Chinese Shar-Pei

The Chinese Shar-Pei is low maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs, especially when compared to longer-haired dogs. Brushing them once a week with a rubber curry brush is typically enough. Shar-Peis have three coat types: a short rough coat (called a horse coat), a slightly longer coat that’s softer (called a brush coat) or an even longer-haired coat that’s softer yet (called a bear coat). (Only Shar-Peis with a horse or brush coat can compete in dog shows.) The bear coat may need a little extra brushing every now and then to remove dirt and mats if they’ve been outside. Despite their short fur, they do shed twice a year as the seasons change (spring and fall).

The Shar-Pei’s bathing needs are also low maintenance. The Shar-Pei dog breed is a naturally cleaner dog (they take care of a lot of their grooming needs), so they only need a bath about once a month and can sometimes go as long as 12 weeks between baths. When you do bathe your Shar-Pei, make sure their skin folds are completely dry. They can develop infections if their skin gets wet and isn’t properly dried.

To keep a Shar-Pei’s nails in shape, use a grinder for just a few minutes every week. Because grinders make noise, your pup may be startled by the sound at first. You can help your Shar-Pei get used to it by slowly introducing them to the tool. This will involve letting them sniff the grinder and touching it to their nails one at a time (with it turned off), being sure to give them a small treat for successful encounters. Then you can move to turning it on so they can hear it, again giving them a treat as a reward. After they become used to the sound, trim one nail per session, slowly working your way up over the course of several days to grinding one paw in a sitting. (Don’t forget the rewards!) After a while, you’ll be able to take care of all their paws in one pass. If your pup resists nail trimming, don’t be afraid to ask your veterinarian or groomer for help.

Brush your dog’s teeth daily. Your veterinarian can help teach you how to brush your Shar-Pei’s teeth. Just remember it’s best to start when your dog is a young puppy, so they get used to it faster. Be gently persistent but not forceful. You’ll also want to take your Shar-Pei to the veterinarian for a yearly professional teeth cleaning.

Shar-Peis aren’t necessarily easy to train. They’re intelligent dogs, but they can also be strong-willed. They’ll respond best to training if you start when they are puppies and focus on positive reinforcement techniques (using treats, toys and lots of praise as rewards). Use a lot of love and be consistent when training—never forceful.

Make sure you spend a lot of time socializing them, even before they are 12 weeks old, so your dog can be well-rounded. Spend time around other people, children and animals while they’re puppies, so they learn to make positive associations with strangers and other pets. Since Shar-Peis can be more cautious around others, you might also want to talk to a certified trainer who uses positive reinforcement techniques. They can advise you on building a solid foundation for a healthy, well-adjusted adult Shar-Pei.

The Shar-Pei dog typically does well on high-quality commercial dog food. However, it’s important to ensure the food is formulated for their particular stage in life, whether a puppy, a young adult dog or a senior. Your veterinarian can help you nail down a feeding chart that can guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog.

Shar-Peis don’t have unique nutrition needs, but you’ll want to plan your dog’s meals with training in mind. Include the treats you use in training, since treats mean more calories. Or, set aside part of your Shar-Pei’s daily meals for training treats, then distribute the rest with enrichment items like interactive treat balls or food toys. Shar-Peis are smart and will love the extra mental enrichment.

It’s best not to allow your Shar-Pei to graze all day (aka “free feed”); instead, set a schedule for mealtimes. This helps with potty training and giving your dog a routine to anticipate and look forward to. But again, consult with your veterinarian, as they are in the best position to help you pick the right food and diet for your dog based on their individual needs.

The Shar-Pei dog breed doesn’t require as much exercise as breeds with higher energy levels, such as Border Collies. However, like any dog, they still need some form of exercise every day. About 30 to 60 minutes of walking is just fine for this breed, along with some playtime at home. If you live in an apartment, they’ll be perfectly happy if you take them on several shorter walks each day. Since they love their families and are smart dogs, they’ll enjoy opportunities for mental stimulation through interactive toys and training.

Because Shar-Peis were originally bred for herding and hunting, they’d likely enjoy participating in a dog sport like Treibball. Treibball is a competitive sport where dogs herd large exercise balls toward a goal. They also tend to enjoy sports like scent work and agility.

The Shar-Pei’s ideal environment is a home without many people coming and going. While well-socialized Shar-Peis can be trained to behave around young kids and babies or other pets, it’s essential to teach both your dog and any kids or animals around them how to interact gently and respectfully. They can be wary of strangers, so they won’t enjoy a lot of parties. However, experienced pet parents can socialize their Shar-Pei from the time they’re a puppy, so they learn to be more accepting of strangers. They’ll be equally happy in an apartment or a large home with a big backyard, as long as they can get a short amount of brisk exercise every day. This regal, smart dog can be more challenging for first-time pet parents. At the end of the day, they need someone who can provide a relaxing, serene home where their dog will thrive.