Shar pei , I have heard she is a great girl. she is
about 3 & is a "donated" dog. her boyfriend Ronald, Shar-Pei were
taken to AC when their people moved to a place that did not allow dogs
Ronald
Meet
2-144...This boy is the girl above's buddy he is about the same age. He also is
a Shar pei...He looks like a Blow Fish. He is a very sweet dog. Patty @ the
shelter says he is stressing & needed meds to calm his GI down. I sure hope
they both get a rescue...It would be even better if they could stay together!
Where do our Shar-Pei come from? We are part of a national breed-specific rescue network and are known to many shelters, who will call us when a Shar-Pei is brought in or picked up by an animal control officer in our area. We also belong to many all breed rescue lists where people share information about different shelters/pounds, etc., and dogs that are awaiting adoption or rescue. In addition, our contact information is posted on may sites, and we get quite a few messages from owners who can no longer keep their Pei for various reasons.
Why are Shar-Pei given up? Pei are turned into a rescue for many reasons. Most often, changes in a family's circumstances (death, relocation, job change, new family member, financial change, etc.) require the surrender of a pet. Sometimes dogs are acquired on impulse without proper consideration given to the responsibility involved in pet ownership. And some Shar-Pei require special diets or other considerations. To add to this, many Shar-Pei are very sensitive and require time and attention to "fit-in" as a happy, healthy family member. Sadly, Shar-Pei are just as likely as other breeds to be neglected, abused or affected by human cruelty; when these dogs are removed from their home situation, they often come to a rescue group for rehabilitation and placement.
How big do Shar-Pei get? AKC guidelines say the standard breed size is 18"-20" tall at the withers and between 45 and 60 pounds in weight. However, we have seen "mini-Pei" as small as 13" tall and 30 pounds, and as large as 23" tall and 70 pounds.
How long do Shar-Pei live? Most Shar-Pei live to about 14 or 15 years old. With proper health care, many can live to 16 or 17!
All of my dogs were placements -- dogs who came from responsible breeders but who needed a special home due to either health or temperament problems. Popcorn had generalized demodex when I got her, though it never returned once I got her healthier; Frosty had that problem with bowed legs as a puppy that left him with deformed growth plates, though they never bothered him; Nattie and Piglet were genetically shy, from their genetically shy father. I got all of them between the ages of 9 and 11 months. None were abused or neglected.
Piglet is still in good health, other than her arthritis and some problems with her vision (she's also pretty much deaf, as all my dogs started becoming around the age of 11-12). Nattie was going seriously downhill by age 16, and reached the point where I couldn't even get her to wag her tail, but Piglet still does the happy dance at meal time, enjoys her walks (though slowly), and is generally doing amazingly well for her age.
To connect with the owner's of Chinese Shar-Pei visit the national website. Become a member and receive the official Chinese Shar Pei magazine , the "Barker".
Look Back originally a multipurpose Chinese farm dog, many of the breed's characteristics relate to that work. Their moderate sound structure allowed them to be perimeter guard dogs, working all day. They have retained vermin catching, herding and tracking skills, as their role on the farms was diverse. Physically, the Chinese believed the breed's scowl and the black pigmented mouth would scare off evil spirits and their imposing presence meant that most were never challenged.
Right Breed for You? An intelligent and often stubborn breed, Shar Pei ownership needs careful consideration. They are bright and learn quickly, but early training and socialization are important, as is daily exercise. Shar-Pei are clean dogs that require little more grooming than an occasional bath, regular ear cleaning and toe nail clipping.