Common General & Medical Questions: We have been told by pet stores and vet offices that this breed requires alot of care and you have grease and powder their wrinkles every day. Is it true?
If I had to powder and grease every wrinkle on every dog and puppy that I ever owned, my breeding days would have been short lived. This statement is absolutely untrue, as a matter of fact I find that this breed is of a very low maintenance. Right food, right bathing supplies, and a once a year vet check, should just about do it.
We heard that these dogs always have to have eye surgery?
The Shar Pei have come a long way from the days when almost all the pups and adults suffered from entropion. Over the years breeders have worked hard to upgrade their breeding stock and greatly improve the eyesets of the breed, however it is not a life threatening condition and may still require the attention of a vet familiar with this procedure. I get 75% of my shar pei pups not requiring eye tacks as babies, and still the rest require the eye tacks between 12-18 days of age and even though a puppy does not require eye tacks, this is still no guarantee that dog will never require eye surgery. I have seen a lot of shar pei suffer temporary rolling of the lid due to environment(sunlight, wind, embedded particles in the underlying lid etc.), and sometimes this too has triggered off entropion, however for the most part, our dogs eyes are generally good. This is not the only breed that has a predisposed tendency for this condition - there are close to a dozen other breeds.
We have been told that this breed doesn't live very long. It this true?
The Chinese Shar Pei have an average life span of between 8 to 12 years of age, like all other breeds, that don't fall prey to genetic disorders, cancer and a more common ailment in the breed, amyloidosis. I have many shar pei that have reached the age of 12 years of age, and some have fallen prey to cancer and the genetic disease that we, as breeders, are trying hard to rid the breed of, amyloidosis. Dogs are no different than people, they do get the same diseases as we get, and it just as much a shock to the breeders as it is to the owners, when this type of tragedy happens. A breeder is also at risk when buying new breeding stock, we have the same concerns as our buyers. We must look to possible preventative medicine, when there is a suspicion of cancer or amyloidosis. All breeds, get cancer, we cannot determine whether this will show up in any living being, and I now put puppies and dogs on supplements to their dog food, of fruit, vegetables, yogurt and cottage cheese, and pasta is also aok! We add in the apple cider vinegar to their water. I feel very strongly that alot of internal cancers are caused by environment and diet, however as a breeder I must not ignore the genetic history of the line, and with amyloidosis, genetic history has a great impact on the this disease, and dogs exhibiting this disease should not be bred, however we as breeders, really can only go by the pedigree and the health of our breeding stock, and should a pup show up with signs and symptoms of this disease, then the only alternative is the Colchicine at this point in time. We will all truly, be glad to see the day when a DNA test arrives to test out breeding stock.
What is a flowered tongue?
Most shar pei have a solid blue black tongue, which is one of the traits that the shar pei and chow chow are noted for, but sometimes puppies have cosmetic faults, and one of these cosmetic faults is a blue-black and pink tongue, in otherwords the tongue may be two colours pink and black, or solid pink, the flowered or pink tongue is a major fault, remembering that this is only cosmetic.
Are they a slobbery breed?
Well whether you have kids, or dogs, I personally feel we all own shares in the paper towel and Windex industry! Honestly, from what I have seen, some do , some don't, however either way it's not extreme like the scene from Turner and Hooch. I find maybe when they eat or drink, get excited or hot, then you may want to give their face a wipe, however I don't have a problem with it... they are all different that way.
Is it true that these dogs are fighting dogs, and not good with children?
In all the years that I have bred the Chinese Shar Pei, I have never experienced, a shar pei that was not of a good nature, but then, I only breed good natures (and all my puppies are handled from birth and watched closely for signs of dominance), however I have been involved with behaviour modification with shar pei that are of a more dominating natures. I have raised my children around them since they were toddlers. The feel the answers lies insofar as my experience goes is that dogs are like people, generally, we all get along but there are some that are snobs (an aloof standoffish nature), there are those that are couch potatoes(laid back, don't really care nature), there are the territorial shar pei(which I generally find all unspayed, unneuterd males, and a greater percentage of pet shar pei fall into this category)that are more aggressive to other animals and each other, there are those that are sedate and regal, real prim and proper, that do everything they are supposed to, and there are those that are wild and just have plain lots of energy, however all-in-all a very stable breed. A breeder will be able to determine generally, the character of the puppy, and if the character appears to be a little more aggressive, then behaviour modification, done by the breeder, until the pup has given in to demand. I always recommend obedience training to further educate both owner and dog. As in their standard under temperament - "The Chinese Shar Pei are regal, alert, intelligent, dignified, lordly, scowling, sober and snobbish, essentially independent and somewhat and standoffish to strangers, but extreme in his devotion to his family. The Shar Pei stands firmly on the ground with a calm, confident stature".....and I would never own anything else.
The breed has small ears and we heard they have alot or problems with ear infections.
Yes, the breed do have a generally smaller ear canal than most breeds, however, it hasn't really been a problem, if the ears are cleaned properly on a regular basis. I generally recommend a cotton ball with a little mineral oil and rubbing alcohol and just keep the ear canal clean. If you do run into yeast infections, which can be seasonal, or diet related, then you can up their yogurt intake, use a couple of drops of apple cider vinegar (warmed in the microwave to room temperature), St. John's Wart Oil is a good preventative, and if you do have a full blown yeast infection - we will use Otomax-available through your vet.
We have been told that this breed has a lot of skin problems. Is it true?
I have never had any skin problems and have found diet to largely be the culprit of hair loss, dry coats, and hot spots. Changing diets has alleviated many of these complaints. Foods with soya and beef appear to trigger of these symptoms. Some shar pei experience low thyroid, of which the addition of added kelp to the diet will help. Hair loss is generally experienced when puppies blow their puppy coat, or when a bitch has puppies, or generally when a shar pei is under stress.
How often does shar pei have to be bathed?
When you feel they need it. We use Murphy's Oil Soap for normal coats, and if they are going through a hair loss, dry skin spell, we use Selsun Blue(available at Drug Stores). I you have a shar pei that has an oily coat, with an odour, you can put a few drops of Bleach in their rinse water to kill any bacteria and keep skin clean. General cleanliness works great in keeping them in healthy coats.
Do you recommend crate training for this breed?
I wouldn't leave home without it!!!!It is a must when puppies leave us, that their crate training is maintained by the new owner. Their safety is at stake, and this protects them from getting into mischief that could kill them, not only that, until they have respect for your personal belongings, then this is the way to monitor them in that you are right there to reprimand them for getting into things that they aren't supposed to touch. You will find that they get to know their crates as a place of peace and quiet and accept them usually with no problem at all. Generally we find the shar pei can be trusted to be left alone in the house after eight months of age. Should you ever have to leave your dog in a cage such as the vet's, shows etc., then they are used to this procedure and know it is only temporary.
How are they in the summer and winter?
I find the shar pei does not like the cold or the wet, and generally will do everything they can to avoid dampness, however there are some that do like to play in the snow and water, but generally I find them indoor animals, that are very comfortable just being around their families.
How are they with cats and other dogs or animals in the home?
Generally, when introduced as a puppy, they accept almost anything, and I have never experienced a problem with anyone that has had other animals, however I would not recommend the placement of an adult shar pei in an environment where it was not brought up with other animals, unless the breeder had already assessed the siutation and felt it to be stable.
Does this breed require a lot of exercise?
Generally, I find this breed very adaptable to the lifestyle of the owners, and to be quite honest, my dogs really don't want to go anywhere or do anything unless I am right beside them - I have sold many to condominium dwellers who find they suit their need as apartment dwellers, and people with homes find them suitable for their life style - they will generally take on your exercise schedule, many of them, quite happy, just to go out to relieve themselves, jaunts in the cars, or walks(except in rain or snow, they need a good push)... so generally, I would consider this breed a breed that does not require alot of exercise.
We have talked to many veterinarians and they have told us not to buy this breed, they are nothing but problems?
When I sell a shar pei puppy, I also include, a list of veterinarians who like this breed, understand this breed and have upwards of 250 shar pei in their practice. Generally speaking, between my follow up, and you as a buyer, having me as a breeder to call with questions and concerns, and, a vet who is familiar with this breed, your problems should be under control. Sold through pet stores, brokers and back yard breeders who don't really have the knowledge regarding diet and health issues, a shar pei fed a diet, just for example, with soya in it, can end up with allergies to this food, thus exhibiting skin problems, when not understood, can manifest into more problems, with you the buyer uneducated, and just any vet who really does't know the breed, not really being able to help the situation, I can undertstand why some make these comments. My dogs see the vet once a year for vaccinations, I hardly call this nothing but problems-however, like all breeds, and people, they are not all perfect, and some require more attention than others, every year we breed, we get better at it - you as buyers must also help, by letting us know if you are experiencing problems.
We have heard these dogs snore, is that normal for them?
Well, in my opinion, they wouldn't be a shar pei if they didn,t. All my dogs snore to some degree, some more than others, but none of them are louder than myself, and there is nothing wrong with me! There are certain situations that may require supervision as puppies, such as elongated palate or stenotic nares, but a breeder will be able to generally guide you through this, most pups outgrow these 2 conditions. Stenotic nares(narrow nostrils) warrant a bit closer attention, as these may not allow the dog to breath properly, if you see the nostrils closing when the dog is breathing, and the dog is having a real difficult time breathing, then a small surgical procedure to enlarge the nostrils may be required.
Many callers are looking for a specific colour, but they are uncertain of colour standard of the shar pei - they may want a light one or a dark one - what colours do they come in?
Speaking as a breeder, I could get very technical in colour description, however, I will cover only the basics which would be - shar pei come in many colours creams, reds, fawns, sables, blacks, with the black pigment, including nose, some colours also come with a full black facial mask, that may just include the muzzle or might be black right up to the forehead. We also go into the dilutes which include creams, apricots, 5 point reds, blues, chocolates, remembering the distinguishing feature with the dilutes, is that their nose and body points including toe nails, skin and pads are the same colour in general, as the coat, instead of the black tongue, their tongue is generally classed as lavender, and eyes may be more amber in colour, the lilacs and isabella colours also fall under the dilute shades. Hope this covers the basics.
We bought a shar pei and it has grown up and has lost all its wrinkles and it doesn't have a big face - is it a purebred?
Most shar pei puppies grow into their skin and loose about 75% of their wrinkles. General areas of face(stop, occiput, dewlaps), withers and shoulder area may retain adult wrinkling, and generally the rest of the body becomes quite muscular. Some shar pei are of a finer bone and may be referred to as a bone mouth, there are still lots around, and this particular look of shar pei does not possess a large hippo face and meat mouth, and are not as desired as the meat mouth, but they are still a purebred shar pei, as long as they are registered.
We have a shar pei, it likes to chew everything, what do you recommend?
I class the shar pei as an aggressive chewer and have always found that they love their chew toys, and must have them to deter them from chewing things that they are not supposed to. I find them notorious for picking up everything both in the house and back yard, and you have to watch them, as they especially like to pick up stones, twigs etc. We refrain from giving them pigs ears, hooves and rawhide of any kind as I have had frequent calls from people who have lost a shar pei from choking on these. I strictly recommend the line of nylabone products from Nylabone -the Gallileo Bone - large, Knot-A-Bone - large, and Souper Bone - large (make sure they are not gumabone,- I order a dozen at a time, they last forever, and keep my peis busy for hours, and safe, and I never have any problems with them touching anything else.
How come the shar pei come in different sizes?
The chinese shar pei standard is 18 to 20 inches at the withers(top of shoulders), however, many times, some shar pei may attain a height of over 20 inches or under 18 inches - I consider any shar pei under 18 inches to be a mini pei and many attain 13 - 17 inches full grown height.
How come I get a rash from my shar pei?
The shar pei come with three different types of coat - the traditional horse coat - which is harsh to the touch, and is known to give a temporary rash after touch, the brush coat - which is a longer softer coat, and the bear coat, which is long, and is a major fault in the breed as it resembles the chow coat, long and thick. Many people including myself, do get a small rash up my arms after I have a playing match with certain dogs, it is nothing to worry about if it disappears after about 1/2hour.
What are dewclaws?
Dewclaws are the thumbs of the canine, which serve no purpose at all, except to get in the way, and are best removed. We remove all dewclaws on puppies, this is a breeder decision, however, back dewclaws must be removed, fronts are up to the breeder as they can be shown with these.
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