Shar pei puppy

Soot2006

Shar peis are, in my opinion, one of those breeds that you should engage with only if you are "getting into the breed" Once you get started you'll probably stick to that breed forever. So set yourself up for success.



They're not a dog for the faint-hearted, not just in health but also in behavioural/training terms. I wouldn't recommend a shar pei puppy as a first/only dog (don't know if that's your case), but rather a 2-3 year-old rescue that has a settled personality and a known health status - with that dog, learn about the breed, then consider introducing the puppy a few years later so it has an appropriate adult dog for guidance.



I worked with several lovely shar pei breeders a few years ago and they can be super dogs, very affectionate with the family etc, but they are often tricky. Lifespan 6-8 is not unusual and only the best lines seem to even hit 10 (obviously there are exceptions!). The best breeders are breeding for health and lifespan and behaviour, not for more wrinkles! At £1,000+ per puppy you want the best of the best.




(edited to add: I am definitely not personally a fan of shar peis nor of pedigree puppies personally, but I do believe that good breeders who know what they're doing for the long-term good of the breed should be supported or the bad breeders will wreck everything - even more than they already have)