Shar-Pei: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The shar-pei is an ancient, unique, and once very rare dog breed from China, known for wrinkled skin, a blue-black tongue, and a bristle-like coat, all of which make this dog stand out from the crowd. This breed isn't best for novice dog parents, though. The shar-pei can also be prone to several health conditions.

Learn more about the shar-pei, from their temperament to their care needs.

Breed Overview

GROUP: Non-Sporting

HEIGHT: 18 to 20 inches

WEIGHT: 45 to 60 pounds

COAT: Short and bristly

COAT COLOR: Various solid color shades include black, chocolate, blue, and cream

LIFE SPAN: 8 to 12 years

TEMPERAMENT: Devoted, loving, affectionate, reserved, independent

HYPOALLERGENIC: No

ORIGIN: China

Characteristics of the Shar-Pei

The very intelligent shar-pei dog is independent, aloof, and guarded with people they don’t know. But they can also be a fiercely loyal and protective family companion who loves to snuggle.

They are often wary of other dogs and can have a high prey drive. For these reasons, they do better as the only pet in the household.

The shar-pei breed can vary greatly in appearance. Although the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize two distinct varieties, they are distinguished by some other international kennel clubs.

The older, traditional shape from China is referred to as the "bone-mouth" variety. They are taller, slimmer, and have much fewer wrinkles. The Westernized variety is referred to as the "meat-mouth" and is much stockier, has more wrinkles, and has a wider, fleshier head.

History of the Shar-Pei

The shar-pei has a very ancient history. It is not known quite how far back this goes, but some statues have a strong resemblance to the breed that date back to the time of the Hang Dynasty in China, over 2,000 years ago.

They may have been bred originally for their hunting and fighting prowess, and the wrinkles in their skin and roughness of their coat would have helped prevent their opponents from getting a grip. The name shar-pei is derived from the Cantonese translation of the words "sand skin."

During the communist revolution in China in the mid 20th century, their numbers dwindled so drastically that they almost became extinct. In the 1970s, a Chinese breeder sent an impassioned plea to American dog enthusiasts asking for help to save the breed. As a result of this, a select few dogs were sent over to the States and the breed had a resurgence in popularity.

They were then featured on the cover of LIFE magazine and were involved in many high profile ad campaigns. The demand for shar-peis during the 1970s and 1980s was so great from all of this attention that the breed suffered as a result of unscrupulous overbreeding.

The breed was officially recognized by the AKC in the late 1980s. Since then, while still cherished by enthusiasts, their popularity has waned somewhat and this has been of benefit to the breed in terms of responsible breeding programs being more common.

Shar-Pei Care

Caring for a shar-pei is somewhat simple. This breed does not have the exercise requirements of many other breeds of its size, and is not known for being vocal. The dog is a naturally clean one and often has an aversion to water, so you are unlikely to find your pup enjoying a romp in muddy puddles. The breed is known for a stubborn and willful nature, and patience and commitment will be required to guarantee success when it comes to training.

Exercise

The shar-pei is not known for being a high-energy breed. It would be rare to see them taking part in agility.

Providing they get good daily walks totaling about an hour a day and are kept appropriately enriched in the house, they are often regarded as dogs suited to apartment living.

The shar-pei is also classed as a brachycephalic, or flat-faced, breed. This can mean that they are less tolerant of heat. Great care should be taken when they are exposed to hotter weather and when exercising.

Grooming

The shar-pei grooming regime is relatively straightforward. Their coats do not require much maintenance; usually, just a weekly brush out to remove dead hair. They do shed, but it is not excessive.

If they do need a bath, the biggest concern is ensuring that, if they are particularly wrinkly, you properly dry in between the folds.

They can be prone to skin infections. They may also need their mouth cleaned after eating.

Their very small ears can be prone to developing infections. Make sure that they are cleaned with a high-quality cleanser.

In addition, trim their nails often and keep their teeth clean by brushing them at least several times a week.

Training

A shar-pei must receive appropriate socialization and training from the beginning. This can help ensure they’ll get along with everyone, including other dogs they meet while out and about.  

They are not keen on roughhousing and it is important that training is done using positive reinforcement methods. Trying to force a shar-pei to comply will usually not end well.

Common Health Problems

The shar-pei can be prone to many different health conditions. Many of these are likely attributable to the irresponsible overbreeding that occurred when their popularity exploded in the 1980s.

Making sure that you find a responsible breeder will decrease the risk of developing genetic conditions, but some of the potential problems that you should be aware of include:

• Skin problems: Issues, such as pyoderma (a bacterial skin infection), can occur as a result of the breed's excess skin folds.

• Ear problems: The breed often has a very narrow ear canal and that can lead to yeast and bacterial infections.

• Eye problems: Conditions that affect this breed’s eyes can include entropion (rolling in of the eyelids), glaucoma, and cherry eye.

• Luxating patella: This condition happens when the dog's kneecaps slip out of their grooves and cause walking problems.

• Hip dysplasia: This abnormal development of hip joints may result in the instability and degeneration of the joints.

• Hypothyroidism: A common condition in dogs, this occurs when your dog's thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones.

• Shar-pei fever: This breed-specific condition causes the dog to develop a high fever, swelling of the hock joint, lethargy, and bouts of vomiting and/or diarrhea.

• Gastric torsion/bloat: The condition occurs when the stomach expands with gas, fluid, or food and then rotates in the abdomen, causing a medical emergency.

Diet and Nutrition

As with any dog, it is important to feed them a high-quality, carefully portion-controlled diet and that they always have access to a fresh water source.

Because the shar-pei is more prone to bacterial skin conditions, if you are feeding a wet or raw diet, take care to ensure that any residue is cleaned away from the mouth area after eating.

Because they are also known for being prone to gastric torsion, it may be worth feeding them from a slow feeding bowl if they tend to guzzle their food quickly.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Shar-Pei Dog

Expect to pay a breeder between $1,000 and $2,500 for a champion bloodline puppy.

If you are buying a puppy, it is always important to do your research to ensure you find a reputable and responsible breeder. This is all the more important with a shar-pei, given their potential health and temperament issues. Make sure that you select a registered breeder who keeps both mother and pups in a nurturing home environment, has made appropriate health checks, and hasn't separated pups from their mother before they reach 8 weeks old.

Because this breed is not generally suited to new dog parents, shar-peis can frequently end up in rescue. There are some breed-specific rescues out there, but don't forget to also inquire with your local shelter. Offering a forever home to a rescue dog can be a hugely rewarding experience.

Below are some useful breed and adoption links to begin your search:

• Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America

• North American Shar-Pei Rescue

Shar-Pei Overview

A shar-pei is not the easiest of dogs in terms of potential health problems and trainability, so it is important to consider your lifestyle, experience, and motivations before offering one a home. In addition to needing extra cleaning to keep their skin healthy, they also aren’t suitable for homes with other pets. 

Pros of Shar-Peis

• Low-energy breed suited to apartment living

• Loyal to family, but not needy

• Distinctive look that requires minimal grooming

Cons of Shar-Peis

• Prone to a number of health conditions

• Requires patience when training

• Not very sociable, and reactive towards strange dogs

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More Dog Breeds and Further Research

While the shar-pei is a unique dog, you may also be interested in a similar breed such as the following:

• Chow Chow

• Akita

There’s a whole world of potential dog breeds out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!