Shar-Pei

The Chinese Shar-Pei will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is moderately active indoors and will do okay without a yard. The Shar-Pei is sensitive to warm weather, partly due to the wrinkles on its head holding in the heat. On hot days shade should always be provided. Water should be available at all times. Provided they get enough exercise, they will be very peaceful indoors.

Not Good with Kids: In isolation, this dog breed might not be the best option for kids. However, to mitigate the risks, have the puppy grow up with kids and provide it with plenty of pleasant and relaxed experiences with them. This breed is also friendly toward other pets and shy toward strangers.

The Chinese Shar-Pei has a considerable need for exercise, which includes a daily walk. While out on the walk, the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Do not over exercise them in the heat, as they are sensitive to it.

The Shar-Pei is compact and square, with a head slightly large for its body. Its signature wrinkles enabled it to twist away when grabbed by a dog when in a fight. Its stiff bristly coat further afforded protection against bites. The coat can be of either brush (not to exceed 1 inch) or horse (very short) types, both should be extremely harsh, straight and stand off the body. The small, close ears and small, sunken eyes afford further protection. The gait is free, with good reach and drive. The wide, powerful jaws, scowling expression and hippopotamus muzzle create a look unique to the breed.

The Shar-Pei is self-assured, serious, independent, stubborn and very much self-possessed. Although not particularly demonstrative, it is devoted and very protective of its family. It is reserved, even suspicious, toward strangers. It can be aggressive toward other dogs and may chase livestock and other animals, although it is generally good with other family pets. The Shar-Pei needs daily mental and physical stimulation, but its needs can be met with lively games throughout the day or a good long walk. It is not generally amenable to exclusive outdoor living, but it can divide its time between house and yard. The coat needs only weekly brushing, but wrinkles need regular attention to ensure that no irritations develop within the skin folds.

The Chinese Shar-Pei (also known as the ‘Chinese Fighting Dog’, and nicknamed the ‘Golden Lion’) lived in the southern provinces of China as far back as 200 B.C, possibly even earlier. ‘Shar-Pei’ means ‘sand skin’, referring to the rough texture of the breed’s coat. The Chinese Shar-Pei likely shares a common ancestor with the Chow Chow, which also originates from China and has a blue-black tongue. Chinese Shar-Peis served as guard dogs, hunters, fighters, workers, and companions for peasants and farmers. Most Chinese dogs were killed after the Communist revolution, but the Shar-Pei was kept alive by breeders in Taiwan and Hong Kong, who brought it to America. Touted as the world’s rarest dog in Time Magazine and The Guinness Book of World Records, the breed became popular and was saved from the brink of extinction. Today, they are a popular pet with over 70,000 representatives of the breed registered.