How to Keep a Shar Pei Healthy

Keeping a Shar Pei puppy healthy can be a challenge for even the most knowledgeable dog owner. This is an expensive dog breed from purchase to veterinary care. Before investing in a Shar Pei keep in mind they have predispositions for genetic defects. Choosing an excellent breeder will cut down the risk of serious issues. Follow these guidelines to keep your Shar Pei healthy.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Reputable Shar Pei breeder
• Veterinarian specializing in the breed
• Dog shampoo and cream rinse
• Dog ear cleaner
• Quality dog food

1. Choose a well-bred, healthy puppy to start. While you may think you are saving a less healthy puppy, the costs involved and the ultimate demise of the dog may be too much for you and your family. A healthy puppy should already have its first year of vaccinations done prior to adoption. These should include: DA2PP, corona virus, rabies, bordetella (kennel cough) and worming.

2. Feed a Shar Pei a well balanced diet throughout its life. With a fairly sedentary lifestyle than other dogs, Shar Pei do not require a high protein diet. Quality commercial dog food should be fine. Look for skin irritations if you are trying out a new food for the first time.

3. Groom the Shar Pei every 12 to 16 weeks. Shar Pei are almost cat-like in their cleanliness. If two or more dogs are present they will often clean each other throughout the day. Though daily face cleaning may be necessary, bathing too often can cause dry skin and develop into bigger problems. Use a quality dog shampoo and cream rinse on the Shar Pei to avoid skin reactions to harshness. Every Shar Pei I have ever dealt with has hated water, so keep things as calm as possible during the process.

4. Trim the dog's toenails. Sounds easy enough, doesn’t it? This dog breed above all others seems to hold a personal grudge against any human that tries to handle its feet. For this reason, foot manipulation and touching must start on the day the puppy comes home. Any time the puppy is relaxing, touch its feet in a calm way all over. Use calming tones and don’t try to do this only when trimming the nails.

5. Brush the Shar Pei's teeth daily and check regularly for any sores or redness on the lips or jowls. If sores are noted or the bottom lip appears to be curling into the mouth of the dog, make a veterinary appointment.

6. Check the Shar Pei's eyes and face regularly, looking for matter forming in the corners. Also look for red or irritated skin around the eyes. Make sure the eyes are not being hindered in any way by the eyelashes or wrinkles on the dog’s face.

7. Clean the Shar Pei's ears every few weeks with a dog ear cleaning solution and cotton swabs. The presence of dark or black residue may indicate ear mites, which will have to be treated by a veterinarian.

8. Exercise the Shar Pei with short walks and plenty of playtime. Long walks are not required and should be avoided during extreme climate temperature fluctuations.

Tips & Warnings

• Shar Pei love to be with people at all times. While kenneling is always a good idea when you have to be away, this breed can’t stand to be alone all day.

• This dog breed has a very coarse coat and may cause skin irritations in some people. Using a softening cream rinse can help, but should not be used on show dogs since they are judged on the coarseness of their coat.

• Shar Pei should not be trained as guard dogs. While the dog will guard on its own, and do a wonderful job, teaching it to attack on command can cause issues. This dog breed is very independent and may choose not to obey release commands if it is in a frenzied state.

Resources

• Dogs Rule Iowa, a blog about dogs