DOG FAQ - Why should I spay or neuter my Shar Pei?

Puppies placed in homes as pets and companions from True Gem Chinese Shar Pei are on a spay/neuter contract and must be spayed/neutered at 6 months of age. Sometimes people are reluctant because it is a surgical procedure requiring general anesthesia. And of course, people have heard horror stories about dogs not recovering from surgery.

However, the risks involved with not spaying or neutering outweigh the slight possibility of a surgical complication. Anesthesia used to be a risk factor, but with today?s advances it has been greatly reduced. Make sure that your veterinarian is using an anesthetic such as isoflourine, which is reversible in case of complications. Your Shar Pei will be feeling normal and fully recovered from the spay or neuter surgery in just a couple of days, but it is important to limit their activity for a week to 10 days following surgery.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Can Shar Pei tolerate temperature extremes?

No. Shar Pei should not be left in the sun for long periods of time. If it is extremely hot and humid, it can even be too hot for your Shar Pei dog outside in a shaded area. Shar Pei are also not winter dogs and can not be outside for long periods of time in the extreme cold. Just be aware of how hot or cold it is outside. If it is too hot or cold for you to be outside, then it is too hot or cold for your Shar Pei to be outside too.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Does a spotted or pink tongue mean the Shar Pei is from a mixed breeding?

No, this does not mean the dog is from a mixed breeding. If the Shar Pei has a spotted tongue it is a major fault for the ACK show ring. The tongue should be solid black or bluish black in pigmented Shar Pei dogs. A Shar Pei with a dilute color will have a lavender tongue. A solid pink tongue is a disqualification from the AKC show ring. This does not mean the Shar Pei dog is from a mixed breeding, nor does it indicate health problems.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Can a Shar Pei live in an apartment?

Yes, Shar Pei adapt well to apartment living. Most Shar Pei are wonderful couch potatoes by the time they are a year old. They enjoy playing and going for walks and are equally happy lazing about the house.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Do Shar Pei drool?

Shar Pei do not drool continuously like some breeds. But they can get a little slobbery after eating and drinking. Shar Pei puppies tend to drip water down their chin and chest when drinking. But they out grow this – just like a child needs a bib when younger, but outgrows the need. A towel placed under the water bowl will catch most of the dripping water.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Do Shar Pei have bad temperaments?

Temperament problems are not an affliction of the Chinese Shar Pei breed as a whole. Any breed of dog can have temperament problems when bred improperly. Shar Pei can be aloof and standoffish with strangers if not properly socialized as a puppy. But aloof and standoffish does not translate into aggressive. While it is true that some of the original Shar Pei dogs brought over to the United States had nasty dispositions, conscientious breeders over the past 25 years have all but eliminated aggressive tendencies.

The Chinese Shar Pei is bright, affectionate, and loyal and devoted to its family. The Shar Pei dog needs to be socialized as a puppy so they are less territorial and standoffish towards strangers and are more confident in unfamiliar surroundings. If your Shar Pei puppy grows up and is only familiar with your home and yard, then as an adult Shar Pei the first venture out into the big world full of strange people and animals can be very frightening.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Are Shar Pei easy to housebreak and train?

Yes. Some people think that Shar Pei are the easiest dogs to housebreak. It isn't unusual for an 8 week old puppy to "ask" to go outside. Patience and persistence is the key and you should be able to housebreak your Shar Pei puppy in a week. Puppies need to go outside first thing in the morning, after eating, when they wake up from naps and after playing. Approximately every 2 - 4 hours when they are awake. Always take your Shar Pei puppy out the same door and to the same location while housebreaking, so they will understand quickly where to go and why. Some 8 week old Shar Pei puppies can sleep through the night and not need to go outside as often. Shar Pei are very clean dogs and will not want to soil their homes. And they are highly intelligent and eager to please their family.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Are Shar Pei intelligent?

Shar Pei are very intelligent. Their high intelligence may cause them to become bored with overly repetitive training. And they are independent which can translate into stubbornness. So training sessions should be brief and varied to maintain their interest and combined with play. Shar Pei respond best to positive reinforcement and praise. Food as a reward can make training easier for some Shar Pei dogs.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Do you have to clean and powder the wrinkles on a Shar Pei?

No. Your Shar Pei no need special clean and powder the wrinkles.
A well bred Shar Pei from a knowledgeable and reputable breeder is not going to have chronic skin problems. Your Shar Pei dog needs to be bathed when they are dirty or when they smell. Like any other dog, you must rinse them thoroughly to remove all the shampoo from the coat. For Shar Pei dogs, do not use a shampoo that contains coat conditioners. Although most Shar Pei hate water, you can easily teach them to stand for a bath if you start training them as puppies. Shar Pei are very clean dogs and they enjoy how they feel after a bath. Wash them, rinse them thoroughly and dry them with a towel.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Do Shar Pei have a lot of medical problems?

The Shar Pei was the "Rarest Dog in the World" according to the Guinness Book of World Records when they were first brought over to the United States. And only a few Shar Pei dogs were sent to the United States, so in the beginning there was a very limited gene pool for a breeding program. Unfortunately, some of these first dogs had health problems.

Dedicated Shar Pei breeders have carefully worked towards eliminating these health issues by researching pedigrees and communicating with other breeders so that they only breed Shar Pei dogs that are sound and healthy. Unfortunately, some of the diseases that affect Shar Pei dogs are recessive and they can appear in even the most carefully planned breeding.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Are Shar Pei puppies expensive to buy?

In the early 70's there were only a few Chinese Shar Pei and they were considered the world's rarest breed. The Shar Pei became a fad with Shar Pei puppies selling for thousands of dollars. Today however, Shar Pei are no longer considered a rare breed. Prices for Shar Pei pets and show quality dogs are comparable to what you would expect to pay for any other pure bred dog. Shar Pei puppies are more expensive than adult Shar Pei when they are purchased as pets or companions. Remember that adult Shar Pei also make wonderful family members.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - How long does a Shar Pei live?

An average life of Shar Pei dog is approximately 9 – 12 years of age, but some have been known to live as long as 15 years or more.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Do Shar Pei shed?

Yes, but Shar Pei do not shed year around. They tend to shed in the spring and in the fall. The spring shed is the heaviest due to shedding of the winter coat. And the first spring shed for Shar Pei puppies is especially heavy because puppies are also shedding out their soft puppy coat. Some Shar Pei dogs will develop a moth-eaten appearance to their coat during shedding. This is particularly noticeable on the horsecoat Shar Pei. This is normal and is not a sign of skin disease. Bathing and brushing will get the old dead hair out and promote new hair growth.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Are Shar Pei good with other dogs and cats?

Yes. When raised from puppy hood with other pets, Shar Pei are loving and devoted family members. Although some Shar Pei are aloof and standoffish towards strangers, they bond quickly to their new families. Socialization for Shar Pei puppies is very important. Puppy kindergarten and beginning obedience will socialize your puppy with other dogs, people and unfamiliar surroundings. Shar Pei thrive on attention and training school is a wonderful and rewarding way to bond with your dog.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Do Shar Pei snore?

Yes, Shar Pei snore, some more then others. The Shar Pei also snort which may be mistaken for growling. As with all squashed-faced breeds, Bulldogs, Pugs, etc., snoring and snorting go hand-in-hand.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Are they suspicious of strangers? Do they make good watch dogs?

Yes, Shar Peis are aloof with strangers and make excellent watch dogs. They are defensive of their home and loved ones. They are an independent breed, very owner-oriented. "A plus as well as a minus in the training situation. Independence is a plus because dogs possess the necessary confidence to work at a distance from their handlers, but it's a minus because it sometimes translates into stubbornness". Training sessions should be brief and not with force. Shar Pei respond best to praise and or food reinforcement as a reward for good behavior.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Why do Shar Pei shy away when a person tries to pet them on the head or approaches to quickly?

"The breed's eyes are hooded by skin, which limits its peripheral vision. As a result, they have difficulty seeing people approach from either side until they're almost directly in front of them. The sudden appearance startles the dogs, which causes them to shy away. When approached from the front, Shar Pei don't react this way." Always let the dog sniff your hand and allow him/her time to familiarize themselves with you. Sniffing is a dog's way of making friends just as we say "Hello" or shake hands. Young children especially should be taught how to approach a dog and a child should never approach a dog unless with their parent(s) and the Shar Pei's owner are present.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - What happens if a Shar Pei has a spotted black tongue, is it mix?

If the Shar Pei has a spotted tongue it is a major fault. The tongue should be a bluish black unless it is a dilute in which case a lavender tongue is acceptable. A solid pink tongue is a disqualification.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Why is its tongue black? Do any other breeds also have a black tongue?

The Shar Pei shares this distinctive characteristic with only one other breed, the Chow-Chow, indicating that there may be a common ancestor.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Will adult Shar Pei stay wrinkled like Shar Pei puppies?

No. Shar Pei puppies grow into their wrinkles. Adult Shar Pei tend to retain wrinkle on the forehead, neck, and shoulders. Some adult Shar Pei have more wrinkles than others, and usually the horsecoat Shar Pei has fewer wrinkles than the brushcoat Shar Pei as an adult.

Shar Pei - Dog Lover