Over 2,000 years ago, during the Han Dynasty, in China, the Shar-Pei breed was first developed. The distinctive features of this breed include a broad, thickened muzzle, a bluish-black tongue, small eyes and ears, and numerous skin folds, particularly on the face, neck, and shoulders.
Dogs of the Shar-Pei breed typically weigh 45 to 60 pounds and stand 18 to 20 inches tall. At first, Chinese farmers used Shar-Peis to guard and herd their livestock, but by the 1900s, they were also employed for boar hunting and home security. Today’s Shar-Peis can make devoted companions, but like all breeds, they require early socialization and proper training to learn appropriate behavior around people, other animals, and kids.
Shar-Pei dogs can be wonderful companions, but novice pet owners shouldn’t get one. Although very smart, they can be stubborn and, if they aren’t trained and socialized early, they may develop a fear of strangers and anxiety when they are away from home. Early puppy and obedience training is crucial for this breed to pursue in order to stop undesirable behaviors that result from anxiety and fear.
Shar-Pei are laid-back dogs that don’t require much exercise. They take pleasure in taking short strolls and are content living in a small house or apartment because there is less space for them to exercise. When around caregivers, they are very affectionate dogs, but when they perceive a threat, they can protect their loved ones. It’s crucial to give young children and pets supervised introductions so they learn that unfamiliar people and animals aren’t frightening.
Prior to bringing home a Shar-Pei puppy, be aware of the health issues this breed is prone to.
Although a Shar-Pei’s facial wrinkles are adorable, entropion, a condition where the eyelids roll inward, can result from them. When this happens, the eye’s cornea, which is made of fur on the eyelids and eyelashes, can become damaged. This condition is excruciatingly painful and may result in corneal ulcers.
Surgery can treat entropion, which is typically detected in Shar-Pei puppies under a year old.
A genetic mutation that results in Shar-Pei fever, also known as swollen hock syndrome, is more prevalent in dogs with excessive skin folds. It results in an abrupt onset of high fevers, lethargy, ankle swelling, and a loss of appetite that may last for one to two days at a time. These fevers can range from 103 F to 107 F and go away on their own in two days.
Fever can be very harmful to a Shar-Pei’s health over time because it can cause renal amyloidosis. Proteins called amyloid build up in the kidneys and frequently cause kidney failure. This condition requires the completion of a number of diagnostic tests, including bloodwork, urinalysis, blood pressure, abdominal ultrasound, and kidney biopsy.
Since Shar-Pei fever spreads quickly and kidney damage cannot be undone once it has been done, treatment is typically ineffective. Giving your Shar-Pei a prescribed renal diet, subcutaneous fluids, and some oral medications may provide temporary relief. It is possible to test Shar-Pei dogs to see if they have the Shar-Pei fever gene. Shar-Pei that have this genetic mutation should not be bred.
The skin folds of a Shar-Pei serve as a haven for yeast and bacteria. These skin folds trap moisture and lead to skin infections.
It’s crucial to check these folds once to twice a week when taking care of a Shar-Pei. You should take your dog to the vet if the skin between the folds develops a skin infection and turns moist, red, crusty, black, or has an odor. To keep the skin between these folds clean and infection-free, the veterinarian may advise medicated wipes or shampoo.
In addition, Shar-Pei dogs are susceptible to pododermatitis, an infection and inflammation of the skin between their toes. This could be caused by an issue with their hair follicles, allergies, demodex (a skin mite), or hypothyroidism (an endocrine disorder).
Due to their irritated skin, Shar-Peis with pododermatitis tend to lick their feet excessively. The skin between the toes becomes red, moist, and vulnerable to bacterial and yeast infections as a result of this constant licking. If you notice your Shar-Pei licking excessively, look at his feet. If the skin looks infected, make an appointment with your veterinarian. A cone or E-collar can stop any further toe-licking until the vet visit.
Due to their breed’s extremely small ear canals, which trap moisture and provide the ideal environment for yeast and bacteria to grow, Shar-Peis are prone to ear infections. Every one to two weeks for maintenance, clean your Shar-Pei’s ears with a regular ear cleaner that includes a drying agent to reduce the possibility of an infection. When you first bring home your Shar-Pei puppy, include ear cleaning in your regular routine to help them get used to the procedure.
A Shar-Pei puppy should be fed a medium-breed, premium puppy formula that is high in calories during its first 12 months of life in order to promote healthy growth. When your puppy turns one, you should gradually switch the diet to an adult medium-breed dog formula over the course of five to seven days. A Shar-Pei should transition to a senior diet containing joint support at the age of seven.
Two meals per day, one in the morning and one in the evening, should be given to Shar-Pei dogs. Buy a slow feeder bowl if your Shar-Pei eats too quickly to help them chew their food more slowly.
Features:
Small triangular ears, a short, broad nose, a normal mouth, and a long, high-set tail complete this creature’s appearance.
Average Height and Weight by Age: What to Expect?
Since your Shar-Pei will continue to grow and develop, there is no real way to predict its size. Furthermore, it is impossible to predict with certainty when it will stop growing. However, by observing how other Shar-Peis grow and developing, we can estimate the typical size your Shar-Pei will be as it matures.
Please keep in mind that each dog, including yours, is unique and may not conform to this average. But chances are, it will fit close to it. See the table below if you want to know how your Shar-Pei’s growth will progress.
The following table displays the typical height of Shiba Inus for both sexes starting at the second month of development:
| Age | Male Height | Female Height |
| 2 months | 7 – 10 inches (17.7 – 25.4 cm) | 6 – 9 inches (15.2 – 22.9 cm) |
| 3 months | 11.5 – 13 inches (29.2 – 33 cm) | 11 – 12.5 inches (27.9 – 31.8 cm) |
| 4 months | 13 – 15 inches (33 – 38.1 cm) | 13.5 – 15.5 inches (34.3 – 39.4 cm) |
| 5 months | 14 – 16 inches (35.6 – 40.6 cm) | 14 – 16 inches (35.6 – 40.6 cm) |
| 6 months | 14.5 – 16.5 inches (36.8 – 41.9 cm) | 14.5 – 16.5 inches (36.8 – 41.9 cm) |
| 7 months | 15 – 17 inches (38.1 – 43.2 cm) | 15 – 17 inches (38.1 – 43.3 cm) |
| 8 months | 15 – 17 inches (38.1 – 43.2 cm) | 15 – 17 inches (38.1 – 43.3 cm) |
| 9 months | 15.5 – 17.5 inches (39.4 – 44.5 cm) | 15.5 – 17.5 inches (39.4 – 44.5 cm) |
| 10 months | 16 – 18 inches (40.6 – 45.7 cm) | 15.5 – 17.5 inches (39.4 – 44.5 cm) |
| 11 months | 16.5 – 18.5 inches (41.9 – 47 cm) | 16 – 18 inches (40.6 – 45.7 cm) |
| 12 months | 17 – 19 inches (43.2 – 48.3 cm) | 16.5 – 18.5 inches (41.9 – 47 cm) |
| Fully Grown (14 – 18 months) | 18 – 20 inches (45.7 – 50.8 cm) | 17 – 19 inches (43.2 – 48.3 cm) |
The following table displays the average weight of Shiba Inus for both sexes starting at the first month of life:
| Age | Male Weight | Female Weight |
| 1 month | 5 – 9 pounds (2.3 – 4.1 kg) | 4 – 8 pounds (1.8 – 3.6 kg) |
| 2 months | 12 – 15 pounds (5.4 – 6.8 kg) | 10 – 14 pounds (4.4 – 6.4 kg) |
| 3 months | 21 – 25 pounds (9.5 – 11.3 kg) | 16 – 21 pounds (7.2 – 9.5 kg) |
| 4 months | 27 – 33 pounds (12.2 – 15 kg) | 21.5 – 27 pounds (9.8 – 12.2 kg) |
| 5 months | 34 – 40 pounds (15.4 – 18.1 kg) | 25 – 34 pounds (11.3 – 15.4 kg) |
| 6 months | 38 – 44 pounds (17.2 – 20 kg) | 29 – 39 pounds (13.2 – 17.7 kg) |
| 7 months | 42 – 51 pounds (19.1 – 23.1 kg) | 31.5 – 43 pounds (14.3 – 19.5 kg) |
| 8 months | 45 – 54 pounds (20.4 – 24.5 kg) | 33.5 – 46 pounds (15.2 – 20.9 kg) |
| 9 months | 47 – 57 pounds (21.3 – 24.9 kg) | 34.5 – 48.5 pounds (15.6 – 22 kg) |
| 10 months | 49.5 – 59 pounds (22.5 – 26.8 kg) | 35 – 50 pounds (15.9 – 22.6 kg) |
| 11 months | 51 – 60.5 pounds (23.1 – 27.4 kg) | 35.5 – 50.5 pounds (16.1 – 22.9 kg) |
| 12 months | 51.5 – 61 pounds (23.3 – 27.7 kg) | 36.6 – 51.5 pounds (16.6 – 23.5 kg) |
| Fully Grown (14 – 18 months) | 55 – 65 pounds (24.9 – 29.5 kg) | 40 – 55 pounds (18.1 – 24.9 kg) |
A Shar-Pei’s growth is gradual and will take more than a year to complete, as shown in the table above. So, after a few months, if you notice that your dog is not growing as big as other Shar-Peis, do not become alarmed. Just enjoy your dog while they’re still a puppy and watch them grow into adults.
Up until it is fully grown, your Shar-Pei will gain a few pounds each month. And after the third month, it will continue to grow taller at a very slow rate.
This is due to the fact that your dog is currently “filling out,” as opposed to growing exponentially taller. Your dog may only gain 2 inches (5 cm) in height in three months. 1 cm), but that’s okay.
How Big Do Shar-Peis Get When Fully Grown?
Each dog breed reaches an average size at maturity. Each has been investigated and found to be accurate. However, a dog will only grow to its full potential if it receives the proper care. This means that if you provide your Shar-Pei with the best care, it will only grow to be as big as it should be when fully grown.
Male Shar-Peis can weigh up to 65 pounds (29 kilograms) when fully grown. 5 kg) and reach a height of 20 inches (50. 8 cm). The female’s size can be up to 55 pounds (24. 9 kg) in weight and 19 inches (48. 3 cm) in height. However, keep in mind that these are just average sizes and that yours may expand beyond these figures.
At around 16 months, your Shar-Pei would have reached its full size. And you shouldn’t worry too much if your dog at this age is not as big or falls outside of the size range you’ve seen here. The fact is, every dog is different and unique.
Everything is fine as long as your Shar-Pei is healthy and your veterinarian certifies that they are a healthy weight. Also, keep in mind that statistics can deceive you, so it is dangerous to place all your trust in them.
FAQ
Is a Shar-Pei a good family dog?
Even as adults, shar-pei dogs retain their distinctive wrinkles around the head, neck, and shoulders and never fully fill out into their skin. Shar-peis are intelligent, devoted, and fiercely protective, making them excellent guard dogs. However, they also have a calm temperament that makes them wonderful family pets.
What 2 breeds make a Shar-Pei?
Originating in China, the Han Dog gave rise to two distinct breeds: the Chow, which is a larger, heavier dog, and the Shar Pei, which is a smaller, wrinkled dog that was used for combat.
Is a Shar-Pei a large breed dog?
The compact, medium-sized Chinese Shar-Pei is a combination of odd physical characteristics, including a broad “hippopotamus” muzzle, a blue-black tongue, small, sunken eyes with a scowling expression, tiny triangular ears, and plenty of folds of loose skin around the head, neck, and shoulders, all of which are covered by a harsh, harsh coat.
Do Shar-Pei like to cuddle?
The best environments for Shar-peis are those with adults who value their independence and with kids who can respect their boundaries. They can like to cuddle, but on their own terms.