The Courageous Chinese Shar Pei Dog Guide What Is Unusual About This Breed

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Chinese Shar pei photo
Medium Breed Shar-pei Fever Entropion Pyoderma (Skin Infection) Chinese Shar-Pei

Is The Chinese Shar Pei Right For You?

  • 1 The Chinese Shar Pei's unusual coat does not require any special maintenance.
  • 2 The Shar Pei breed have a protective and at times aggressive nature.
  • 3 Due to their bossy personality, they are not a great fit for children.
  • 4 In order to become a family dog, Shar Peis must be trained and disciplined properly.

HISTORY

The Chinese Shar-Pei, thought to be a descendent of the Chow Chow because of their similarly unique tongue coloration, is an ancient breed. Originally used for hunting and guarding livestock, the Shar-Pei are believed to date back as far as the Han Dynasty (200 BCE). At one time the rarest dog in the world (Guinness Book, 1978), they are today one of the most popular companion dogs in America. They were first recognized by the AKC in 1992.

Quick Facts

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    Size

    Medium

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    Lifespan

    7 to 10 years with some living to 12

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    Hair Length

    Short

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    Male Height

    18-20 inches

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    Male Weight

    40-55 pounds

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    Female Height

    18-20 inches

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    Female Weight

    40-55 pounds

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    Litter Size

    4 and 6 puppies

Personality

A very independent, smart, and brave dog, the Shar-Pei does well with one primary owner. They tend to be on edge around strangers, and are not good with kids unless raised in a home with them. However, they are not unfriendly. They tend to be a bit headstrong and will take the role of pack leader for themself if they believe the spot to be vacant. Make sure you raise them with a firm, unwavering hand. .

Color

The Chinese Shar-Pei can come in cream, fawn, red, and black.

Health Concerns

The right kind of food, one that is specifically meant for Shar Pei, may control health issues. The Chinese Shar Pei has a few health issues such as:

Appearance

A medium to large-sized dog, the Shar-Pei are deceptively athletic, mostly because of their wrinkly skin. They have a big, round head with a short, powerful looking muzzle. Their eyes look sunken back into their head and their ears are barely discernible amongst the wrinkly waves running across their head. Their fur is short and somewhat prickly, but not painfully so. They can be found in two varieties: wrinkly all over, or wrinkly just on the head.

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