Anyone own a Sher Pei?

Sunroof · 04-12-2010, 08:16 AM

We are fostering a female, puppy (less than a year old) Sher Pei. She is pure bred. Amazing animal. From what I have researched they are fiercely loyal, strong, noble, not good with kids, great guard dogs and have a face only a mother can love!

Anyone with experience with these dogs would help us greatly. We have had the dog for several days (no tags nor chip) after a co-worker found her somewhat emaciated and avoiding people. We think she was abused and tossed out.

So far she has trusted us, but is cautious as expected. She gets closer to my wife and I more each day. We expect to nurse her back to good health, show her as much as attention as needed and perhaps adopt her in the future.

Thanks for any and all feedback on this fascinating breed.

Bob

berettafan · 04-12-2010, 09:02 AM

An aunt and uncle owned 2 for some years.

Never saw them when visiting as they were locked away.

Did hear many stories about eating doors, breaking chains and generally making a fantastic argument for euthanization. VERY dangerous animals per aunt/uncle.

Sunroof · 04-12-2010, 09:15 AM

........We borrowed a neighbors kennel (crate) and she unlocked the gate!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have owned several dogs over the years, but NEVER have I ever seen a dog figure out how to open a latch on a gated crate.....

They were bred as Chinese Guard dogs. They protected toombs and estates going back to 200 AD. They are supposed to be fearless, but then it depends too on general demeanor. This dog so far has been a real sweetheart, but her true personality I believe has yet to come out due to the trauma she went through. We were told they hated to be around water, yet we took her on our sailboat this weekend and she absolutely loved being onboard!

It be nice to get first hand experience with the breed.

Bob

varmint · 04-12-2010, 09:23 AM

i know a famous shar pei. sadie failed out of the caeser milan program. she tried to take a chunk out of him while he was breaking up a fight.

she belongs to the creative director at a local ad agency. and is very sweet to me at least. she sleeps under the desk while i work. we go for walks sometimes during lunch.

she is insanely dog aggressive. has to wear an ugly choke collar.

honestly i don't know whether to blame the breed or the owners. her's are not good dog people.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

A good Porsche buddy in VA had one and it was the most ill-tempered, meanest dog I've ever seen. It was never not on a leash or in a crate when I was there and I was still terrified of it, but only because I'd feel bad about shooting it in front of its owner if I had to. I am a dog lover, Cesar Milan is a client of mine and I generally have zero fear of dogs. Shar Pei's are pure evil and I can't imagine anyone wanting one.

Rikao4 · 04-12-2010, 09:38 AM

thank you for trying...

the wrinkles / folds can cause skin issues..
try / must socialize ...
very loyal & protective..

Rika

Brian 162 · 04-12-2010, 04:36 PM

My friend had one. It was always at the vet.
I think a Porsche would have been cheaper.

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

My in-laws have a male half lab/half shar-pei.

It is a horrible, nasty dog.

I am the only person it listens to, but I don't trust it.

Enough said.

rouxroux · 04-12-2010, 05:50 PM

There are a few in our training center's conformation classes...The owners love their dogs, but have had quite a time with each of them, health wise.

Sunroof · 04-12-2010, 06:13 PM

Here is Lily.

72doug2,2S · 72doug2,2S's Garage

Is the pen a namesake?

jim72911t · 04-12-2010, 08:13 PM

Sort of. My dog is a Shar pei/Australian Shepherd mix. He is extremely loyal, loving and dumb as a box of rocks. Despite (barely) graduating from obedience school, he does listen, sometimes, when he wants to

. He is also very good with kids; in fact, he loves them.

Wouldn't trade him for the world, but I've never dealt with a purebred.

Barney:

TRE Cup · TRE Cup's Garage

pure breds have skin problems , breathing problems.
A good friend had a pack of them, and they were sweet hearts to be around, once they knew you.
Different dogs, different personalities.
Personally i don't like the coarse coat (like petting 360 grit sandpaper) or the looks, but can see where people find them adorable too

Sunroof · 04-13-2010, 04:21 AM

We only have had the dog for a week as we try to nurse her back. With a face like that, we had to name her "Lily"............
I understand the breed was revitalized when it was introduced to the US back in the 60's, but overbreeding have created several disorders. You can see that her right eye is smaller then her left. This condition is called, "entropion", where the eyelid and lashes fold inward causing pain, abrasion and possible blindness. Its corrected only by expensive surgery.

The hair indeed is very course, but on the plus side she does not shed, its not oily and not that hard to the touch. Shar Pei in Chinese is "shark skin". Her color is classified as Apricot 403by the AKC that list this breed as its 134th to be recognized.

Within a week, she has been very loyal, a slobbering kisser, social with friends, family and other dogs and has been easy to train (sit, stay, paw, etc). In a very peculiar way has knows we have rescued her. We finally witnessed her protective and aggressive nature when a motocycle was behind me at a light (Lily was in the back seat of the 911) and she went nuts! If I would have let out, quite possibly she could have eaten the guy! Good doggie!!!!!!!!!

Bob