Chinese Shar-Pei

[Finkie_Mom]

Chinese Shar-Pei may look sad or wistful, but once you get to know one, you'll find them goofy and fun, the perfect roll-on-the-grass companion. They are lovable and fiercely devoted to their families, building strong bonds and powerful attachments to the people who care for them.

However, they also have a dignified, proud and sometimes aloof side, especially when new people or pets enter the mix. They can be independent, willful and choosy about which commands to follow.
Generally silent dogs, they will bark-and sometimes do more than just bark-when they sense a threat. It's no wonder they were used as guard dogs in ancient China. With the proper introduction, however, they will allow their friendly and goofy sides to shine through.

This noble and dignified breed can sometimes be hard to train. Bored with repetition, they need a firm but loving hand to remind them who's the boss. Chinese Shar-Pei were bred to hunt and fight, and those instincts can sometimes resurface. Proper training and socialization will soften that side.
Chinese Shar-Pei will get along fine in apartments, provided they get daily walks. Their padded heads are sometimes sensitive to heat, so make sure they get plenty of shade and water.
Because of the skin folds around their eyes, Chinese Shar-Pei have poor peripheral vision. Their wrinkles, in general, should be cleaned for dirt, dust and insects. Their coats should be brushed regularly.
A healthy Chinese Shar-Pei can live as long as 10 years. Common health problems include skin allergies, ear infections and an eye condition called entropion in which the eyelids fold inward.