We’re thinking of adopting a gentle young fella from the local pound.

I’ve done a fair bit of reading on common issues this breed can suffer from – he has very little of the skin creasing that can cause problems and his eyes have been thoroughly examined.

Any forummers with experience of this breed?

Ta in advance.

I wouldn’t get one, it leaves marks everywhere

Came on to make witty remark. Beaten to it 🙂

Personally I wouldn’t have one.

So many problems physically with them and so many then become agressive and difficult to handle ( guess I would too if I could barely see, my eyelids were rubbing on the surface of my eyes, my skin had a permanent infection and my short sharp hair was constantly rubbing against my skin folds too). That’s before you get on to things like Shar Pei fever and all the chronic ear problems and infections from those folded over ears and the drooling from the oversize lips.

There are a few cross breeds I’ve seen which sound more like the one you have been looking at where they don’t have the eye problems and skin problems from the excessive folds which seem to be healthier. Have a look at his ears and see what they look like too and gauge his temperament very carefully especially if he is going into a family home.

2 out of 3 local owner i spoke to say they love them but they stink, from the skin and folds, one guy says he can only control it by bathing the dog every day in special shampoo

I have a traditional Shar Pei, so less wrinkly and no problems with the eyelids to skin irritations.

She’s two years old now and no problems with the ears, though she’s quite happy having them cleaned. Limited history of Shar Pei fever in her bloodline too as we know her mom/dad/grandparents.

The breed in general, if socialised with strangers and other dogs regularly they are happy and docile, though they are naturally stranger avoidant rather than stanger aggressive unless it’s a stranger in your house (mines gets rather grumpy).

Mine does stink a bit and the breed, mine especially dislikes water so bathing is definitely a two man job.

She is a lovely family dog, loves the kids (Age 8 and 5) and our two cats. Wouldn’t have another dog.

As a pup

She hates water so you take her out rowing 😀

Yours does look far less affected than most I’ve met by the eye problem / folds in general. Had to photograph two Shar Peis dressed up in ridiculous outfits a few years ago. They were clearly pissed off about it, boiling hot and had recently had their eye folds cut and stitched up. I honestly thought they were going to maul their owners (I wouldn’t have blamed them one bit!).

I’m afraid I wouldn’t have one due to all the problems listed above, lovely though they mostly are.

Shindiggy, yours does look much healthier than the average Shar Pei and is probably what they all should look like but sadly mostly don’t.

Ta muchly for the replies.

This is the man himself.

Something else to add is that they can be a bit moody & aloof – though this is only my experience with them in a rescue centre.

Maybe a different story in a home…

They are very aloof, good with owners but don’t like fuss of strangers though they are not aggressive. He seems more traditional (Bone mouth) than the meat mouth chinese shar peis (blame the AKC) so won’t suffer from eye lids.

Very stubborn dogs though, need good discipline.

He looks like a nice lad I can see why you’re tempted.