Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

mandy. asked in PetsDogs · 1 decade ago

Shar pei ? Has anyone ever had one how's there personality? Are thwy good dogs?

:D thanks so much!

19 Answers

Relevance
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I've worked both in a vet's office and also a pet shop.

    To be honest, Sharpeis (we called them Sharpies) had okay personalities, but they require a LOT of maintenance.

    I had to wash the dogs at the pet store, and Shapies always gave me a rash. They're not as cuddly as you think. If you rub them one way (from head to tail), they're smooth. But if you rub them the opposite way, they are very, very bristly. Just holding one and cuddling requires long sleeves. If you don't wear long sleeves, you'll get what feels like razor burns on your arms.

    Now more about their maintenance:

    Sharpies should not be bathed with shampoo, but yes, they do require baths. Only you have to use salt water, and ensure that you wipe them under each wrinkle. You also have to be very careful to fully dry them. You have to rub a towel under every fold, and make sure that he's dry everywhere. If you miss a spot, they can develop skin infections because the remaining moisture is a perfect environment to grow bacteria.

    Also, when the get older, they develop more and more wrinkles. When this happens, there will be so many wrinkles around their eyes, they won't be able to see, and they'll need at least one eyelift (sometimes two) in their lifetimes.

    They are nice dogs, but very expensive ad they can have funny personality traits, because they are purebread and inbreeding can happen quite a lot. If you really want to buy one, you should make sure to know who the mother and sire were, and require evidence to see both. Ask to see their papers, which in America would be AKC papers.

    Once you buy any dog, take him/her to the vet immediately to make sure the dog is in good condition. You'll generally have 24-48 hours to solidify the contract. It may sound cold to return a dog because it isn't perfect, but in the long run it will save you a lot of heartache and money. If you like the dog but there still is a problem with him, you at the least should demand some money back. Make sure you produce the vet's papers to show the breeder that there's something wrong.

    You really have to think hard and question the fact that this breed requires a lot of work, and expensive vet bills. You should choose accordingly to what best suits your lifestyle.

    good luck!

  • ventur
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    Shar Pei Personality

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Shar peis are small dogs- so a mix between these breeds would most likely produce a pup that was much smaller than a full grown Akita. However- looking at these photos- there is no way that that is what your dog is! The face is too long (Shar Peis have a very round, chunky head, and so do Akitas) for starters- and she has none of the mass I would expect with a mix of either of these breeds. I dont think she is part Akita or Shar Pei, myself. I think youre much closer on the mark- with your thoughts that she might be Shepherd, Norwegian Elkhound type dog. Maybe even Belgian Malanois x.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    The Shar Pei is serious, calm, dignified, quiet, confident, independent and is devoted to its family. Shar Peis are very clean and easy to house train but because of its independent and strong-willed manner they are difficult to obedience train. The Shar Pei needs a lot of early socialization and training starting when it’s a puppy. Training must be firm and reward-based (food and praise) to control any aggressive tendencies and ensure household rules are followed. The Shar Pei is good with older children. However this breed may not get along well with other household cats and dogs. The Chinese Shar-Pei still retains its hunting instincts and may not be a good choice for a farm or being allowed to run loose. The Shar Pei does best in a fenced yard and being walked on a leash where it can’t chase after other animals. Shar Peis tend to mind their own business unless provoked into aggressive behavior. Shar Peis are aloof but not hostile toward strangers. The Shar Pei does best with an experienced owner who will not let this breed exert its dominance.

    Coat

    The Chinese Shar-Pei has a very harsh and straight coat. The coat ranges from being either extremely short, to no longer than an inch long at the withers, called a "brush coat."

    Average shedding

    Overview

    The Chinese Shar-Pei is a somewhat powerful dog. Known for his wrinkles, this breed makes a wonderful watchdog and can at times be intimidating to strangers. Very loyal, and devoted to his family.

    Character

    The Chinese Shar-Pei is an intelligent, dignified, and calm dog but can also be very alert making him ideal for a guard or watchdog. He has a strong protective instinct so this breed should be well socialized at an early age to avoid shyness or from being overprotective.

    Temperament

    Alert and confident, the Chinese Shar-Pei makes a wonderful companion to an experienced owner. This breed is not for everyone. He can do well with older children, however should be supervised around infants, as this is a powerful dog. Can be somewhat aggressive towards other dogs, but given the right socialization, he can do well.

    Care

    The coat of the Chinese Shar-Pei is not very high maintenance, however it should be brushed to remove loose or dead hair occasionally. A rubber brush should suffice. The ears should be cleaned regularly as well as under the folds of skin.

    Training

    The Chinese Shar-Pei can be stubborn at times, making him somewhat hard to handle when it comes to training. However, he is very willing to please and is intelligent. Firm handling should be practiced with this breed.

    Activity

    If given proper exercise, this breed can do okay without a yard. An average sized yard is suggested, but is not required. This breed loves walks with his owner however due to the folds of skin, which can make him overheat, fresh water should always be provided.

    Source(s): With the right owner that appropiate for the owner's lifestyle, shar Peis can be great dogs, howver there not a breed for a novice, inexperience, passive, owner. They need a firm hand, as sharpei's can be strong willed, dominant and independent. There a moderately active breed, i would not recommend them for young children, as they don't general tolerate, the over affection little kids tend to give http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/Breeds/Shar-Pei.htm... http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/breeds/110007...
  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • 7 years ago

    I would say like any dog, they definitely vary. If you're buying from a breeder, the dam should at least be on the premises. Never buy from a breeder insisting on you meeting in a midpoint location or who won't let you see where the dam and pups are. Requiring you to wear booties and walk through sanitation solution - normal. Avoiding you seeing the mom and pups on site - something is fishy.

    I have a pei rescued from the shelter. She's actually very good, if a bit of a clumsy oaf, with all the dogs she's met. She's VERY aloof, even as a pup, with strangers. Not aggressive, but very disinterested in meeting and will alert to the door. She's very calm and even tempered. With our other dog, the cats, and family - she's a clown, affectionate though not overly effusive except on coming home greetings, VERY loyal and sticks close by as much as possible. I would say NOT a dog for someone that won't be able to be around for many hours a day - very very attached, just not as expressive as some. Mine would not do well at all being left often. She's also very routine driven and thrives on a steady routine she can depend on.

    Mine also isn't quiet. She is very vocally expressive when displeased - though apart from that, she's relatively quiet, not a major barker for the heck of it. And because of the excessive fleshiness of the face - they can snore, snort, snuffle, and even make a giggling cackling noise!!!

    Activity - moderate. She's content to stay close by with short play sessions and walks. Her idea of happiness is curling up close to "her" human family.

    I wouldn't trade her for ANYTHING - she's got a very unique, loving, and quirky personality that keeps us laughing. That said, there are a LOT of health issues, so be prepared to be very very close with your vet and make sure you have one familiar with the breed and it's many issues. They can develop Familiar Shar Pei Fever - intermittent fevers where the hocks swell and their temp goes up for a couple days out of the blue. The ones (and it's a high percentage) that develop that need monitored for kidney function as they're high risk for amyloidosis, They also have a predisposition to mast cell tumors, digestive issues and intolerances, and allergies of both digestion and skin, as well as the abovementioned entropion eye issues, and ones with the tightly folded ears develop ear infections. Healthwise - not for the faint of heart.

  • 7 years ago

    Once you put the work and effort into them, best dog ever. I rescue Ridgebacks and adding the Shar Pei was the hardest work effort. She was a street stray, loving to me, which made it easier for me to capture her. But with the other dogs, she was always fearful and fights would break out. When she is in protective mode--that's when he fear factor kicks in and I have to be on her at that moment. I did lots of training with her and my other dogs using a mesh muzzle on the whomever the most aggressive dog was, which ended up being my larger Ridgeback girl. With 3 years of work, she has become very social, and is a pack member--which this breed tends not to lean toward being. She is learning to play soft--she does not play rough like the larger dogs--but is learning. I;m teaching my dogs to be more patient with her. She is a GREAT ball and fetch and frisbee player. And this baby I rescued from the streets at 3 years old. I recently found some people who may have her brother--same age and found in the same region. They also exhibit some similar personality traits. They are Shar Pei X Labrador. She is more Shar Pei, he has more of a Lab body.GREAT protectors, loyal and happy dog citizens if you put forth the effort. She was my greatest work as to training than my other 5 dogs (ridgeback and Ridgeback mixes) who were so easy (it's based on their leader with them). She is a doll baby and it was so worth it. Easy to train in other areas. She was abused, shows more aggression toward men but will become familiar if she sees you more often. Can be very scary but my trick is that I talk to her constantly and use direct eye contact. She can pick up my emotions and will follow along--so you have to be balanced as well.

    And agree-NOT for first time dog owners. But training a Shar Pei, you will learn about yourself because they are so sensitive to your emotions. I love them personally!!!

    Attachment image
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Hi,

    The Shar-Pei is an alert and independent dog. He is extremely devoted to his family, but aloof with people he doesn't know. He is said to enjoy the companionship of people more than dogs, and he likes to be with his owner all the time. A calm and confident dog, he seems to develop an intuitive understanding of his owner or family. Here's more info:

    http://eijohbu.notlong.com/

  • 1 decade ago

    The Shar-Pei is an alert and independent dog. He is extremely devoted to his family, but aloof with people he doesn't know. He is said to enjoy the companionship of people more than dogs, and he likes to be with his owner all the time. A calm and confident dog, he seems to develop an intuitive understanding of his owner or family.

    As devoted as he is, the Shar-Pei is also independent and strong willed. He is protective of his family--making for an excellent guard dog--and will respond to threats. Because he once was used as a pit-fighting dog, he can be aggressive toward other canines.

    Additional details, http://short.to/196d3

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aOg9v

    A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

  • 1 decade ago

    I have seen ones from reputable breeders and ones from byb and puppmills. The ones from reputable breeders for the most part have good personalities and the ones from byb and puppmills are definately more aggressive towards other animals as well as other people. They are very stubborn and can also have some serious health concerns when bought from a nonreputable source. As was previously mentioned they are not for a first time dog owner and needs someone who is definately experienced with dogs, especially dominant breeds. Check out the national breed club for more information and reputable breeders.

    Source(s): Worked at a vet hospital and have been around dog shows.
Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.