Chinese Shar-Pei

A Chinese Shar-Pei (Shar-PAY), with its black tongue and hippopotamus-like appearance, is a great conversation starter. It's not unusual for members of the breed to vary considerably from each other. Some are good with children, others are not. Many are good around non-canine pets but some are not. Most but not all will challenge strange dogs. There are several things a Shar-Pei owner can count on. First, they are a vocal breed. This trait, when combined with their aloofness with strangers results in a top-notch watchdog. Although not demonstrative with affection, they are devoted to their family. This results in a good guard dog as well. Although not a playful breed, they still need a reasonable amount of exercise. If you don't make sure they get it, you will likely have a dog that has problems with their weight. But if allowed to run, you may find he has killed the neighbor's cat and, although not in the Herding Group, they have also been known to run deer and molest livestock. Fortunately, they are adaptable. They are happy to either lounge next to their owner on the sofa or go for a hike. Although their tendencies can be tempered with socialization and training, they tend to be independent. Finally, they are likely to challenge each family member for dominance, filling in any leadership gap they find.

Typical height for this average size dog breed is 18-20 inches at the withers, with a weight of between 45 and 60 pounds. There are two accepted coat types – the horse-coat and the brush-coat. Horse-coats feel rough and prickly and are known to cause itching in people with sensitive skin. The brush-coat is smoother with longer hair. Coat colors include all solid colors and sables. Their coat is easy to care for with only routine brushing needed two to three times a week, but shedding is still apt to be at least a little more than an average dog. There are three other grooming tasks that need regular attention with a Shar-Pei. First, their ears need frequent cleaning. Second, their toenails grow quickly, especially the nails on their front feet; keeping them clipped is a never-ending job. Finally, the folds of there skin should be kept clean to prevent infections. They do reasonably well in cold weather, less well in heat. Two final physical characteristics worth mentioning are first, similar to the Chow Chow, the Chinese Shar-Pei has a black tongue. Second puppies have many more wrinkles than the adults on whom the wrinkles are limited to their head, neck, and front legs.

The Chinese Shar-Pei must be well socialized. In spite of being quite intelligent, they are not easy to train. They can be stubborn and bold; a firm, but gentle, consistent training regime is needed for the owner to establish leadership. The breed is notorious for refusing commands from anyone who has not established control over them. They are an especially clean breed, with little effort need to housebreak them. With their subdued inside activity level, they make a reasonable candidate for apartment living. But with their dominance seeking nature, they are not for an owner who is inexperienced with dogs.