Many potential owners of Shar Pei look first of all at the appearance of their pets, thinking that this is a decorative breed of dog. However, this is not the case.
Shar Peis have a very rich history of keeping, and they were originally fighting dogs.
Now they have become excellent watchmen, but this is not a reason to discard their past.
Despite their cute exterior, they are very proud and noble.
However, dogs of this breed have their own characteristics and need proper care. How to ensure this will be discussed in the article.
Basic rules of care
Shar Pei can easily be kept in an apartment, the main thing is to follow some rules for caring for this breed:
- Place the dog bed out of the way and away from a draft. The place should be away from wind, direct sunlight and household clutter;
- Try to choose bedding from material components;
- Food bowls should always be clean and appropriate for the dog's height. You can also place an oilcloth or diaper under the bowls so as not to pollute the floor;
- The breed has no undercoat and practically does not shed, but it needs to be brushed every three days, and during shedding - every day. You will have to wipe the folds on the Shar Pei's face and body from time to time;
- You need to walk your dog twice a day, and the walk itself should last about an hour. You should either simply walk with the animal or engage it in physical activity so that it can release its energy;
- Shar Pei need to be bathed infrequently, mostly when they get dirty. On average, this procedure is repeated about twice a month;
- You also need to feed your dog twice a day - morning and evening. Feeding is another important aspect that deserves additional influence. The food must be of high quality and the products must be fresh.
The Shar Pei is an ideal dog for the home not only because it practically does not shed, but also because it does not have a specific dog smell.
Expert opinion
Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich
Expert dog handler.
“The main thing you need to know is that the Shar Pei is absolutely not suitable for being kept outside. It does not have an undercoat, so any frost or sunlight can adversely affect the health of the pet. You also don't need to bathe your dog often; you wash off all the special coating on your dog's skin, leaving it vulnerable. But if you decide to keep your Shar Pei outdoors, you will have to tinker with setting up a special enclosure for him.”
Breed characteristics
For a successful mating, it is important to take into account not only the days of the female’s cycle and the characteristics of the male, but also the breed of the animal. The belonging of dogs to one or another variety can radically change the principle of mating.
Large breeds
Representatives of large breeds, for example, Caucasian Shepherds, Alabais, St. Bernards, Huskies, etc., should be adopted no earlier than one and a half years of age, ideally at 2 years. If you do this earlier, you can ruin the health and psyche of the wet-nosed ones. In a large female, you need to skip the first 2 heats and breed only on the 3rd.
It is important to take into account the size of the individuals: they should not be the same for a boy and a girl. Otherwise, half the litter will be born defective. It is imperative that one of the couple is larger. Usually boys are bigger.
When it comes to large quadrupeds, it is ideal if both or at least one of them is experienced. Something goes wrong - the owners will not be able to cope with their oversized comrades. It is advisable for both to wear muzzles so that they do not inadvertently bite either each other or their owners.
Medium breeds
These include pugs, Jack Russell terriers, cocker spaniels, dachshunds, sharpeis, etc. Usually, medium-sized dogs are not aggressive, so muzzles are rarely put on them. But the presence of a collar is mandatory - it will be convenient for the owner to hold the ward by it.
Small breeds
Small ones are a Chihuahua, a Yorkshire Terrier, a Russian Toy Terrier, a lapdog, etc. These kids require almost no help during the task, but this does not mean that they can be left alone without any control. It is convenient for small dogs to be placed on some elevated surface, for example, on a table.
How to feed?
An adult dog of this breed is fed twice a day, and the amount of food is calculated based on the dog’s weight - a certain proportion is maintained.
What to feed the dog - natural food or artificial food - is the choice of only the owner. Any food will be appropriate if you take proper care of the quality of the product.
If you choose industrial food for feeding your Shar Pei, then buy only those that are at least premium class. You must be sure that what is inside the package is actually meat and not substitutes or cheap offal. Therefore, read the ingredients carefully. Also, the feed must contain at least 12% fat and 23% protein.
NOTE!
High-quality food does not have a pronounced flavored odor. Its color is uniform (dark brown).
If your choice fell on natural nutrition, then you should know that creating a proper and balanced diet is a lot of work, so it’s not the first time it’s better to contact a veterinarian for help.
The Shar Pei menu should include:
- Lean meat and offal, which should make up at least 30% of the total diet - turkey, beef, chicken, rabbit;
- Boiled sea fish;
- Fermented milk products and eggs, if you are not allergic to them;
- Porridge – buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, millet, barley, pearl barley;
- Oil (olive, vegetable);
- Fruits and vegetables;
- Vitamins.
The food in the bowl, like the water, should be at room temperature and fresh. You cannot feed your dog from your table, as this will lead to health problems.
Prohibited for Shar-Pei are sausages, smoked and baked goods, river fish, fatty, spicy, salty foods, spices, sugar and spices, lamb, pork and bones, which Shar-Pei are not allowed to eat at any age.
When is human help needed?
The help of a professional will come in handy if your wet-nose has not previously bred, and you yourself are a novice dog breeder. The specialist will also assist when it comes to mating purebred animals, which have strict requirements. A knowledgeable person will calculate favorable days for mating, carefully study the characteristics of both partners and will personally be present at the mating.
Also, invite a specialist or experienced breeder to attend the female's birth to prevent possible complications. The services of such people may seem expensive to you, but it is advisable to play it safe and pay rather than treat your friend later after an unsuccessful meeting or pregnancy with negative consequences.
How often should you go for walks?
This breed needs to be walked every day, or preferably several times a day. She needs to run and explore a lot.
If it’s cold and raining outside, it’s better to limit yourself to thirty minutes in the fresh air.
If the weather is favorable, then stay outside longer. In this case, the dog can be walked for an hour or an hour and a half without harming the health of the Shar Pei.
Is a muzzle necessary?
To understand whether Shar Peis need a muzzle, you need to remember for what purposes this breed was originally used and for what purposes it is used now.
In ancient times, Shar Peis were a fighting breed of dog, but now they are excellent watchmen and security guards. That is, they may well show aggression if they feel threatened. For this reason, no matter how confident you are in your dog, it is by no means decorative, which means it will need a muzzle.
You can make a muzzle to order or buy a ready-made one in a special store.
IMPORTANT!
To choose the right muzzle, you must know the length of the muzzle, skull and head circumference. Together with these indicators, you can choose a muzzle in consultation with the seller.
Also, do not choose an iron one - it can be traumatic for the animal itself and for humans. It is better to opt for leather.
You need to wear a muzzle in crowded places.
Mixed breeds with Shar Peis
Purposeful or random matings are not uncommon. First-generation Shar-Pei mixed breeds are easily recognized by certain features in their appearance. For example, a pair of Shar Peis and a German Shepherd gave birth to a puppy with an elongated and full muzzle.
Shar Peis often pass on the posture and shape of their ears if the other parent does not have droopy ones. Then the mestizos have small ears with the ends curved down. A husky will probably pass on heterochromia (eyes of different colors) and high legs, and the bone structure will be reduced compared to a sharpei.
The structure of the coat of puppies from dogs of other breeds can be of very different textures. The American Staffordshire Terrier mix has medium-length outer hair, and the color is similar to the zonular one, like that of German Shepherds.
How to toilet train a puppy?
To toilet a small Shar Pei
- First, find a place that is comfortable for your puppy to go to. It should be close to home;
- In order for the puppy to understand that this is exactly the place, you can put there the diaper that the dog wore at home;
- Guess what time the Shar Pei goes to the toilet and shortly before that, bring him to the designated place;
- Don't rush the puppy, let him concentrate. If the puppy managed to do the job, then praise him and take him home;
- In the future, you can gradually adjust your walking time to whatever is convenient for you.
How to properly clean your ears?
Shar Pei ears should be treated at the end of each week. This should be done with a cotton pad moistened with warm water or a special solution purchased at a pet store. You should not clean with a cotton swab, because it can damage the eardrum and the delicate skin of your dog’s ears.
You must teach your Shar Pei to this procedure from childhood so that it does not break out. The Shar Pei's evasion from your hands can cause injury.
To properly clean your Shar Pei's ears, your brushing movements should be gentle, but firm and quick.
NOTE!
Shar Peis have narrow ear canals and poor ventilation in them. For this reason, special attention should be paid to their ears, as they can easily become infected. Try not to let water pour into them when swimming. Also, if you see that your dog often shakes his head and scratches his ears, then it is better to show him to the veterinarian.
Grooming
Caring for the Shar Pei's coat is quite simple:
- A Shar Pei's coat should be brushed no more than once every three days. During shedding, you will have to do this procedure daily.
- Also, you do not need to constantly wipe the folds on the dog’s face and body; it is enough to do this once every two weeks, but a little more often if the dog is outside very often and for a long time.
- This breed does not like water procedures, so it will not need to be bathed often either. This can be done 1-2 times a month. But don’t rush to drag your dog into the bath every time it gets dirty. It may be enough to remove the dirt with a napkin. Also, a healthy dog should not emit any unpleasant odors.
Signs and symptoms
It is not difficult even for an inexperienced dog breeder to understand when a female dog begins to heat.
Dog behavior before heat
The typical behavior of your beloved four-legged girl changes after 6 months, and becomes characteristic before each heat:
- A previously obedient dog stops responding to usual commands, looks irritated or overly affectionate;
- Appetite often disappears, and an aggressive reaction to female dogs and a clear interest in male dogs are indicative.
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Dog behavior during heat
The appearance of physiological symptoms is very indicative of the onset of estrus:
- The animal often begins to run to the toilet, and bloody discharge is noticeable in the urine;
- Enlargement of the genital loop, its swelling and the release of mucus and blood from it;
- If you touch the dog’s body, it will begin to move its tail to the side or may freeze, raising its pelvis;
- Heavy shedding may begin.
Teeth cleaning
Shar Peis are a breed that is prone to developing tartar in the mouth. For this reason, they need to brush their teeth regularly, as well as give them special toys.
If you have a puppy, then you need to get used to this procedure now. To start, simply inspect his mouth several times a week and run your finger over his teeth.
Also continue to examine your dog's teeth after they are replaced. From time to time you can wipe them with lemon or tomato juice. This treatment must be done from the roots. You can do this cleaning using a cotton pad.
Some owners sometimes give the dog just a tomato to eat, but this vegetable is not the most beneficial for the dog’s digestion, so there is no need to overuse it.
Also in veterinary stores there are special treats and preparations that should be used to prevent tartar. They can be given to your pet every day without harm to health.
IMPORTANT!
If the formation process has already started, then it is better to contact a veterinary clinic. There, the dog will have the accumulated tartar or plaque removed mechanically.
Who to breed Shar-Peis with?
Responsible breeders can select pairs and wait for years for the right partner to appear. There is breeding along lines in which Shar Pei have a certain set of advantages.
Contrary to prevailing opinions about the dangers of inbreeding (crossing with close relatives), this method is effective if the selection is made thoughtfully.
You should not breed Shar-Peis with representatives of other breeds. Puppies from such matings are called mixed breeds and have no breeding value. Their personalities and physiology are unpredictable.
You cannot breed a dog if it has:
- Hereditary or chronic diseases;
- Vices;
- Non-standard color;
- Inappropriate behavior, cowardice, aggression.
Only from a pair of healthy Shar-Peis with good anatomy and psyche can one expect the same offspring. There are exceptions, but they are very rare.
What vaccinations should I get?
The breeder gives the puppy his first vaccinations at 1.5-2 months. After two weeks, the course should be repeated. Remember that the puppy can be taken outside only 10 days after repeating the course.
Shar Pei vaccinations are usually given on the following schedule:
- From 8 weeks to two months, the dog is vaccinated against distemper and viral enteritis;
- Course repetition;
- At six months the dog is vaccinated against rabies;
- There are also special vaccinations against parasites, which also need to be given to your pet, although they are optional.
Breeding
Only absolutely healthy dogs that meet the breed standard can participate in breeding.
For a female, the optimal age for mating is approximately 1.5 years; a male is ready for mating at 1.5-2 years.
Estrus
Estrus indicates the beginning of puberty. At this time, eggs mature in the genitals and the dog is ready for fertilization and pregnancy. The first estrus occurs at approximately 6-10 months; its onset can be judged by the appearance of drops of blood at the tip of the loop.
Mating
A bitch should be bred no earlier than she is 1.5-2 years old, i.e. only in her 3rd heat. The optimal time for mating is the 11th, 13th or 15th day of estrus, when the discharge becomes light pink rather than bloody, and the loop becomes soft.
Before mating, it is necessary to carry out deworming, treatment for external parasites and, if necessary, vaccination.
Gestational age
During the first 2-3 weeks, there are no noticeable changes in the dog’s body; the fact that the mating was successful can only be judged by minor changes in behavior.
The pregnancy of a Shar Pei lasts 60-65 days; 3-6 puppies are most often born in a litter, but in some cases there can be 12.
Childbirth
Before giving birth, the dog refuses to eat, its body temperature drops to 36.5 °C, it behaves restlessly, trembles, breathes quickly, tries to hide, scratches the floor and bedding, trying to make a den for itself.
First, the dog’s water breaks, then pushing begins and the cervix dilates.
The puppy is born in the amniotic sac. If the bitch does not chew it, you need to tear the bag yourself in the area of the baby’s head, and then clean his mouth of mucus with a napkin. Then you need to tie and cut the umbilical cord.
If the bitch gives birth for the first time, it is necessary for a veterinarian to be present at the birth.
Sterilization and castration
Sterilization and castration are recommended for individuals that are not intended to be used for breeding. These procedures are not contraindicated for dogs; on the contrary, animals who undergo them have better health and a longer life expectancy.
The operation can be performed after the dog is six months old. It is better to spay a bitch before her 1st or between 1st and 2nd heat. This is due to the fact that sterilization is a way to prevent mammary cancer, but later it is also not prohibited to spay and neuter dogs.
It may seem that caring for Shar-Peis is difficult, but this is not entirely true. You just need to find an approach to the dog, accustom it to all hygiene procedures and, most importantly, treat it with love and care. Then the Shar Pei will grow up to be a healthy, beautiful and devoted friend and protector.
Shar Pei is in heat
When does Shar Pei go into heat? And how long does it usually last?
Female Shar-Peis come into heat at the age of 8-12 months. After that, it is repeated every six months, that is, it happens twice a year.
Its duration is 18-20 days. But this is only an average, there are deviations. This process requires an individual approach on the part of the owner.
NOTE!
If estrus occurs earlier than 7 months and later than 15 months, or the interval between estrus is less than 4 and more than 9 months, then this indicates serious problems with the dog’s health. You will need to contact a specialist.
Mating a bitch is a very important period. She will need to be closely monitored so as not to miss the beginning of this period. The female accepts the male on average on the 12th day of estrus, but the full readiness of the female can only be determined by a mating instructor.
Control mating is carried out 48 hours after the start of estrus. There is also an age at which this process will be most favorable. For females this is after 20 months, and for males - after 24 months.
All about breeding Shar-Peis
Each breed has original characteristics. Shar Pei breeders have been striving for a long time to restore it to be similar to the original. The manifestation of crossbreeding traits is considered a defect, because when crossing outside the breed, the standard character and exterior are lost.
In addition, no one can find out what the puppies will be like in terms of health and appearance, and the fate of such offspring is not always rosy.
Therefore, it is necessary to approach breeding a pet consciously, assessing its advantages and disadvantages. They can be inherited even after several generations.
A competent approach will allow you not only to avoid poor health, but also to increase your advantages.
