A little look at life together.
Getting to know the Chinese Shar-Pei
The Chinese Shar-Pei is a compact, substantial Chinese breed known for skin folds, a harsh short coat, and reserve with strangers. Learn the individual dog's comfort with handling and introductions, and discuss skin-care needs with a veterinarian.
An everyday routine
Plan a daily mix of walks, play, and rest. The amount that works for a particular dog depends on age, fitness, experience, and temperament.
Coat care to plan for
A relatively straightforward coat still needs routine checks, appropriate brushing, and attention to nails and teeth. Ask a groomer to demonstrate tools that suit this coat.
Before deciding, meet the individual dog and ask about their history, handling preferences, and current routine. Breed tendencies are a starting point, not a promise about personality.
Chinese Shar-Pei questions
Do Chinese Shar-Pei shed?
Yes, a moderate amount, and the coat is short, straight and harsh to the touch. Day-to-day coat care is light, with a bath about once a month plus weekly ear cleaning and nail trims.
How big does a full-grown Chinese Shar-Pei get?
Adults stand 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder and weigh 45 to 60 pounds. Males are usually a little larger and more square in build than females.
How long do Chinese Shar-Pei live, and what do owners ask a vet about?
Chinese Shar-Pei typically live 8 to 12 years, which is a breed-wide figure and not a prediction for one dog. The eyes are a main area of concern, including eyelids that roll inward, and skin and other conditions can also occur. Ask a breeder about patella, hip, elbow, eye and thyroid evaluations, and bring any questions about your own dog to your vet.
Do Chinese Shar-Pei stay wrinkly as adults?
Mostly around the head and shoulders. Loose skin and wrinkles are very abundant in puppies, but in an adult they may be limited to the head, neck and withers. So a heavily wrinkled puppy may grow into much of that extra skin.
Why do Chinese Shar-Pei have a blue-black tongue?
It is a breed trait. A solid bluish-black tongue, gums and roof of the mouth are preferred. Dilute-colored dogs have lavender pigment instead, and a solid pink tongue is a disqualification in the show ring. The Shar-Pei shares this trait with the Chow Chow.
Are Chinese Shar-Pei good family dogs?
They are known for deep loyalty to their own people and for being standoffish with strangers. They are very affectionate with family and middling with young children, so early socialization and training matter. Every dog is an individual, so ask about the temperament of the particular dog you are meeting.
Can a Chinese Shar-Pei live in an apartment?
Often, yes. The breed is very adaptable, able to keep up with an active owner or to do well in an apartment with a few short walks a day. Exercise needs vary from dog to dog.
What were Chinese Shar-Pei bred for?
The breed comes from southern China and goes back more than 2,000 years, where farmers used it as a hunter, herder and guardian of livestock. The name translates as "sand skin," a reference to the rough coat. The breed came close to disappearing in the 20th century, was revived with help from American fanciers after a 1973 appeal by a Hong Kong breeder, and was recognized in the United States in 1992.
