Chinese Shar-Pei

THOSE CHINESE SHAR-PEI WRINKLES DO DISAPPEAR

The Chinese Shar-Pei is a true fighting dog! A strong and spirited dog, this breed is known for its wrinkles all over its body. People often bought them for just that reason but the wrinkles tend to fade or disappear as the dog gets older. The Chinese Shar-Pei was all the rage when I started practice in 1981. Everyone wanted to own this breed. A lot of inbreeding occurred to satisfy demand and the Chinese Shar-Pei tended to develop a lot of medical problems. Outside of wrinkles, the Chinese Shar-Pei has a distinctive bluish/purple tongue. Their coat is bristly and rough; sort of like a brush!

MANY PEOPLE ARE ALLERGIC TO THEIR HAIR-COATS

Including myself, a lot of people are allergic to the hair proteins of the Chinese Shar-Pei. I used to develop a rash on my forearm when i picked the dog up to be placed on the exam room table. I learned to just handle them with my hands to avoid the contact allergy. The Chinese Shar-Pei has a strong personality and can be stubborn but makes excellent guard dogs! They are happy in many different environments from city living to hanging out in the country. Like the English Bulldog, the skin folds of the Chinese Shar-Pei can harbor yeast and bacteria. They must be cleaned frequently with an appropriate cleaner that rids the folds of germs. Chinese Shar-Pei dogs are also prone to eye issues such as entropion; an eyelid condition that usually requires surgical correction. For people that want to own a medium sized dog, about 35 lbs, and serve as a guard dog, the Chinese Shar-Pei might fit the bill!  Learn more about the Chinese Shar-Pei at Animal Planet’s Dog Breed Selector.