Shar Pei

Temperament

The FCI standard describes the Shar Pei as calm, independent, loyal and affectionate with its family, and that's usually what daily life with this breed looks like. Indoors it is quiet and clean, doesn't need constant attention and handles a few hours alone fairly well. It is reserved with strangers and guards its territory with real commitment. It can be unfriendly toward other dogs, especially of the same sex, and small animals may trigger its prey drive. It is smart but stubborn: it dislikes repeating the same exercises and resists pressure. Without early socialization it may become fearful or overly suspicious. It doesn't like being hugged by strangers or tugged at by children, so a family with little ones needs clear rules.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Shar Pei for?

The Shar Pei suits a calm, consistent owner who wants an alert dog for a house or apartment and doesn't need a sports companion. It can be a good dog for a busy person, since it handles being alone fairly well. Skip it if you already have other dogs or cats, want a dog that's open to everyone, or aren't ready for regular skin, eye and ear checks.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The Shar Pei has moderate exercise needs: the Royal Kennel Club suggests up to an hour a day, usually as calm walks. The harsh, short coat doesn't need much, a weekly brushing is enough, but the skin needs constant attention: check, wipe and dry the folds once or twice a week, and more often in heavily wrinkled dogs. The narrow ear canals get inflamed easily, so the ears also need regular checks. Glance at the eyes daily: tearing or squinting may signal an eyelid problem. Shar Peis tolerate heat poorly, so in summer walk early in the morning and in the evening. Training should be short and to the point, based on rewards; start socializing with people and dogs in the very first weeks.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Shar Pei usually lives 8–12 years. The most characteristic disease is Shar Pei fever: inherited episodes of high fever with swollen hocks, more common in dogs with very thick, wrinkled skin; it can lead to amyloidosis and kidney failure. Excess skin on the head encourages entropion, which is sometimes surgically corrected even in puppies, and body folds encourage skin infections. The Royal Kennel Club places the breed in Category 2 of Breed Watch and recommends eye exams, a DNA test for glaucoma and lens luxation, and hip and elbow screening. In some dogs, a short, heavily padded muzzle makes breathing difficult. Look for a breeder who aims for moderate wrinkling and health tests their dogs.

• Shar Pei fever (swollen hock syndrome)Inherited episodes of high fever with swollen joints; they can lead to amyloidosis and kidney failure.
• entropionInward-rolling eyelids injure the cornea; it usually shows up before the age of one.
• skin fold dermatitisMoisture in the folds encourages bacterial and yeast infections.
• primary glaucoma and lens luxation (POAG/PLL)Inherited eye diseases; the Royal Kennel Club recommends a DNA test.
• hip and elbow dysplasiaX-ray screening of breeding dogs is recommended.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

According to the FCI standard, the Shar Pei lived for hundreds of years in the Chinese provinces along the South China Sea, and the area around the town of Dialak in Kwun Tung (Guangdong) province is considered its place of origin. It guarded farms and hunted, and according to accounts it was also used for fighting, where its loose skin was supposed to make it hard for an opponent to get a grip. Wars and political upheaval in the 20th century brought the breed close to extinction by the 1970s. In 1973 Hong Kong breeder Matgo Law published an appeal in the press to save the “Chinese fighting dog,” after which the first dogs went to the US. There the breed quickly became popular, and selection moved toward very heavy wrinkling, which many breeders are now moving away from.

Fun facts

• The FCI standard prefers a blue-black tongue; in dilute-colored dogs the tongue is solid lavender.
• The name Shar Pei is often translated as “sand skin,” after its coat, which feels harsh to the touch.
• The standard allows all solid colors except white.
• Under the FCI standard, a coat longer than 2.5 cm is a serious fault in this breed.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Medium dog breeds
• Best dogs for apartments
• Calm dog breeds
• Dogs that don’t shed (much)

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 309 – Shar Peifci.be
2. 2Royal Kennel Club – Shar Peiroyalkennelclub.com
3. 3PetMD – Shar-Peipetmd.com
4. 4Wikipedia – Shar Peien.wikipedia.org

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.