The Shar-Pei is one of the worlds well known fighting type dogs. Many people think it is difficult to raise, so relatively few choose it. In reality, a Shar-Pei can be quite easy to manage if the owner understands its habits well and provides the right care.
The breed comes from Guangdong in China and is a very distinctive type of dog. It has existed for a long time, sometimes being compared with the Chow Chow in terms of historical depth. Its most obvious feature is the many folds and wrinkles across the body, similar in some ways to the Bulldog and the Pug. Even so, the total number of Shar-Pei in China is not especially large, making it a relatively uncommon breed.
Why do so few people keep Shar-Pei dogs?
One reason is appearance. Some people simply do not like the heavy wrinkles, especially around the face, and find the breed less cute than others. Another reason is that excessively loose skin can lead to many complications, including inward turning eyelashes, skin disease, and inflammation. These problems increase the financial burden on the owner and make people think of the breed as hard to keep. Shar-Pei dogs are lively in spirit, but because the nose is naturally short, they cannot tolerate intense exercise well. If pushed too hard, they may become deprived of oxygen and in severe cases can even die.
Shar-Pei personality traits
1. The Shar-Pei has an innate fighting instinct. No matter what dog it sees, it may feel the urge to challenge it, and it is physically strong.
2. The Shar-Pei is emotionally expressive. It can show happiness, anger, sadness, and dissatisfaction quite clearly. If it is unhappy with you, it may turn away and ignore your efforts to please it.
3. The Shar-Pei has a lot of energy but also dislikes loneliness. When left alone, it may become destructive toward furniture, decorations, or books, though it often behaves much better when people are present.
4. The Shar-Pei likes being close to its owner, so households with people who strongly dislike dogs may find it harder to manage harmoniously.
In fact, the Shar-Pei can still be a very workable breed. It can tolerate quiet periods, guard the home, and serve as a watchful companion. However, because dirt can hide easily within its wrinkles, body odor becomes more likely. Daily hygiene is therefore important. Diet also matters. Salt intake should be controlled carefully, and overly salty food should be avoided, because it may worsen hair loss and body odor.