11 Shar-Pei Pros & Cons: What To Consider Before Bringing One Home

Shar-Peis were developed in China and are known for their bristle-like coat, wrinkled faces, and blue-black tongues. They’re an intelligent breed known for being guarded with strangers and fiercely loyal to their families. What else makes them stand out from the crowd?

It can be tricky to determine if a breed is right for your family, and some potential owners prefer examining a list of pros and cons. So, we’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Shar-Pei so you can decide if they’re right for you.

The 5 Shar-Pei Pros

1. Suitable for Apartment Living

Thanks to their medium, compact size, Shar-Peis are suitable for apartment living. They weigh around 45–60 pounds and are 18–20 inches tall. Additionally, they have minimal exercise requirements, so provided they get a daily walk of about one hour, they will be satisfied. They will need the opportunity to sniff and explore, so keep your walks varied to engage their minds.

2. Naturally Clean

Shar-Peis don’t enjoy getting dirty and have an aversion to water, so it’s unlikely that you’ll find them rolling around in muddy puddles.

3. Quiet

Another way Shar-Peis are suited to apartment living is they are relatively quiet. They don’t bark much. However, they have been known to bark when feeling threatened or if they feel the need to protect their families.

4. Fiercely Loyal

Shar-Peis are known for being loyal. They’re affectionate with everyone in the family and do best with older children with the proper socialization. They will pick a favorite human within their family and bond most closely with them.

5. Moderate Grooming Required

There aren’t many grooming requirements for a Shar-Pei’s coat. They have short, smooth fur and will only need a bath as required, which isn’t very often, considering they are naturally clean. The condition of their fur is thought to have been bred on purpose. Originally, Shar-Peis were bred for hunting and fighting, and the wrinkles and roughness of their coat would have prevented opponents from getting a good grip.

The 6 Shar-Pei Cons

1. Strong Personalities

Shar-Peis are strong-willed and intelligent, which can make them challenging for new owners. That is why it’s recommended that they are much better suited to an experienced owner who will have the commitment and patience to socialize and train the breed suitably.

2. Can Be Aggressive

There are a few situations where Shar-Peis has been known to be aggressive. For example, if they are in an unfamiliar situation that causes them anxiety, such as a trip to the groomer if they have not been introduced to the environment at a young age. Positive reinforcement, including treats and praise, is an excellent way to put them at ease.

3. High Prey Drive

If they aren’t introduced to smaller animals, like cats, Shar-Peis may chase or try to herd them, as thousands of years ago, they were used to herd livestock in China. It’s important to socialize your Shar-Pei as soon as possible, and if you have other smaller pets, make introductions gradually and supervise all interactions. However, they are better suited to single-pet households.

4. Unsuitable for Allergy Sufferers

Shar-Peis aren’t considered hypoallergenic, and their coarse hair can irritate people with sensitive skin.

5. Prone to Various Health Problems

It’s believed that Shar-Peis were so popular and demand was so high in the 1970s and 1980s that they suffered from unscrupulous overbreeding practices. As a result, there are specific health concerns you should be aware of, such as:

6. Expensive and Rare

Shar-Peis are not only rare, meaning you might spend some time finding a reputable breeder to acquire one, but they are also expensive. Adopting one might be the cheapest option, but they are difficult to find. Their care can also become expensive since they are prone to many health problems.

Conclusion

Shar-Peis are loyal, clean, relatively quiet dogs known for being affectionate with their families and stand-offish with strangers. They are prone to aggression when put in unfamiliar situations and have high prey drives, which is why training and early socialization are so important. They do best with experienced owners who have the time and patience for them.

It might seem like Shar-Peis are more trouble than they’re worth, as our list has more cons than pros, but that isn’t the case. They need the right owner to bring out the best in them. When you do, they’ll be the most loving, loyal dog you could ever ask for.

Featured Image Credit: Sue Thatcher,Shutterstock