Meet the Wrinkly Shar Pei Dog – A Golden Oldie!

Ever wondered what that adorable wrinkly dog with lots of roly-poly folds is called? It’s the Shar-Pei dog breed – one of the most unusual looking dogs around!

This uber cute dog looks like a soft blanket but don’t rub it the wrong way. This wrinkly dog’s coat is coarse and can actually cause an allergic reaction for those with sensitive skin if you rub it backwards.

Find out more about this cute canine companion. From personality and price to health and grooming.

What is a Shar-Pei known for?

In addition to being known as a wrinkly dog, there are several unique Shar-Pei facts.

Here are some of our favourite ones:

• Shar-pei nearly disappeared. For one, this is a dog that was almost lost to history when it nearly went extinct. As you can imagine, avid breeders took on the role of ensuring this perky pup remained with us. We couldn’t live without its adorability!

• It’s name has a cool meaning. Another cool and unique thing about the Shar-Pei dog is it’s name. Many dogs are named after the person who developed their breed or the place the breed first emerged. The Shar-Pei dog on the other hand has a name with a literal meaning:

Shar Pei means ‘sand-paper coat’ because its fur is short and tough or bristly

• You’ll never guess what colour its tongue is. Its tongue is another prized point of interest. Like the Chow Chow (that like the Shar-Pei is also originally from China) this breed has a blue-black coloured tongue. Talk about originality!

• One of the oldest dogs. The Shar-Pei dog has wrinkles, and to boot, it’s one of the oldest breeds around. It’s been in existence since 200 B.C! If your heart is set on this adorable wrinkly dog, consider having dog insurance to keep them safe.

Is a Shar-Pei a good family dog?

The Shar-Pei is a totally devoted and engaged family dog and will be your loving protector. (They’re less enthused about strangers who they’re likely to be wary of). These dogs can be better suited to older children because the littlies might want to be more involved in ear tugging and child play while this dog is more laid back.

That said, this breed is a very active dog that should have routine exercise to stay healthy and happy.

They have brains to match their brawns so will benefit from a good balance of daily mental and physical activity. Consider walking them for an hour or so daily (or sending them on adventure dog walking if you don’t have time) and giving them puzzle toys and playtime.

Do Shar-Pei shed?

You’ll be happy to hear that the Shar-Pei dog has low grooming needs and sheds very little. That said, the small folds can cause skin irritation so pay special attention to checking these are clean and dry when you give them their once-a-week brush.

Find out more about routine pet care as well as flea treatment in NZ.

How many puppies do Shar-Pei have?

On average Shar-Pei dogs will have a litter of around six puppies. If you’re looking at becoming a Shar-Pei puppy parent, it’s good to keep in mind that puppies aren’t available all year round. This is because good breeding practices make sure mummy dog doesn’t have too many litters too close together.

Read all about how long dogs are pregnant and what’s involved. Also be sure to read about puppy food and pet nutrition because feeding mum dog and new puppies well is all important.

Shar-Pei puppy prices

While you may find Shar-Pei puppies on social media and trading sites for prices around $1000 these may not be accurate. That’s because buying a puppy safely and avoiding puppy scams means buying from an ethical dog breeder.

Ethical dog breeders take care of their breeding dogs and the health of the puppies. They undertake breed health testing and DNA tests if their breed is prone to certain hereditary health conditions. Importantly, ethical dog breeders are registered with Dogs New Zealand, our national kennel club.

Another option is bringing home an adopted dog. While you may or may not find a purebred Shar-Pei dog or puppy, you might still find a wrinkly dog that has checks your heart box. Consider getting puppy insurance as soon as you bring home your new fur baby. This way you’ll be able to love them with fewer worries.

Dog breed health problems

Like most breeds, Shar-Pei have some health considerations that are specific to them. As we’ve mentioned, their skin folds need attentive care so that no moisture gets trapped there. This can cause aggravation and lead to dog skin conditions.

Here are some other health considerations for this breed:

• Shar-Pei Fever. While this breed is known for being a wrinkly dog – avoid buying from breeders who’s dogs have excessive wrinkles as these pups are more prone to several hereditary health issues including Shar-Pei Fever, in-turned eyelids and ear disorders. The fever causes swollen ankles and repeated bouts can lead to health conditions like kidney failure.

• Ear infections. Dogs are particularly prone to ear infections because of their unusual ear canal that traps moisture and debris. Shar Pei are a breed that’s especially prone to dog ear infections because of their narrow ear canal. Ask your vet about ear cleaning and how often you should do this at home.

• Pododermatitis. Keep an eye out for Shar-Pei dogs licking their paws a lot because this likely means infection. Their cute little feet can get inflamed on their paw pads, nails or between the toes. Several things can be the cause from Cushing’s disease to allergies.

Once your vet diagnoses the cause they can help outline a treatment plan. It’s great to have dog insurance at the ready to help cover these unforeseen costs which can suddenly and unexpectedly amass into the triple digits.

How big will a Shar-Pei get?

Good question! Let’s look at how big and heavy this wrinkly dog breed gets, along with some other interesting fast facts:

Life span	8 – 10 years
Height	44 – 51 cm
Weight	16 – 29 kg
Size	Medium
Coat	Short and hard
Coat colours	Black, cream, fawn, lilac, red and sand

Award winning dog and cat insurance

Whether your pet is a Shar Pei puppy, another dog breed or you’ve got a meowser, consider giving them the protection of pet insurance. Pet insurance helps you pay for bills for unexpected vet treatments.

Your plan can help you pay for a wide range of potentially costly vet tests, treatments, pet hospital stayovers and prescribed medication. Unlike savings, your annual limit is completely replenished every year. Even if you use your entire benefit (you choose from our three levels of cover), you only pay a little each month and can have a value-rich financial safety net.

When you choose PD Insurance you get award winning cover. We’ll give you one or more months of FREE pet insurance when you buy your policy online. Get a quote today and join our pet family when you’re ready.