Wrinkly, puffy, bristly and undeniably unique, the Chinese Shar-Pei is probably the most unusual looking dog you will ever see. These dogs were bred for centuries by the Chinese to serve as guard dogs and hunters. Unfortunately, they were also bred for dogfighting. This explains the harsh bristly coat and extra-thick skin, which were somewhat resistant to bites and scratches. Sadly, because of the breed's history, the Shar-Pei may have a tendency to become aggressive around other animals and sometimes even people.
It's too bad that Shar-Peis can have a pretty bad rap. Those bristly hairs make many of us break out in an itchy rash, and their independent and sometimes headstrong attitudes require plenty of human patience. However, the Shar-Pei can make a wonderful companion. This is an intelligent dog that will form a bond with those he trusts. Proper socialization is the key with this breed. So, before you make a judgment, learn more about the Chinese Shar-Pei , and meet a few in person. It might even be the dog for you. If you already have your own Shar-Pei, tell others about this one-of-a-king dog breed. As always, send in your pictures,
Comments
I used to work for a lady that did breed rescue after she stopped showing her Sharpei. I was only allergic to the horse coat. Most of them that we rescued were really good but there were a few bad ones that were really vicious even toward us.
I have a Shar-pei Golden retriever mix. I adopted her when she was 1-2 yrs old (7yrs ago). She is extremely aggressive towards other animals but will crawl up in a strangers lap any day. I always say she has the Sharpei attitude towards animals, and a retriever attitude towards all people and kids. My only advice when adopting any dog no matter the breed… really get to know the dog before you take them home. See how they interact with other dogs in different situations (leash/no leash) and how they are with adults & kids. I never knew about her aggression till she hurt another dog. We’ve taken classes and gotten no where with her aggression, other than learning that we’re not the only one’s out there. Now we just accept her for the way she is, prevent her from ever being around other animals, and will love her far beyond her years on this planet.