Shar Pei

In his social group, the Sharpei dog is a very endearing being, who seeks attention and caresses. Some will have a more distant and reserved temperament but this will never taint the affection that he has for his master.

The Shar pei knows how to be jovial and enthusiastic but it is not his main trait. However, playing sessions can be proposed, in particular to strengthen the master-dog relationship and to improve his education.

The main characteristic of this wrinkled dog is his quietness. He is very quiet which allows him to be able to integrate perfectly with the family life.

This dog is a thoughtful animal that adapts perfectly to the lifestyle of the members of his social group. If his masters are active and athletic, he will be capable of following them, despite his more moderate nature. If his masters are rather calm, he can adapt with great pleasure as well.

This ability to adapt makes him an intelligent dog whose company is very pleasant to share on a daily basis.

Traditionally, the Shar Pei was bred by Chinese peasants especially for his hunting skills. Today, he is preferred for his temperament and his unique physique rather than for his skill set.

This fancy dog is especially reserved and will not go naturally to people he does not know. He will not show himself to be in any way aggressive when seeing strangers, but will instead appear suspicious. 

Good socialisation is necessary from masters who do not want to see this trait of his personality amplify with age.

Depending on the personality of the Sharpei, he will be more or less independent, but in each case, he always retains a share of autonomy and freedom.

With a very calm and somewhat independent temperament, the adult Sharpei can stay home alone for a few hours without causing any big problems. He must, however, be accustomed from an early age to dealing with solitude if he is to manage it.

This wrinkled dog has the bad reputation of being stubborn, however, he is not. Of course, his upbringing demands consistency and firmness, but it won’t be hindered by a stubborn temperament.

It is true that the Shar Pei has a strong personality, in the sense that if he is rushed or does not understand what is asked of him, he will quit easily. He can be difficult to motivate sometimes. But if he understands what is expected of him and the exercises are repeated regularly, with patience and consistency, he will study with enthusiasm.

Education must be initiated from at the age of 2 months and it should be mixed with high quality socialization.

Positive methods of education are preferred because this combative dog does not appreciate injustice. Although sometimes difficult to motivate, brutal methods will only stunt his progress.

He is a natural guardian due to his protective instincts, so the Shar Pei may be heard barking to deter any intruder from entering his home. His education will soften or strengthen this trait according to the expectations and needs of the Masters.

This Chinese fighting dog is far too protective of his own to flee, especially since he appreciates the cosy and warm comforts of home.

Especially as a puppy, the Shar Pei can be destructive; but his calm temperament prevails with age.

This dog will rarely refuse a treat but be careful because he can quickly suffer from excessive weight-gain.

Treats can be used to stimulate his education by motivating him to cooperate, but excess should be avoided.

This Chinese fighting dog is a very good guard as he has a fairly developed sense of ownership. Indeed, he does not easily allow anyone he does not know or who does not inspire trust to enter his home.

Without ever being aggressive, he will behave in a deterrent manner due to his stature and serious bark.

Living in an apartment in a city environment is quite possible for this quiet dog. Pay attention all the same to his guarding instincts which could, if not controlled, bother the neighbours.

The Sharpei appreciates the comfort of an indoor life and could not stand physically or emotionally to live outside.

Whether he lives in a house with access to the outdoors or in an apartment, he will need several outings a day.

This Chinese dog needs doesn’t need to spend much energy. He is not a great sportsman but he still enjoys long walks in the countryside.

He can be satisfied with three walks a day, in the morning, at noon and in the evening, without them being very intense. With a puppy, walks should be used for training in the mental, olfactory, and social arts.

Transport for this medium-sized dog is not complicated. But for everything to go well, it is imperative that he is socialized from an early age to the different environments and distractions that he will face on the road.

In public transport such as the train, the wearing of a muzzle will be mandatory as with all dogs of his size. By car or aeroplane, he will have to travel in a transport box adapted to his size. In buses or metros where dogs are allowed, his proper education will be indispensable.

If a Shar Pei is to coexist with a cat, it will be appropriate to raise them together, otherwise the relationship could be tricky. 
This profoundly creased dog will never make best friends with a cat; the best your efforts at socialization and education can hope to achieve is tolerance.

He must be trained with commands such as " Leave" and "Stay”. Likewise, the cat should always be allowed to flee or take refuge in height if necessary.

This fighting dog is not the most sociable of his kind. To prevent him from becoming violent, socialization is necessary. This is one of the major points of his education that cannot be neglected or underestimated.

Also, regular, supervised peer meetings will have to be offered to the Sharpei puppy throughout his growth so that he accumulates many positive experiences.

A family with children will not pose any problems to the Shar Pei if the children respect him and ground rules are quickly introduced.

Despite the calm temperament of this dog, he is still a dog with strong personality who will resist the manipulation to which other breeds are vulnerable, and therefore it is difficult for him to adapt to fragile people. In addition, active masters are more recommended for this dog.

This dog is often adopted for his atypical physique. However, he is still a dog that needs a firm and early education. Novice masters could quickly be surpassed.

If he is not well educated or socialized, he can become dangerous - because his past as a fighting dog could push him to impose himself against his peers, against whose blows he remains impervious due to his armour-like folds. 

In fact, before adoption, it is important to become aware of all the characteristics of the breed, and not just his looks.