Shar Pei Bear Coat Dog: A Comprehensive Guide to Ownership and Care

The Shar Pei Bear Coat dog is a unique and lovable breed that requires special care and attention. They have a distinctive wrinkled skin that needs regular cleaning and moisturizing to prevent skin problems.

Their short, dense coat sheds very little, but they still need regular grooming to prevent skin irritation and infections. The Bear Coat variety has a rougher, more wiry coat than other Shar Pei varieties.

Shar Pei Bear Coat dogs are generally healthy, but they can be prone to certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia and eye problems. Regular veterinary check-ups are essential to monitor their health and catch any potential issues early.

With proper care and attention, Shar Pei Bear Coat dogs can live up to 12 years or more, making them a long-term companion for many families.

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The Shar Pei bear coat dog has a rich history that spans thousands of years, with its origins dating back to the Han Dynasty in southern China around 200 B.C.

The breed was valued for its versatility, serving as a hunter, herder, guardian, and fighter for peasant farmers.

Statues from the Han Dynasty resemble the Shar Pei, but some historians believe it's an ancient breed, although there's no definitive evidence to prove this.

The Shar Pei was once a popular breed, but war and political turmoil in China in the 20th century took its toll, and by the 1970s, it was close to extinction.

In 1973, a Hong Kong businessman named Matgo Law appealed to the international community to help save the breed, which led to a surge in demand in the United States.

The breed was named the world's rarest breed by The Guinness Book of Records in 1978, with only 60 remaining.

The Shar Pei was accepted in the American Kennel Club Miscellaneous Class in 1988 and recognized by the AKC in 1991 as a member of the Non-Sporting Group.

Some breeders in Hong Kong maintain the traditional "bone-mouth" type, although it's estimated that only 50 to 100 examples of this type remain.

The miniature Shar Pei, bred for its smaller size and increased wrinkles, stands to a maximum of 40 centimeters (16 in) tall.

The Shar Pei is a unique breed that's instantly recognizable by its loose, wrinkled skin, especially as puppies. This feature is one of their most defining traits.

Adult Shar Peis typically stand between 44 and 51 centimetres (17 and 20 in) and weigh between 16 and 20 kilograms (35 and 44 lb). They have a short, very harsh coat that can be any solid colour except white, although black, red, fawn and cream are the most common.

Their head is relatively large compared to their body with a broad muzzle that usually darker than the rest of the coat and well padded causing a bulge at its base. The breed's ears are set wide apart and are small and triangular.

Shar Peis are known for their loyalty and protective instincts, making them excellent guard dogs and devoted companions. They are also independent dogs and can be somewhat aloof with strangers.

Their coat can be either "horse-coat" (short and bristly) or "brush-coat" (slightly longer and smoother). This dual coat type is unique among dog breeds.

Here are some key characteristics of the Shar Pei breed:

The Shar Pei Bear Coat requires regular skin cleaning to prevent skin diseases and conditions. A daily wipe to clean the folds of their skin is essential to keep them healthy.

Their short noses make them prone to overheating, so keeping them cool during summer is vital. This can be achieved by keeping them inside with fans or air conditioning.

Some common health issues in Shar Pei Bear Coats include hypothyroidism, ear infections, and entropion. Regular grooming and veterinary check-ups can help prevent and manage these conditions.

To keep your Shar Pei Bear Coat's skin healthy, a weekly brush is recommended. Regular checks around damp areas, like around their nose and mouth, are also necessary to prevent skin diseases.

Here is a list of common health issues in Shar Pei Bear Coats:

To keep your Shar-Pei healthy and happy, regular grooming is a must. This includes daily wipes to clean the skin folds, especially around the nose and mouth.

Their short noses make them prone to overheating, so keeping them cool during summer is vital. This can be achieved by keeping them inside with fans or air conditioning in hot weather.

A weekly brush should keep the Shar-Pei's coat in check, and they are generally low maintenance when it comes to grooming.

To prevent skin diseases and other conditions, it's essential to establish a regimented skin cleaning routine. This includes regular checks around damp areas, like around their nose and mouth.

Here are some common health issues to be aware of:

Shar-Peis also need regular exercise, but they don't require a large backyard. A daily walk and some playtime should suffice. Begin training and socializing your Shar-Pei the day you bring him home, and commit to continuing the process all his life.

Feeding your Chinese Shar-Pei requires attention to their individual needs, just like people.

The recommended daily amount is 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

Dogs are individuals, and their food needs depend on their size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level.

A highly active dog will need more food than a couch potato dog.

The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference - the better the food, the less you'll need to feed your dog.

For example, a highly active dog will need more food than a less active one, so be sure to adjust their portion accordingly.

The quality of dog food is crucial, and buying the right food is essential for your dog's nourishment.

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The Shar-Pei is a devoted family dog who is protective of his family, including children. To best teach him to get along with kids, he should be raised with them; if he doesn’t live with them, he should be exposed to children as he grows up.

The Shar-Pei is an independent breed, best suited to families with children 10 and older who know how to treat a pet respectfully. Always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling.

It's essential to teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and never to approach any dog while he’s eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog’s food away. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child.

If your Shar-Pei is consistently trained and socialized from a very young age, reactivity shouldn’t be a problem for families with teens or toddlers. Adult supervision is always recommended when a young child is playing with any breed of dog.

The Shar-Pei may react to an uncomfortable touch from toddlers, so it’s essential to make sure everyone engaging with your dog is being respectful. This breed would be best for families with older children who can learn to respect the dog’s space and needs.

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The average lifespan of a dog can vary depending on the breed, but some breeds are known to live longer than others. The Shar-Pei breed has an average lifespan of 8 to 12 years.

Bernese mountain dogs, on the other hand, have a shorter average lifespan, but with proper care and attention, many owners have reported their dogs living well into their 10s.

The Shar-Pei bear coat dog comes in three sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy.

A full-grown Standard adult Shar-Pei can stand between 18 to 22 inches tall.

These dogs typically weigh between 40 to 60 pounds.

Their height can vary depending on the size, but generally, they're a relatively compact breed.

An adult Miniature Shar-Pei will fall between 15 to 18 inches tall.

Their weight range is similar to the Standard size, between 40 to 60 pounds.

The Toy Shar-Pei would be under 15 inches tall, making them the smallest of the three sizes.

The Shar-Pei bear coat dog is known for being extremely devoted to his family, but aloof with people he doesn’t know.

This loyal companion is a natural guard dog, protective of his family and responsive to threats, but can be aggressive toward other canines.

Early socialization is crucial to help your Shar-Pei puppy grow up to be a well-rounded dog, and enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start.

The Shar-Pei breed is known for being extremely devoted to their family, but aloof with people they don’t know.

They are also very alert and self-reliant, which can sometimes make them seem like a slow-paced sleep pup, but don't be fooled.

Shar-Peis are naturally protective of their family and can be excellent guard dogs, but this strong protective instinct can also make them wary of strangers.

Early socialization is essential to help your Shar-Pei puppy grow up to be a well-rounded dog that can behave properly in public. This can be achieved by enrolling them in a puppy kindergarten class, inviting visitors over regularly, and taking them to busy parks and stores that allow dogs.

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They are also very independent and strong-willed, which means they can be stubborn at times, but this makes them loyal and devoted to their owner.

Their incredible hearing makes them brilliant guardians of the home, alerting their owners to any potential dangers, but this can also lead to barking at almost anything, which might not be ideal for neighbors.

Children who are similar to Shar-Pei dogs in terms of their independent nature and tendency to get bored easily will enjoy toys that challenge them and keep them engaged.

Toys that encourage active play and mental stimulation are ideal for kids who have a lot of energy and curiosity.

These types of toys will help keep them from getting into mischief and create opportunities for bonding time between child and parent.

Items like puzzle toys and interactive games will get kids playing and thinking critically.

However, just like Shar-Pei dogs, children can also get bored with toys quickly, so it's essential to introduce new and exciting options regularly.

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The Shar-Pei Bear Coat dog is a unique breed that requires a thoughtful approach to training. They're not known for their intelligence, but rather for their stubborn and dominant nature, making it a challenge to teach them commands.

Training a Shar-Pei needs to start at a very early age and be consistent for progress. This breed may be better suited for seasoned dog owners or those who are very patient.

Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind when training your Shar-Pei:

With consistent training and patience, you can help your Shar-Pei become a well-behaved and loving companion.

Bear Coat Shar Pei's are immensely intelligent dogs and so love to be mentally stimulated.

Playing with your Shar Pei for a few minutes a day with some intricate dog toys is something that they will love.

Training sessions that are game-like will go down well, especially any games that involve problem-solving and tasks to be done.

A dog puzzle is a sure fire way to keep them entertained while you run to the grocery store quickly.

This particular breed is very smart, and they can also be very stubborn.

Items, such as Tug Toys and Fetch Toys, will get your pal playing.

However, Shar-Pei dogs are independent and can get bored easily, so they may simply stop responding to the toys and move on to something else.

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Mental and physical stimulation keeps your dog from destructive behavior and playing creates an opportunity for bonding time between dog and owner.

The Shar-Pei breed isn't exactly known for their intelligence, but rather for their stubborn and dominant nature. They can be quite challenging to train, especially for inexperienced dog owners.

Training a Shar-Pei needs to start at a very early age and be consistent for progress. This breed may be better suited for seasoned dog owners or those who are very patient.

Early socialization is crucial for Shar-Pei puppies, as it will help them at the dog park, training classes, and everywhere else. Without proper socialization, they may develop fears or aggression towards new people and dogs.

To effectively train a Shar-Pei, patience is key. Positive reinforcement is also essential, as it lets your pup know they're achieving desired results.

A Shar-Pei is a great medium-sized dog that can comfortably live in a family home or in a city center apartment.

They can keep up on a fun jog or hike, making them perfect for active owners.

However, they are prone to overheating, so it's essential to keep them in moderate temperatures to avoid sweating and skin issues.

A tall fenced-in yard or an apartment near a dog park is ideal for regular exercise, as they can easily gain weight if they don't get enough physical activity.

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The Shar Pei Bear Coat is a unique and loving companion, but like all breeds, it's not immune to certain health issues. They can live up to 11 years old, but their short noses make them prone to overheating, so keeping them cool during summer is vital.

Their skin folds on their face can lead to entropion, a painful eye condition where their eyelashes curl inward, irritating their eye. If untreated, it can cause blindness.

The Shar Pei Bear Coat is also prone to hypothyroidism, which can lead to further conditions like epilepsy, obesity, and hair loss. Ear infections are another common issue with their longer hair sometimes helping collect and trap debris in their ears.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common problem in the Shar Pei and is suspected to be hereditary. A review of over 250,000 elbow scans in North America found a 24% of Shar-Peis over the age of 2 to suffer from elbow dysplasia.

Here are some common skin conditions that affect the Shar Pei Bear Coat:

The Shar Pei Bear Coat is one of the more commonly affected breeds for primary open angle glaucoma, with a 4.4% prevalence compared to 0.71% for mixed-breeds.

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