"Beneath all my wrinkles is a quiet yet confident protector!"
With a unique face and endless wrinkles, the Chinese Shar-Pei definitely stands out in a crowd. Although they aren’t as snuggly as some other breeds, these loyal, devoted pups love being with family and keeping an eye on their homes.
The Chinese Shar-Pei is loving, brave, and wise, but they aren't always obedient. They bond quickly with family and are hopelessly devoted to them. Shar-Peis are known to be independent and a bit aloof unless something threatens their family or territory. Then, they go into protector mode and will do whatever’s necessary to keep them safe.
The Chinese Shar-Pei’s coat comes in two varieties, both with hard fur. The horsecoat variety is short, prickly, and bristly, while the brushcoat has longer hair. There’s also a less common bearcoat variety, which is double-coated. Shar-Peis come in several solid or sable colors, such as red, cream, blue, and black. They don’t shed much and only need to be groomed weekly with a soft brush. Also, be sure to keep their signature folds clean to avoid skin problems.
Chinese Shar-Peis are friendly toward strangers but may bark at them when they’re first introduced. They get along well with children and pets as long as they’ve been socialized, but they may try to fight with other dogs. Shar-Peis are happy indoors or outdoors as long as they have a cool, comfortable place to sleep and be close to you. The overheat easily though, so it’s best to keep them indoors or in colder climates.
Shar-Peis need quite a bit of outdoor exercise. They should be taken for long walks or given time to play each day. This breed also enjoys agility, herding, and tracking. However, they don’t like warm climates, so keep their activities indoors or wait until it cools down to go outside.