The Chinese Shar Pei Wrinkles: A Comprehensive Guide

The Chinese Shar Pei breed is known for its unique wrinkled skin, which is a result of a genetic trait that causes the skin to fold and crease as the dog ages.

This wrinkling can start as early as 6-8 weeks old and becomes more pronounced with age.

The wrinkles can be deep and numerous, with some Shar Peis having over 200 wrinkles on their face alone.

As a responsible dog owner, it's essential to keep the wrinkles clean and dry to prevent skin infections.

A fresh viewpoint: English Bulldog Wrinkles

Caring for a Chinese Shar Pei requires attention to their unique needs, particularly their wrinkles. They need to be cleaned and dried often to prevent infections.

You should brush their coat at least weekly, and their teeth at least twice a week to keep them healthy. Regular ear cleaning is also essential, even as a puppy.

To prevent skin issues, feed a high-quality diet and keep their diet consistent. Avoid giving them people food, and exercise them regularly but don't overdo it at first. They can be sensitive to warm weather, so avoid prolonged exposure and watch for signs of heat stress.

Here are some essential grooming tasks to keep your Shar Pei clean and healthy:

They are a wash and wear breed, but they do shed year-round, so be prepared to clean up puppy fur on your furniture.

The Chinese Shar Pei wrinkles are a unique feature of this breed, but let's talk about what makes them tick - their temperament and personality.

They're often described as cat-like, preferring to do things on their own terms. Shar Peis are highly intelligent and alert, making them excellent watchdogs.

Their loyalty is unmatched, and they'll often follow you everywhere, even to the shower. They might not always want to snuggle, but they'll stay close to keep an eye on things.

Shar Peis can be aloof with strangers and may take time to warm up to new people and animals. Early socialization is crucial to help them feel comfortable in new situations.

With patience, kindness, and consistent training, Shar Peis can learn to trust strangers and even become great with children. However, they're not naturally trusting of kids, and it's essential to monitor interactions between Shar Peis and small children.

You might enjoy: New York Bernese Mountain Dog Breeders

The Shar Pei is an intelligent breed that's often described as cat-like, meaning they come and go as they please. They're highly alert and wary of outsiders, making them excellent watchdogs.

Shar Peis are independent and can be stubborn, requiring clear rules and boundaries to thrive. They're not the best fit for first-time owners or homes without experience with strong, protective canines.

They're surprisingly loving with their people, but may take time to warm up to strangers. With patience and consistent training, they can learn to trust and even love new people.

Early socialization is key to helping Shar Peis understand that strangers aren't a threat. This can be achieved through careful exposure to new people, places, and experiences.

Shar Peis are not naturally trusting of children and require close supervision when interacting with kids. They're also mildly playful, but can be unpredictable, making them better suited for homes with older children or considerate kids.

Related reading: When Is the Best Time to Breed a Dog

They're highly devoted to their family and can be very protective of their loved ones. However, they may not always want to snuggle or be affectionate on demand.

Consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement are essential when training a Shar Pei. They may take time to learn new things, especially if they're an adult dog.

Shar Peis are known to be regal and aloof, often doing things on their own terms. They're not the type to fawn or beg for attention, making them a great fit for owners who appreciate their independence.

Ralphie the Fawn Shar Pei is a great example of the breed's adorable wrinkles. Ralphie is a two-year-old fawn Shar Pei from California.

Fawn Shar Peis like Ralphie have a lighter and more golden coat color than their red counterparts. Their wrinkles are a defining feature of the breed.

Fawn sable Shar Peis have a lovely strawberry blonde base coat with brown or black tips. This unique coloring adds to their charm.

See what others are reading: Boston Terrier Fawn

The Chinese Shar Pei wrinkles are a distinctive feature of this breed, but unfortunately, they come with some health concerns. Shar Peis are prone to a range of health issues, including eye problems.

Glaucoma, retinal dysplasia, entropion, and SARDS are just a few of the eye issues that can affect Shar Peis. Skin problems, respiratory issues, heart problems, and joint issues are also common.

Around 20% of Shar Peis have a condition called Shar Pei Fever, or Shar Pei Recurrent Fever Syndrome, which can cause episodes of fever and internal damage. This condition can shorten a dog's life.

The typical Shar Pei lifespan is 8-12 years, but with proper care and attention, many Shar Peis can live well into their teens. However, regular veterinary check-ups are crucial to catch any potential health issues early on.

Shar-pei fever is a breed-specific illness that can cause periodic fevers, swollen hock joints, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and shallow breathing. Treatment is available, but it can be pricey, and careful breeding and screening can help reduce the risk.

If this caught your attention, see: Dog Diseases That Cause Hair Loss

Here are some common health issues to be aware of in Shar Peis:

Regular veterinary care, proper nutrition, and a safe living environment can go a long way in keeping your Shar Pei healthy and happy.

If you're considering bringing a Chinese Shar Pei into your family, be prepared for a loyal companion. They are known to form strong bonds with their owners.

Their origin dates back to the Han Dynasty, where they were bred as hunting companions and guard dogs. This ancient heritage has shaped their temperament and physical characteristics.

Chinese Shar Peis are generally quiet dogs, but they do require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. A daily walk and playtime should suffice.

Their distinctive wrinkles require regular cleaning to prevent skin infections. This maintenance task is essential to keep your Shar Pei looking and feeling its best.

If you're looking for a Chinese Shar Pei puppy, consider checking out the American Kennel Club marketplace for reputable breeders and purebred puppies.

Before making a purchase, take a moment to explore adoption options and look into local Shar Pei rescues.

You can find Shar Pei rescues through organizations like North American Shar Pei Rescue, Mid-Atlantic Chinese Shar-Pei Rescue Operation, and Petfinder.

These resources can help you find a loving Shar Pei companion and give a second chance to a dog in need.

Owning a Chinese Shar Pei requires a significant investment in time and resources. The breed's average lifespan is 12-18 years, so you'll need to consider the long-term commitment.

In terms of space, Chinese Shar Peis need room to move around and exercise. They require at least a 1/4 acre of land to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

Their short coats are relatively low maintenance, but they still need regular grooming to prevent skin problems. A weekly brush and occasional bath are essential.

Chinese Shar Peis are prone to health issues like skin fold dermatitis and hip dysplasia, so regular veterinary check-ups are crucial.

The Shar Pei's appearance is quite unique, with a medium-sized body that stands around 18–20 inches tall and weighs in at around 45–60 pounds. Their square, compact body is covered in coarse, sandpapery fur that comes in a variety of solid and sable colors, excluding white.

Their head features a broad "hippopotamus" muzzle, small, flat-lying triangular ears, and a blue-black tongue. Their small, dark, slightly sunken eyes complete their picture. The high-set tail curls around and over their back, or to either side of the back.

As Shar Pei puppies grow, their wrinkles become more pronounced, especially around 14 weeks old. However, as they mature, they tend to grow out of their wrinkles, at least to some extent – some Shar Peis remain quite wrinkled, while others end up with just a few folds at the neck.

The body type of this animal is quite distinctive. Known for the folds of loose skin covering its body, especially its head, which gives it a permanent frown.

Its high-set, thick tail curls over the back, or to either side of the back, and is not altered.

Broaden your view: Straight Backed German Shepherds

The Shar Pei's coat is quite unique. It comes in solid cream, fawn, red, black, and chocolate colors.

The horse coat is short, while the brush coat is harsh and about one-inch long. This texture is quite distinctive and sets the breed apart.

A Shar Pei's wrinkles are a defining feature, and they must be present at all ages. In fact, the breed has more wrinkles as a baby than when it's older.

To keep the folds free of fungal or bacterial infections, a great deal of care is required. This means regular cleaning and monitoring of the skin is essential.

The Chinese Shar-Pei is a medium-sized dog with a square, compact body.

Her coarse, sandpapery fur comes in a variety of solid and sable colors, excluding white. The coat can also be three lengths: short, known as a brush coat, or long, a bear coat shar-pei.

Her head features a broad "hippopotamus" muzzle, small, flat-lying, triangular ears, and a blue-black tongue. Small, dark, slightly sunken eyes complete this pooch's picture.

A high-set tail curls around and over her back, or to either side of the back, and is not altered.

Those photo-ready wrinkles are most abundant when shar-pei puppies are around 14 weeks old. As they get older, these dogs grow out of their wrinkles, at least to some extent.

Permissible colors for the Shar Pei coat are solid cream, fawn, red, black, and chocolate.

Here are the different coat lengths found in this breed:

Shar Peis are medium-sized dogs standing around 18–20 inches tall and weighing in at around 45–60 pounds. Their compact build makes them a great fit for apartment living or homes with small yards.

LeRoy the Red Sable has a stunning coat with a red base coat and brown or black tips. This beautiful red sable bear coat is a result of the Shar Pei's unique genetic makeup.

Red sable Shar Peis like LeRoy are sometimes mistaken for Chow Chows, but they are distinctly different dog breeds.

In China, the breed's blue-black tongue and wrinkly skin were believed to have spiritual significance, thought to frighten away evil spirits. This ancient superstition highlights the Shar Pei's special place in Chinese culture.

Interestingly, the breed's unique features were once considered valuable enough to be listed as fantasy gifts in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book in 1983, with each pair costing a whopping $2000.

The Shar Pei is an ancient Chinese fighting dog that's made a remarkable comeback from near-extinction.

In 1978, it was considered the rarest breed in the world, with only a handful of dogs remaining in Hong Kong.

The Shar Pei's history dates back centuries, with statues from the Han Dynasty showing a wrinkled dog that resembles the breed around 200 B.C.

A 13th century document describes the dog, solidifying its presence in southern China.

The Shar Pei was once a working dog, helping Chinese peasants with tasks like hunting, herding, and guarding livestock and land.

After the People's Republic of China rose to power in 1949, the number of dogs as a whole dwindled, and the Shar Pei was nearly extinct by 1973.

A Hong Kong businessman named Matgo Law helped save the breed by reaching out to the international community, and Life Magazine featured a Shar Pei on its cover in the late 1970s.

The Shar Pei's price tag of $3,000 per puppy in the late 1970s made it a status symbol, but by the following year, the official breed club held its first meeting, and the U.S market for Shar Pei puppies boomed.

In China, the breed's blue-black tongue and wrinkly skin were believed to have a special purpose - to frighten away evil spirits. This superstition highlights the cultural significance of the breed in its country of origin.

A pair of shar-pei puppies was once listed as a luxury gift in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, with a price tag of $2000 each in 1983.

Here's what I found interesting: Did you know that the shortest war in history was between Britain and Zanzibar on August 27, 1896, and lasted only 38 minutes? It's a record that's hard to beat!

The longest word in the English language, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling very fine particles of silica. It has 45 letters and is a mouthful to say!

The Great Wall of China is not visible from space, despite its reputation as being the longest man-made structure in the world. It's a common myth that's been debunked by astronauts and satellite images.

Shar Peis come in a stunning variety of colors, with more than a dozen standard coat colors accepted by the AKC and other kennel clubs.

You can find Shar Peis in solid colors like black, white, and brindle, as well as multi-colored varieties.

Brindle Shar Peis are a popular choice, featuring a distinctive striped pattern of black and brown stripes over a red or fawn background.

Some solid color Shar Peis have slight shade or hue variations in their coats, adding to their unique charm.

Unfortunately, merle Shar Peis are not available, as the merle gene is not standard within this breed.

Reputable breeders will typically only sell Shar Peis with colors and patterns that are recognized by kennel clubs like the AKC.