Chinese Shar-Pei
Complete Breed Guide
"Beneath all my wrinkles is a quiet yet confident protector!"
Quick Facts About Chinese Shar-Peis
Non Sporting
45–60 lbs
18–20"
No
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Overview
With a unique face and endless wrinkles, the Chinese Shar-Pei definitely stands out in a crowd. Although they aren’t as snuggly as some other breeds, these loyal, devoted pups love being with family and keeping an eye on their homes.
Easily recognized by their wrinkly faces and bodies, the Chinese Shar-Pei almost looks like they're wearing outfits that are too big for their bodies. While their distinct features may catch your eye, their personalities will melt your heart. These courageous and devoted dogs are a good mix of gentle lover and fierce protector. Shar-Peis are quiet and happy most of the time, but they won’t hesitate to go into watchdog mode to keep their family and territory safe. They need a lot of activity and some special TLC for their wrinkles, but they’ll be sure to show you endless love in return.
Temperament and Behavior
The Chinese Shar-Pei is loving, brave, and wise, but they aren't always obedient. They bond quickly with family and are hopelessly devoted to them. Shar-Peis are known to be independent and a bit aloof unless something threatens their family or territory. Then, they go into protector mode and will do whatever’s necessary to keep them safe.
Coat & Grooming
The Chinese Shar-Pei’s coat comes in two varieties, both with hard fur. The horsecoat variety is short, prickly, and bristly, while the brushcoat has longer hair. There’s also a less common bearcoat variety, which is double-coated. Shar-Peis come in several solid or sable colors, such as red, cream, blue, and black. They don’t shed much and only need to be groomed weekly with a soft brush. Also, be sure to keep their signature folds clean to avoid skin problems.
Lifestyle & Living Conditions
Chinese Shar-Peis are friendly toward strangers but may bark at them when they’re first introduced. They get along well with children and pets as long as they’ve been socialized, but they may try to fight with other dogs. Shar-Peis are happy indoors or outdoors as long as they have a cool, comfortable place to sleep and be close to you. The overheat easily though, so it’s best to keep them indoors or in colder climates.
Exercise & Activity
Shar-Peis need quite a bit of outdoor exercise. They should be taken for long walks or given time to play each day. This breed also enjoys agility, herding, and tracking. However, they don’t like warm climates, so keep their activities indoors or wait until it cools down to go outside.
Characteristics at-a-glance
Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.
Chinese Shar-Pei FAQs
Common questions about the Chinese Shar-Pei breed, answered by our editorial team.
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