The shar pei is a very special breed of dog, known worldwide for the wrinkles that shape its body. Of Chinese and American origin, this popular and popular dog in all regions is also considered a status symbol.
On this page of Animal Expert we will explain everything about shar pei: its origin, its physical characteristics, its personality, its education and some of its most common diseases.
- Read on and find out what a shar pei really is.
- What your needs are and finally decide whether to adopt a dog of these characteristics or.
- On the contrary.
- Keep looking for your best friend:.
Shar pei is a dog of Asian origin. He is believed to have been born in the South China Sea during the Hang dynasty and his ancestors were Tibetan doge and chow chow.It is believed to be one of the oldest Chinese breeds out there and some believe it dates back to 200 BC.C. There are also beliefs of possible Tibetan origin.
For much of its existence, it has been used essentially as a watchdog, fighting dog, hunting dog and shepherd dog, as it is a very intelligent animal. He had no trouble adapting to the various tasks entrusted to him.
In the twentieth century, the shar pei was losing popularity, I want it because of the wars and hunger that plagued the country, finally, in 1940, the state decreed that dogs were considered a luxury and that they should be used as food for hungry people to survive This was the beginning of Yulin, the controversial dog meat festival that began to become popular in the 1990s.
The breed was saved thanks to a small group of people who decided to export the shar pei to other countries during the year 1960, the United States being the country to which most dogs went.
The shar pei is recognized as an official breed and belongs to the fcI II group: bulldog type moose dog. There are several lines of shar pei, although the most popular are undoubtedly the American one and the so-called “traditional” of Chinese origin.
It is a medium dog, compact and robust. It measures about 44-51 centimeters on the cross, a size that can vary by sex: males are usually larger than females. On the other hand, its weight is around 18-30 kg, we are talking about a dog of medium size.
Its best known physical characteristic is the shape of its skin, full of wrinkles and a little greasy, which has benefited him greatly in his time as a fighting dog. Other features include small ears, dark eyes and a round tail. There is shar pei in all colors: blue, grey, white, beige …
Shar pei has a special temperament: on the one hand, we find a quiet dog, peaceful and very faithful, affectionate with his family, to which he cares, respects and protects from everything. He is, in general, a relaxed and obedient dog.
On the other hand, the shar pei is a somewhat independent dog, which does not need the constant attention required by other breeds of dogs. That’s an important factor to consider. However, keep in mind that any dog, regardless of breed, can develop one personality or another.
To begin with, it should be noted that this dog needs a rich and quality diet, if possible based on fish and rice, which is due to its very sensitive stomach and its propensity to suffer allergies. Fish and rice diets offer better digestibility.
On the other hand, keep in mind that it is not good to oversatte your shar pei: at most, you should bathe every month and a half. Water and soap remove the layer of body fat it has, which is used to isolate and protect the dog. Be attentive and dry the dog completely, after a bath or a walk in the rain this is very important to avoid the appearance of fungi. Look closely at the hidden space between wrinkles, where fungi tend to attack more.
Although the shar pei is very grateful for the warmth of the sun, you have to make sure it doesn’t burn. Likewise, it is advisable to adequately protect the dog from the cold with shelters.
Shar pei has a very special fur known as horse fur because it is short near the body. It also has a thicker layer of fat than other breeds. These details, in addition to the grooves that cause the folds, favor the appearance of fungi and other problems related to the skin of the shar pei.
Dryness, dermatitis or entropion (skin that forms in the lower and upper eyelids of the animal) are other diseases related to wrinkles that can affect the dog.
Outra doença muito conhecida que afeta esta raça é a febre do shar pei. Observar regularmente o seu estado de saúde e visitar o veterinário a casa 6 meses são boas formas de prevenir esses problemas. Também é indispensável ter a vacinação do cachorro atualizada, assim como a desparasitação interna e externa.
Shar pei is a smart dog, although in some situations it can be a bit stubborn. You need to actively work on your education and training to train a sociable and friendly dog:
During your puppy phase, you should practice socializing, a step in which you have to show your dog shar pei different types of people, animals and objects. The objective of this phase is to enrich the knowledge of the dog’s environment to ensure a sociable, supportive and respectful attitude, avoiding fears or aggressions in the future.
On the other hand, your intelligence will be of great help to you in your training phase. The tutor should be able to teach basic training commands, such as: sit, lie down, shut up, come … These are essential for your safety and for you to obey them, as well as helping to create a stronger emotional bond with the dog.
You should never use physical punishment with this dog. All your education must always be based on positive reinforcement. Once you’ve learned the basics, you can teach your shar pei how to do more fun or challenging tricks, and you can even start with agility.
Giving time, patience and affection to the education and training of the shar pei dog is fundamental and very important. Similarly, you need to maintain a constant in your routine and day-to-day life that allows you to feel safe.