SHAR PEI
Breed Group: Natural Dog
For full breed standards, visit UK Kennel Club or American Kennel Club ('Chinese Shar Pei')
Average height: 43 - 51 cms (17 - 20 in)
Average Weight: 20 - 27 kgs (44 - 60 lbs)
Coat Length: Short
Life Span: 8 - 12 years
Colours: All solid colours and sable (white viewed as "unacceptable" by the UK Kennel Club)
HISTORY
Known as an ancient or primitive breed, Shar Peis are believed to be one of the world's first dog breeds. Statues found in China as far back as 200 BC (Han Dynasty) bear a resemblance to the breed we know today, albeit with a less wrinkly appearance. Shar Peis are thought to have originally been used for a number of things including guarding royalty and common homes, protecting livestock, and hunting wildlife. A little later on, they may have been used in fighting rings, with features such as bristly fur, small ears and loose skin helping to protect them against opponents. In fact, the name Shar Pei roughly translates to "sand skin". When larger breeds from the West took over as more effective fighting dogs, Shar Pei numbers dwindled. Communist taxes on dogs during the 1940s in China resulted in the breed almost going extinct. So much so that it was named as the world's rarest breed in The Guinness Book of World Records in the late 60s and 70s. But thanks to Matgo Law from Hong Kong's efforts and a photo of a Shar Pei on the cover of a US magazine in 1979, the breed's numbers began to increase, particularly in the States.
L.E.G.S.
Using the L.E.G.S.® model, our breed descriptions offer insights into typical behavior based on Genetics, Learning, Environment, and Self.
Knowing the sort of 'job' a breed was created for can offer valuable insights into the type of life dogs of that breed would most enjoy. But bear in mind, they are all individuals, treat the following as an indication of breed tendencies – not a prediction.
Shedding
minimal <> considerable
Grooming
minimal <> likely to need professional grooming
Barking
relatively quiet <> very vocal
Predatory behaviour around other pets/livestock
low<>high
Response to strangers
happy to greet everyone <> very wary
Affectionate with family
not at all<>very cuddly
Playful
serious<>very playful
Focus on handler (bond)
independent thinker<>very biddable
Excitable/Impulsive
very calm<>easily aroused
Motivated
laid back<>obsessive
Easy to care for
suitable for inexperienced<>challenging
Exercise needs
minimal<>hours daily
Off-lead exercise needs
happy on lead<>needs plenty of freedom
Enrichment needs
basic<>needs challenges
WHY YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR SHAR PEI
- They'll act like your roommate, rather than your pet
- They are super independent and happy to spend time by themselves
- They will teach you so much about communicating with dogs
WHY THEY MAY BE HARD TO LIVE WITH
- They can be wary of people and dogs they don't know, requiring plenty of adequate and appropriate socialization when young
- They are self-interested, which can make training difficult as it doesn't come naturally to them to want to work with humans
- They can be intolerant of being restrained or handled, so they need gentle and cooperative care for things like vet visits and grooming
YOUR SHAR PEI PUPPY HIGHLIGHTS
YOU MAY NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP WITH:
- Reactivity towards people or dogs
- Learning to be comfortable with being handled
- Resource guarding
- Recall
YOUR RELATIONSHIP SURVIVAL KEY
- Shar Peis have a low tolerance for "rude" behaviour and harsh treatment, so go gently and pay close attention to the signals they're sending.
- They need high-value rewards, the opportunity to explore, and short training sessions to motivate them. They're independent, so work with it, rather than against it.
- Once you have a strong bond, they are loving and affectionate. With strangers, not so much!
UPBRINGING
Socialization is crucial for all dogs, but particularly Shar Peis. As they tend to be aloof and suspicious by nature, gently socializing them with a variety of dogs and people from a young age is key. However, be aware that some may prefer to live more solitary lives and may choose to ignore other dogs or people on walks. Focus on finding out what they love too, so you can reward them effectively during training and build a strong bond. This is usually something more "primitive" such as the chance to roam or sniff to their heart's content. Super high-value food like meat can also work well. Finally, slowly get them used to being handled using cooperative care techniques and make sure early vet and grooming experiences are as positive as possible.
LIFESTYLE
INTERESTS & HOBBIES
They love anything that allows their instinctive side to run free. Scentwork can be a great activity to do together, particularly if in the great outdoors, and you can tap into their prey drive using chase games. But most of all, they like spending time outside getting the chance to just be a dog!
EDUCATION
Independent and intelligent, they can be challenging for some, particularly when it comes to recall and off-lead (which may not be appropriate for some Shar Peis except in secure places). If you push them too hard during training, they will simply walk away. But if they find the training boring, they may also do the same. Focus on building trust and consent using things like cooperative care and giving them plenty of time to get used to the world they're going to live in. Time and patience is crucial with this breed. Lastly, remember that negative experiences can seriously set you back with any training progress so minimize these as much as possible.
