Trainability

With an ancestry based in herding, guarding and later fighting, this breed are independent thinkers. Meaning, training must be entertaining and engaging otherwise your precious pup might find something far more interesting to attend to. These dogs must be trained, and it is important to ensure you have enough time to dedicate to training so that you can develop strong leadership qualities. This is not the breed for the first-time dog owner, unless you have ample knowledge of the breed and their requirements and also an understanding on the importance of leadership. Like with all dogs, they will not take to harsh training or punishment methods and will require a gentle, kind yet firm owner. The Shar Pei loves to learn and work hand-in-hand with their loving owners. Early socialisation is imperative with the Shar Pei. Due to their natural guarding desires it is important to show your young dog that people and other pets are OK. This means lots of socialisation, think loud sounds, sights, smells, people and pets. Enrolling in a puppy-preschool is a great way to start your socialisation and early training, plus allowing your pup to interact with other dogs. Puppies learn best from other puppies (think…OUCH that hurt!) making these classes invaluable for puppies of all shapes and sizes. Follow this up with a solid obedience class to grow your bundle of wrinkles into a well-rounded dog.

Grooming

The Shar Pei is a wash-and-go type of breed. They are impeccably clean, do not have a doggy smell, and shed very little. Their coats will enjoy a quick rub down with a rubber mitt once a week that will remove any built-up hair or dirt. Be careful not to over bathe your pup, around every three months. Too much washing can cause the skin to dry and become irritated. It’s also important to ensure that your dry your pup’s wrinkles correctly, wet folds can lead to a build-up of bacteria that can cause yeast infections. It’s also a good idea to get your precious pup used to having their paws, ears, teeth and mouth examined as a wee pup. This will allow your dog’s veterinary check-ups to go stress free. Also clip your pup’s nails regularly to prevent over grown nails.

Exercise Requirements

Due to the breeds short nose care must be taken with exercise and heat. He requires daily exercise during the cooler parts of the day. A good off-leash run, or brisk walk will keep your Shar Pei in perfect condition. As long as he is beside his loving owner, any adventure is tolerated – even lazing in the apartment all day long. However, a good walk will get your Shar Pei flexing his brawn and his brain, just think about all those lovely neighbourhood smells!

Intelligence

The Shar Pei is a very intelligent dog and independent thinker. Because of this it is important to ensure you exercise your pup correctly and also consider good backyard enrichment. Due to their guarding instincts they can become problem barkers if not entertained correctly when you are not at home. They love nothing more than to be in the company of their loving owners, so ensure you have interesting toys and games to do when you are not at home. Consider rotating toys and home-alone treatballs and puzzle toys.

Family Friendly

The breed is very protective of his family, including children. The key to the child/dog relationship is socialisation and interaction from a very young age. In other words, if a dog has grown up with children, they are much more likely to understand the rules and regulations in terms of interactions and respect. As with all dogs, it’s important to teach your dog how to correctly play with children and teach your children how to correctly interact with a dog. Dogs and children should always be supervised regardless of breed or size. Due to their fighting ancestry it’s important that you socialised your pup around other dogs to prevent inter-dog aggression. All interactions should be supervised.

Indoor/ Outdoor

Like all dogs breeds your Shar Pei should not be left alone for endless hours in a backyard or you will invite a whole host of problems, and a handful of angry neighbours. Due to their short noses, this breed struggles in the warm weather and will need ample shade and cool areas to prevent overheating and heatstroke issues. This breed also does not like the cold and will need plenty of warm and weatherproof areas during winter. The Shar Pei makes a wonderful apartment dog and will thrive in a loving home.

Breeding

It is very important to only source your new family member from a reputable breeding establishment, to ensure your puppy is healthy. Ask all the important questions about hereditary problems and ask to see mum and dad. Contact your local breed club and research your chosen breeder. Your breeder should have proof that they regularly test their dogs for genetic diseases and to ensure that the dogs they are breeding from have sound temperaments. It may take a little more time than a quick purchase, but it can save you and your family from unimaginable heartache and pain dealing with a sick puppy.