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Is this breed Right for You?
Country of Origin: China
Size: The height is
18 to 20 inches at the withers. The weight is 45 to 60 pounds. The dog is
usually larger and more square-bodied than the bitch but both appear well
proportioned.
Coat: The extremely harsh coat is one of
the distinguishing features of the breed. The coat is absolutely straight
and off standing on the main trunk of the body but generally lies somewhat
flatter on the limbs. Acceptable coat lengths may range from extremely
short "horse coat" up to the "brush coat", not to exceed one inch in length
at the withers. Any coat over 1" in length is not desirable. Any solid
color coat is acceptable.
Character: Shar-Pei were used as temple
guards in China. For that reason, it can take them some time to warm to
strangers. They are an extremely loyal family dog, and they love kids.
They are very easy to housebreak, and are often housebroken by 8-10 weeks of
age. They usually do well with other animals. Most Shar-Pei will not be
lap dogs, but prefer to lay quietly at your feet.
Temperament: Regal, alert, intelligent,
dignified, lordly, scowling, sober and snobbish essentially independent and
somewhat standoffish with strangers, but extreme in his devotion to his
family. The Shar-Pei stands firmly on the ground with a calm, confident
stature. They make wonderful family companions, because of their extreme
loyalty to their family.
Care: As with any dog, they need regular
maintenance, e.g. ears checked, bathed and brushing when shedding It
is essential that the nails be trimmed weekly, especially as
puppies. There is no special care needed because of the wrinkles. They do
best when fed a good quality premium dog food.
Training: Shar-Pei are easily trained.
Puppies benefit a great deal from early socialization. Because they have a
somewhat independent nature, people often get the impression that the
Shar-Pei is hard to train, but that just isn't true. Shar-Pei can
successfully compete in obedience, agility, herding, tracking, freestyle
dance, and conformation shows.
Activity: Puppies are more active than
adults. Usually around a year old, they settle into a nice, calm nature.
They do require exercise daily, either on a leash or outdoor play time.
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