Your Pet, Our Passion.
Shar Pei Mobile

Shar Pei

Shar Pei are easily recognisable by the loose folds of skin on their bodies and their 'frowning' expressions. They are squarely built and short-coupled and look powerful with good bone. Their coat is short and bristly and harsh to the touch. The Shar Pei dog comes in many colours.

The need-to-know
  • Dog suitable for experienced owners
  • Extra training required
  • Enjoys active walks
  • Enjoys walking an hour a day
  • Medium dog
  • Minimum drool
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Quiet dog
  • Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
  • May require training to live with other pets
  • May require training to live with kids

Key Facts

Lifespan: 9–11 years
Weight: 18kg
Height: 46–51cm
Colours: Diverse colours including, black, cream, red or blue
Size: Medium
Kennel Club group: Utility

Ratings

Family-friendly: 2/5
Exercise needs: 3/5
Easy to train: 3/5
Tolerates being alone: 4/5
Likes other pets: 2/5
Energy level: 2/5
Grooming needs: 3/5
Shedding: 5/5

Personality

Well-socialised Shar Pei are devoted to their families. They are loyal and can be playful and active but more often are rather aloof and can also be stubborn and territorial if not trained properly when young. They are naturally suspicious of strangers. They will be fine with cats if they have been introduced to them when puppies, but there can be problems mixing with other dogs. They often hate the cold.

History and Origins

Country of Origin: China

The Shar Pei, also known as the Chinese Fighting Dog, is thought to be descended from the Han Dog, a ancient guarding breed that lived in China around 2000 years ago.

The Han Dog gave rise to two different breeds - one a heavier, more bulky dog which went on the become the Chow and a smaller wrinkled dog who became used for fighting who became the Shar Pei. Both have the same unique blue tongue showing their linked ancestry.

The wrinkled skin along with their bristly coat was an intentional characteristic to give them an advantage in fights as their opponent would find it hard to get a good grip on them or cause serious injury.

The fighting career of the Shar Pei ended when organisers were able to import larger stronger dogs, and the breed became virtually extinct when Communist leaders who felt owning dogs was a Western decadence, slaughtered any they could find.

By 1978, they found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the rarest dog in the world before a group of breed enthusiasts used the few that were left to recreate the breed. Now their numbers have risen and their future is secure - although responsible breeders are still working hard to breed for both temperament and health.

The Shar Pei will suit an owner who enjoys their unconventional looks and who likes their aloof nature.

The most common health problems affecting the Shar Pei are skin infections in the excessive skin folds, and various eye conditions. They also may suffer a particular condition which causes fever and joint swelling (familial Shar Pei fever).

Shar Pei’s will take as much or as little exercise as offered as long as they have access to free play, but they are often happiest spending time in the garden. As a guide, an adult dog should be offered an hour of exercise daily, though he will happily accept more. As Shar Pei’s are often not keen on interacting with other dogs, long walks on lead are often best, so an active owner is needed.

The Shar Pei doesn’t need a large home but will enjoy a good-sized garden. As he is not always a particularly dog social, he will do well in a more isolated environment without close canine neighbours.

The Shar Pei diet needs to have the right balance of all the main nutrient groups including a constant supply of fresh water. It's important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed him at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of his particular food.

Some lines have very close-set tails and these must be inspected and cleaned to prevent infection. The eyes should also be inspected daily. The coat itself just needs a going over with a soft brush.

Shar Pei’s look on training as something very definitely beneath them and they are a challenge to train. At the very least they should be socialised with other dogs when they are puppies and trainer to walk on a lead and harness.

Shar Pei’s do not make for good family dogs as they are not a lover of games or disruption, and they prefer a quiet household.

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.

Did You Know?

  • The Shar Pei’s wrinkles originated from his dog fighting days to prevent opponents being able to easily get hold of him and cause injury, while his prickly coat would feel unpleasant in their mouth causing them to quickly let go.
  • If you read his original breed standard, you can discover why this dog looks as unique as he does. It says the Shar Pei should have a head shaped like a melon, a mouth like a mother frog, clam-shaped ears, a face like a grandmother, a neck like a water buffalo, a body like a fish, a back like a shrimp, all coupled with horses’ buttocks on dragon’s legs with feet like garlic!

Found your perfect fur friend? Here's some useful tips from us:

Labrador lying next to the sofa
Finding a pet
Is this the right breed for you?
All dogs have their own unique personality, but there are some instincts and behaviours that they're born with. Try our Dog Breed Selector tool and find out which dog breeds better match your preferences and lifestyle.
Puppy walking next to owner on a lead
Finding a pet
7 of the Best Dog Breeds for Families and Kids
Dogs and kids can be a great match! Dogs encourage children to stay active while helping to develop the social skills of both dog and child alike. To help you ensure you find the best match, we've created this guide to the best dog breeds for families.
Dog with red collar sitting next to the owner
Finding a pet
Finding a good breeder
If your heart is set on a purebred puppy, then your best bet is to find a reputable breeder. Finding the right breeder is crucial to make sure that your pup has received the best start to grow into a happy and healthy dog. Find out what to look for in a puppy breeder with this guide.
Dog with red collar
Finding a pet
Welcoming your dog home
While you're waiting for the big day you may need to distract yourself, so luckily there are a few things you need to sort our before you welcome your new arrival.
Dog with red collar lying
Adoption
It's incredibly fulfilling to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or rescue organisation. It often means offering them a second chance at life. There are many dogs waiting for a loving family and their forever home, but what can you expect from the process?
Dog with red collar looking out the window
Puppy advice
Everything you need to know
Getting a new puppy is incredibly exciting for all the family, but it can be quite scary for your new pup. Find out how to deal with everything from behaviour to health questions with our expert puppy advice.
Owner checking dogs collar
Finding a pet
Benefits of having a dog
It's known far and wide that dogs are man's best friend, but did you know that there's actually numerous benefits of having a dog? From helping you to get fit to meeting new people, your puppy can actually help to improve your health and social life. Keep reading to discover the benefits of dogs!