Size

Both genders of the Shar Pei breed reach around 43-51 centimeters in height. As for other physical data, their length ranges from 64 to 74 centimeters.

Weight

Individual cases of Shar Pei weight vary according to genetics, diet, and health condition. Nevertheless, as a rule, adult representatives of the breed weigh from 18 to 29 kilograms.

Lifespan 

A Shar Pei’s life expectancy ranges from 9 to 11 years and is roughly equivalent to 56-65 years of human existence. But still, remember, these figures are only conditional, and the life expectancy of your important family members greatly depends on their healthy lifestyle and harmonious living environment.

Fur

Shar Pei’s fur comes in a video range of colors (black, beige, gray, fawn) and requires minimal maintenance. It only needs to be brushed once a week to get rid of shedding hair, dirt, and dandruff. Bathing a Shar Pei is recommended only once a month. Nevertheless, the main concern with the process is the complete drying of the folds which is especially essential to prevent skin infections.

The independent Shar Pei has a reserved temperament and prefers to live in isolation without other companion animals. The need for moderate exercise makes this important family member a suitable companion for both city and country life.

Shar Pei is a loyal companion and never refuses to be in the company of desired people. Nevertheless, due to their asocial nature and less interest in interactive games, the Shar Pei doesn’t rank high among the recommended breeds for families.

Due to the aggression shown towards other dogs, you should keep Shar Pei under supervision. Early socialization will help them learn to interact with other pets and become friendly companions.

Skin and Ear Infections

To avoid complications related to skin infections, we recommend using hygiene products specially designed for furry friends. Also, if possible, it is recommended to do an allergy test for your companion and determine with maximum accuracy which products it is allergic to. This will allow you to remove from its diet all those ingredients that can cause a food allergic reaction.

Brachycephaly

Just like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers, the Shar Pei is a brachycephalic breed, meaning it has a short nose and narrow nostrils. That’s why these important family members are prone to breathing difficulties and snoring as the temperature rises. Their breathing problem worsens with weight gain as well. Therefore, eating healthy food and monitoring weight are of particular importance for preventing the problem.

Due to the brachycephalic structure of the skull, it’s especially dangerous to leave a Shar Pei indoors for a long time. Also, remember that high air temperature and direct sunlight cause a large amount of mucus to accumulate in the nasal cavity of our companion animals and cause breathing difficulties.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma causes increased intraocular pressure and damage to the optic nerve. In the initial stages of glaucoma, the vision of companion animals deteriorates slightly, however, over time, it may lead to incurable blindness. Although it’s difficult to prevent the disease, regular veterinary check-ups and eye health diagnostics can significantly help to detect the disease at an early stage and effectively guide the treatment process.

Entropion

Entropion causes the eyelid to invert and the eyelashes to close to the surface of the eye. This may cause damage to the eyeball and the formation of an ulcer. Entropion causes tearing and flushing in animals. To alleviate the condition, veterinarians often employ artificial tears and moisturizing ointments.

Shar Pei Fever

The cause of Shar Pei’s wrinkled skin – accumulated hyaluronic acid in the dermis activates the immune system and causes an excessive amount of macrophages to be produced, which then manifests itself in fever.

Dogs with wrinkled skin are most prone to fever syndrome. Episodes are often irregular in intensity, lasting 12-48 hours, and accompanied by high temperature and joint pain.

In the process of caring for a Shar Pei, it’s advisable to give preference to food specially formulated for medium-sized dogs. The balanced formula of the food will support the efficient functioning of the digestive system of your furry friends and reduce the unpleasant odor characteristic of fecal mass.

To establish a regular eating schedule, pay close attention to the guidance on the food label. If necessary, adjust the portion size and feeding frequency to the lifestyle and health condition of your companion animal based on consultation with a nutritionist.

As usual, 2 meals a day are suggested for an adult Shar Pei. However, during puppyhood, we should treat these important family members with food formulated for growth more often. Due to the risk associated with gaining excess weight, the idea of ​​free feeding isn’t acceptable for competent parents. Instead, maintaining a healthy weight is essential to the well-being of these beloved companions.

Along with eating high-quality foods, based on the advice of a nutritionist, consider health supplements such as fish oil for joint health or probiotics for the proper functioning of the digestive system. With the high risk of overheating, don’t forget the importance of hydration and make sure your Shar Pei has fresh water available at all times, especially in hot weather or after exercise.

Known as the Chinese fighting dog, the Shar-Pei originated from the Han, an ancient guard breed living in China, about 2,000 years ago. Han is the ancestor of the Chow Chow as well, and this explains the unique blue color of the tongue that these two companion animals have in common.

The wrinkled skin and bristly coat are deliberate characteristics that gave the Sharpei an advantage in battle. Because of which, it was particularly tricky for the opponent to catch it and inflict serious injury.

In the middle of the 20th century, during the communist revolution, the number of Shar Pei in China was drastically reduced and the breed was in danger of extinction. In 1978, as the rarest dog in the world, Shar Pei was even listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

A Hong Kong businessman, Matgo Low, played a crucial role in saving Shar Pei. To conserve the breed, he appealed to American enthusiasts, and his efforts yielded the desired results in a short time.