The clumsy, funny, clumsy Shar Pei has a heart full of love for the family in which he lives, the makings of a psychologist and nanny, and in dangerous situations he will become a fearless defender.

Cute, unique, numerous folds of skin, varied coat colors and character traits make this dog one of the most popular in the world.

How long do Shar Peis live?

The average lifespan of a purebred Shar Pei is 10 years.

The life expectancy of a Shar Pei living at home is influenced by the following factors:

• Heredity.
• Dimensions. The larger the animal, the more energy the body expends to maintain its vital functions.
• Compliance by owners with the rules of keeping a dog.
• Regularity of sexual activity and number of births for females.

Coat types

Shar Peis have fur that resembles velor, so they are somewhat similar to a plush toy.

Depending on the size of the hairs, dogs of this breed are classified according to their hair type as follows:

Horse hairs up to 1 cm in size. The peculiarity of this type: with increasing age and growth of the puppy, the number of folds decreases.

Brush - hairs up to 2.5 cm long. Decreasing along the length of the body, the folds remain on the muzzle and in the neck area.

Bear hair - hair length more than 3 cm. These individuals do not take part in official exhibitions, due to the fact that bear hair is one of the factors that rejects a dog from a purebred.

Métis

To obtain mixed breeds, two different breeds of dogs are crossed. Shar Peis have many similar crosses.

Most mestizos are born very smart and easy to train.

Labrador mix

This kind of crossing is at the beginning of the journey and is quite rare. Externally, the dog resembles a Labrador, only with folds. Especially on the face. The color will be solid, the color may be different. The size turns out to be something average. Less Labrador, but more Shar Pei.

This mixed breed is resistant to genetic diseases. By nature, he is more likely to be a companion who gives love than a guard.

With a shepherd

This is a more popular crossbreed. With its body structure, short hair, and wide muzzle, the dog resembles a Chinese ancestor. Height is about fifty-two centimeters. But the color, like that of a shepherd, has a zonal pattern. Also, a shepherd dog can cause damage to its sickle-shaped tail and erect ears.

The dog is very smart and easy to train. But she is quite willful, so she needs a trainer with a strong character.

Most often, the Shar Pei is crossed with the German Shepherd.

Caucasian, Central Asian and Eastern European breeds are not in great demand due to possible genetic problems.

With a pit bull

It is impossible to say for sure which parent the puppy will resemble. Genes are unpredictable. A mixed breed can grow tall, with a pitbull face, or vice versa, shorter than a Shar Pei. The coat color is varied: black, brindle, sand. But most dogs have a black mask on their face.

Their body is muscular and may have folds.

From an early age, such mestizos have a wayward character and will listen to few people.

To prevent them from showing aggression, they need a strict person who will educate them.

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With Stafford

This type of crossing is not very common due to genes. In childhood, the mixed breed looks like a Shar Pei due to the presence of folds. As an adult, he becomes similar to the Staffordshire Terrier. The height is about fifty centimeters, like the Shar Pei. Weight about 30 kg. In this way he is like a second parent.

The character is quite problematic, because at the beginning the animal will be affectionate and friendly, and then will begin to show aggression

. An experienced dog handler can help deal with this problem.

With a mongrel

It is impossible to predict what a mongrel cross will look like.

In most cases, dogs grow to be medium in size with large muzzles. There will be folds. The color can be varied, for example, sand color. The coat is short and smooth.

Character is friendly and playful. Such dogs are smart, quick-witted, and calm. They are very loyal to their owner and quickly learn the rules of behavior.

Shar Pei is a breed that is in demand. They are calm and intelligent. There are several varieties from which you can choose a puppy to suit your taste. But in the absence of such opportunities, you can always take a mestizo. They are no worse than purebred dogs if they are given enough attention and raised correctly.

Shar Pei color

In 2005, the Russian Canine Federation approved a register of Shar Pei colors that meet the standards.

The color of the Shar Pei, according to the adopted document, must have the following distinctive features:

• wool is one color. Spots are allowed in white Shar-Peis;
• hind legs are half a tone lighter than the main color;
• the dog's muzzle is slightly darkened;
• A dark stripe in the form of a ribbon is allowed on the back.

It is impossible to describe the entire amazing palette of colors that Shar Peis have. But it is conditionally divided into three parts:

• Main color
• Diluted color
• Unusual color (otherwise called marriage)

The dominant color in the first group is black. Moreover, natural blackness in animals is quite a rare phenomenon. As the puppy grows up, it changes color and instead of black, its coat acquires a brown, brown or olive tint.

The first group includes dogs with the following color scheme:

Cream. Dogs of this color have weak pigmentation; the back, eyes, ears and tail are darker than the main color.

Deer. The oldest color of an animal. A distinctive feature of the wool is a golden shine that shimmers in bright light. As the individual grows older, the color changes to darker.

Red deer. A variety of deer color. Unlike golden fawn, red fawn puppies have dark red or faint light red undertones in their fur.

Isabella. A puppy of this color will win the heart of the owner forever, being the offspring of red and blue specimens, he has a pinkish-cream coat without red pigment with a sky-blue tone.

Red. The most popular tone among breeders. Its varieties are red, red and mahogany tones.

The Blue Shar Pei has an aristocratic appearance. Blue color is a combined concept that includes animal smoky, gray and slate shades.

Sable. At first glance, an animal of this color seems to be sprinkled with grayish pollen, and the spraying was more intense in the areas of the back, tail and muzzle. Taking a closer look, you can see that each hair consists of three parts - light at the bottom, then red, and dark at the tip. The sable color differs from other colors in the presence of zones.

In dilute-colored animals, the black color is completely absent. The group's palette is represented by the following colors:

Cream (creamy shade). Unlike its counterpart from the first group, the cream dilut does not have a dark color on the back and ears, and there is no mask on the face. Their tongue color is lavender and their nose is pink.

Apricot. The color of the fur is golden-red. The play of color from the dark back to the light belly is touching. The pet can be one color. The nose is usually chocolate color.

Red. Dogs of this color have a mask on their muzzle, nose and pads that have a delicate chocolate tint. Regardless of the age of the dog, the color of the dog’s body is uniform.

Chocolate. You can match the animal to the color of your favorite delicacy, due to the fact that the color tone varies from milky to dark. The chocolate dog's tongue is light lilac. If an individual has a blue tongue and a dark color, it is not a chocolate dilute, but a representative of the first group.

Lilac. The dogs are a rare color and have a bluish coating on their faces. Coat color can be chocolate pink, silver pink or dark purple.

Isabella. The rarest color of the Shar Pei, according to the standard a mask is allowed on the face. A characteristic feature of dogs of this shade is the absence of darkening on the back.

Pets of unusual color are called floral, due to the spots they have on their body. Such species are becoming more and more attractive, but are not recognized by all cynological federations. The application submitted to the RKF for inclusion in the register of spotted sharpei colors has not yet received confirmation.

Similar breeds

There are several dog breeds that look very similar to the Shar Pei.

• Pug. These dogs have the same folds and curved tail. They differ only in their flattened muzzle and small size, which is only thirty centimeters. Color black, silver or apricot with a black mask. They are also smart and good companions.
• Bloodhound. This breed is very similar to the Shar Pei. Distinctive features are hanging ears and a straight tail. The coat color is black with yellow-brown spots, red-brown or solid bright red. The coat is hard and short. The character is good-natured and kind without aggression.
• English Mastiff. The drooping eyebrows on the eyes and everything else resembles a Shar Pei. But mastiffs are much larger. The height at the withers reaches seventy centimeters. The coat is thick and short, and can be brindle, silver, fawn, or apricot. Mastiffs are majestic, friendly and tolerant.
• English bulldog. This breed is not so graceful, but when you see the folds on the body of bulldogs, you immediately remember Shar-Peis. These dogs have short hair. Its color can be white, red, piebald. Bulldogs are lazy, do not tolerate loneliness well, are good friends, and smart.

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Dog character

Behind the sullen and gloomy appearance of the Shar Pei lies friendliness, love, kindness, cheerfulness, and curiosity. In addition, the dog has the qualities of a real psychologist.

The character of the Shar Pei has a desire to be a leader, so the owner of such a dog must have a strong and strong-willed character. It is worth noting that already a four-month-old puppy is well versed in the hierarchical structure of the family where he lives.

He will not obey the children, but at the same time he will not offend them. However, the dog should be taught to communicate with children. Dogs ignore individual family members for the rest of their lives.

The animal's aggressiveness increases significantly if you grab it by the legs or suddenly put your hand on it. This is due to the characteristics of peripheral vision, since due to large eyelids it is very weak.

Animals are highly intelligent. If they find themselves in an extraordinary situation, they will not lose their composure. Being alone in a living space while waiting for a long time for the owner will not damage things and clothes. Shar-Peis living outside the city will not run through flower beds and beds, but will walk along well-trodden paths.

The dog completely adapts its regime to the owner’s daily routine:

• the owner lies down to rest or sits down to work, at this time the Shar Pei will take a nap or lie down on its bedding;
• if the pet sees a leash in the owner’s hands, he rejoices and hurries to go for a walk;
• the dog's morning rise time coincides with the owner's routine;
• if suddenly the owner is overcome by sadness, the dog will grieve with him.

The Chinese Shar Pei tolerates trips and travel well. Although traveling with a dog is a troublesome task, neglecting your pet and not wanting to take it with you will negatively affect its character.

Pros and cons of the breed

If you decide to become the owner of a plush pet, it is better to familiarize yourself with all the advantages and disadvantages in advance.

Pros:

1. Memorable appearance.
2. Many possible colors.
3. Peacefulness and kindness towards “our own people”.
4. Unconditional devotion.
5. Sharp mind and learning ability.
6. Suitable for keeping in an apartment.
7. It does not require special care.
8. Calm.
9. Performing security and watchdog functions.
10. Good attitude towards children if the acquaintance took place in puppyhood.

Minuses:

1. Jealousy and tendency to remember grievances.
2. Tendency to a large number of diseases.
3. A “steady hand” is needed, otherwise the dog will become uncontrollable.
4. Slowness when following commands: the dog first decides whether it makes sense to do something.
5. Tendency to food allergies.
6. The folds on the muzzle narrow the view, so sudden movements can lead to either fear or aggression.
7. Relationships with other pets will most likely not work out.

What should a Shar Pei menu be like?

As with feeding any pets, there is a choice of using dry food for feeding or preparing the food yourself.

Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Ready-made food should be premium, with a price tag that weighs enough for the owner’s wallet.

Cooking your own food takes personal time and requires purchasing high quality products.

Therefore, an assessment of financial capabilities is prevalent when deciding to adopt a Shar Pei dog into the family.

The dog does not have a good appetite. Long walks and games in the fresh air will help improve your appetite. The dog needs to be fed twice a day.

The diet must include:

• meat and offal. The main part of the diet, any raw meat is suitable, except pork, chicken and raw liver. The last two products can cause severe allergic reactions;
• fish. Served two to three times a week boiled or stewed. The fish should not be fatty and marine. It is important to remove all the bones from a fish dish before serving.
• milk and dairy products. Only puppies can lap up milk. For an adult dog, kefir, yogurt, and low-fat varieties of cottage cheese are suitable.
• quail eggs. They are given several times a week, two pieces raw, along with the shells.
• cereals The diet will be supplemented with boiled buckwheat, rice, and oatmeal; if the dog is obese, the best option for feeding him would be pearl barley.

An excellent addition to the diet will be vegetables: carrots, pumpkin, zucchini, broccoli.

Shar Pei photos