkles. A broad, padded muzzle, small sunken eyes, tiny triangular ears set close to the head and a blue-black tongue add to its distinctive look. The skin of a puppy hangs in heavy folds over the whole body, and in adults the wrinkles remain mainly over the head, neck and shoulders. The harsh coat is short and bristly, and the name is generally translated as "sand skin."

The breed served as a farm dog, guard and hunter in rural southern China. Today people keep it as a calm, devoted and rather aloof companion that makes an excellent household watchdog.

Temperament and family life

A Shar-Pei is typically dignified, quiet and attached to its own family. It is not an effusive dog and often prefers to stay near its people without demanding attention. With strangers it is reserved and suspicious, and it can be protective of its home and property.

Many have a strong will and a tendency to be dominant with other dogs, particularly those of the same sex, so careful early socialization is essential. Some are poor with small pets. With children, the breed does best with older, respectful ones, since a Shar-Pei does not tolerate teasing and may need to be left alone. It can be well-behaved in the house and is generally clean and easy to housetrain.

Exercise and training

The breed does not need intense exercise. A daily walk, some play and a secure yard are usually enough, and walks should be at a measured pace. It tires and overheats in warm weather because of its wrinkles and facial structure.

Training requires consistency and a calm, fair approach. The Shar-Pei is intelligent but independent and will resist heavy-handed methods. Socialization to many people, places and dogs from a young age is the most important task, since an under-socialized adult may become defensive or aggressive. Experienced owners usually find it easier than first-time owners do.

Grooming and shedding

The coat is easy to keep. Weekly brushing with a rubber curry removes loose hair, and the breed sheds moderately, with heavier shedding twice a year. The harsh hairs can irritate some people's skin.

The wrinkles need regular checking and drying to prevent skin fold infections, and the small ear canals are prone to infection, so ears should be inspected and cleaned. Eyes should be watched for irritation from rolled-in lids. Trim the nails and brush the teeth as part of the routine.

Health

The Shar-Pei has several breed-specific conditions. Recurrent fever syndrome, sometimes called Shar-Pei fever, causes episodes of fever and swollen joints and is linked to amyloidosis, a serious disease in which an abnormal protein builds up in the kidneys and liver. Entropion, in which the eyelid rolls inward, is common and often needs surgery. The skin is prone to infection and allergies, and hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and bloat also occur.

Responsible breeders screen hips, eyes and elbows and avoid extreme wrinkling. This is general information about the Chinese Shar-Pei, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about a particular dog.

History

The breed is thought to come from the southern provinces of China, where it was a general-purpose farm dog, and its loose skin and bristly coat are often said to help it in a fight. By the mid-twentieth century, communist-era policies and economic hardship had left it very scarce. In the early 1970s a Hong Kong breeder appealed to American dog fanciers to save it, and dogs were imported to the United States, where the modern population largely descends. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in the 1990s.

Is the Chinese Shar-Pei right for you?

A Shar-Pei suits an experienced, confident owner who wants a quiet, loyal and clean dog, can socialize it carefully and is prepared for skin, eye and ear care and for higher-than-average veterinary costs.

It is a poor match for those who want a friendly party dog, who have small children or other aggressive dogs, or who are new to dog ownership. Similar reserved, independent breeds include the Chow Chow and the Akita. For a calmer, wrinkly face in a more people-friendly package, some owners consider the Bullmastiff.