Shar Pei ~ Thinking of adopting one

Dogsareme · 08-12-2007, 10:27 PM

I have read up somewhat on Shar Pei's and have been seriously thinking of adopting one. Hopefully between 2 and 4 in age. I understand that they have a few different coats, the horse coat, brush coat, and bear coat. The bear I read is rare to have, so I have opted for the brush coat because I do have allergies and am worried the horse coat would affect me as it is said it effects many allergy sufferers. Just how different is the horse coat to the brush coat? I heard there is very little difference, but I just want to know what you all think? Does anyone have experience with a shar pei that has allergies? Does the horse coat affect you or not?
Anything else anyone has advice wise to offer about the Shar Pei is welcome.

Thank you.

***Cassiepeia*** · 08-13-2007, 12:40 AM

Brush coat is longer and not as harsh as the horse coat. The horse coat can give even people without allergies a rash.
You can see the difference in the coat length if you look at the tails, the brush coats tails appear much thicker than the skinny tail of the horse coats.
I've got the Shar Pei on my list of breeds to consider too. Been thinking about them for a while.

The bear coat is only rare because it's not an acceptable coat type so reputable breeders don't breed for it. I've seen a few bear coats in real life and they were gorgeous though, like Chow Chows.

Sorry, probably telling you everything you already know.

I'll be watching this thread, because I'd love to know more about them too. First hand accounts are always better than reading the stock standard breed information you get online.

Cass.

LilacDragon · 08-13-2007, 08:24 AM

Well, I don't know much about their coats and your allergies - but I do know that it is generally not a breed for a novice owner or someone who is not "serious". They have a tendency to be VERY strong-willed.

calgal · 08-13-2007, 09:13 AM

My friend just had her Shar-Pei put to sleep due to cancer. It was hard for her to keep her house clean because the drool is collected in the excess cheeks and when full, they shake their head and it flies everywhere. She was VERY strong willed and would not do anything she was trained for if she didn't want. They are extremely strong and if your walking them on a leash and they see something to chase, you will be pulled down. Her husband ended up doing all the walking with the dog. She also had to have the folds of her skin cleaned every day. If not cleaned they get raw and sore. As much as she loved her dog, she said she wouldn't get another one.

***Cassiepeia*** · 08-13-2007, 04:23 PM

The excessive wrinkles and enormous 'meat' mouth (although I have no problem with drooly dogs) are the reason I would never own a brush coat Shar Pei. Horse coats are generally less wrinkled and have more of a 'bone' mouth, and they're the way Shar Pei were originally bred to be. This is a great site with lots of pictures of traditional Shar Pei http://www.hkshar-pei.com/ (look for pictures towards the bottom of the side menu - Ch. China treasure of Dali is my absolute favourite

).

Cass.

muggsmom · 08-13-2007, 05:17 PM

Just a few tidbits I learned from having a Shar Pei cross. They are prone to ear infections, and eye problems (most show up as puppies, but Muggs', didn't develop until after 1 yr., he ended up needing surgery). Their skin can tear easily. Prednisone makes the wrinkles disappear. They hate water and don't handle the cold well. Muggs has to wear a coat and booties in the winter - there have been times I had to carry him into the house after just a few minutes outside. They are very strong-willed, but devoted to the family. They are definitely NOT an 'outside' dog. They are also very strong, even with a halti Muggs has pulled me into a run. They don't like to be petted on the head because the wrinkles over their eyes make it difficult for them to see above them so they don't know what you are doing with your hand. They are not normally barkers unless there is a reason. I don't know if it was just my vet but he didn't neuter Shar Pei's until at least 8 mos - I never did ask why.

I agree - not for first time owners, or even those that do not have experience with strong-willed dogs.

My son has no problem with Muggs' coat, but every time he touches one of Muggs' littermates, he breaks out in a rash.

Vanilla · 09-05-2007, 05:17 AM

I LOVE this breed.
Again not a common breed here in Newfoundland,but just a couple of weeks ago I got to meet a pair of them! What sweeties,very friendly and very cute.Their owner warned they would drool on me and guess what? I got drooled on...haha! It didn't bother me tho.

I didn't know there were three different coat types,but I did notice some looked more wrinkly then others.The two I met were very drooly and very wrinkly...so I am guessing they were the "brush coat"?

08-12-2007, 10:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dogsareme Kaede, Mudd & Kyrel Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 587 Rep Power: 72	Shar Pei ~ Thinking of adopting one I have read up somewhat on Shar Pei's and have been seriously thinking of adopting one. Hopefully between 2 and 4 in age. I understand that they have a few different coats, the horse coat, brush coat, and bear coat. The bear I read is rare to have, so I have opted for the brush coat because I do have allergies and am worried the horse coat would affect me as it is said it effects many allergy sufferers. Just how different is the horse coat to the brush coat? I heard there is very little difference, but I just want to know what you all think? Does anyone have experience with a shar pei that has allergies? Does the horse coat affect you or not? Anything else anyone has advice wise to offer about the Shar Pei is welcome. Thank you.
	__________________ Happiness is owning a dog.

08-13-2007, 12:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,281 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 284	Brush coat is longer and not as harsh as the horse coat. The horse coat can give even people without allergies a rash. You can see the difference in the coat length if you look at the tails, the brush coats tails appear much thicker than the skinny tail of the horse coats. I've got the Shar Pei on my list of breeds to consider too. Been thinking about them for a while. The bear coat is only rare because it's not an acceptable coat type so reputable breeders don't breed for it. I've seen a few bear coats in real life and they were gorgeous though, like Chow Chows. Sorry, probably telling you everything you already know. I'll be watching this thread, because I'd love to know more about them too. First hand accounts are always better than reading the stock standard breed information you get online. Cass.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

08-13-2007, 04:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,281 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 284	The excessive wrinkles and enormous 'meat' mouth (although I have no problem with drooly dogs) are the reason I would never own a brush coat Shar Pei. Horse coats are generally less wrinkled and have more of a 'bone' mouth, and they're the way Shar Pei were originally bred to be. This is a great site with lots of pictures of traditional Shar Pei http://www.hkshar-pei.com/ (look for pictures towards the bottom of the side menu - Ch. China treasure of Dali is my absolute favourite ). Cass.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner. Last edited by Cassiepeia : 08-13-2007 at 04:28 PM.

09-05-2007, 05:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
Vanilla Doggy Foster Mommy Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Newfoundland Posts: 304 Rep Power: 47	I LOVE this breed. Again not a common breed here in Newfoundland,but just a couple of weeks ago I got to meet a pair of them! What sweeties,very friendly and very cute.Their owner warned they would drool on me and guess what? I got drooled on...haha! It didn't bother me tho. I didn't know there were three different coat types,but I did notice some looked more wrinkly then others.The two I met were very drooly and very wrinkly...so I am guessing they were the "brush coat"?
	__________________ R.I.P Chelsea. Forever in my heart. Let a Greyhound Race into Your Heart!

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08-13-2007, 08:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
LilacDragon Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 338 Rep Power: 62	Well, I don't know much about their coats and your allergies - but I do know that it is generally not a breed for a novice owner or someone who is not "serious". They have a tendency to be VERY strong-willed.

08-13-2007, 09:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,780 Rep Power: 229	My friend just had her Shar-Pei put to sleep due to cancer. It was hard for her to keep her house clean because the drool is collected in the excess cheeks and when full, they shake their head and it flies everywhere. She was VERY strong willed and would not do anything she was trained for if she didn't want. They are extremely strong and if your walking them on a leash and they see something to chase, you will be pulled down. Her husband ended up doing all the walking with the dog. She also had to have the folds of her skin cleaned every day. If not cleaned they get raw and sore. As much as she loved her dog, she said she wouldn't get another one.

08-13-2007, 05:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
muggsmom Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 90 Rep Power: 31	Just a few tidbits I learned from having a Shar Pei cross. They are prone to ear infections, and eye problems (most show up as puppies, but Muggs', didn't develop until after 1 yr., he ended up needing surgery). Their skin can tear easily. Prednisone makes the wrinkles disappear. They hate water and don't handle the cold well. Muggs has to wear a coat and booties in the winter - there have been times I had to carry him into the house after just a few minutes outside. They are very strong-willed, but devoted to the family. They are definitely NOT an 'outside' dog. They are also very strong, even with a halti Muggs has pulled me into a run. They don't like to be petted on the head because the wrinkles over their eyes make it difficult for them to see above them so they don't know what you are doing with your hand. They are not normally barkers unless there is a reason. I don't know if it was just my vet but he didn't neuter Shar Pei's until at least 8 mos - I never did ask why. I agree - not for first time owners, or even those that do not have experience with strong-willed dogs. My son has no problem with Muggs' coat, but every time he touches one of Muggs' littermates, he breaks out in a rash.

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