Lab Pei

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT
fast facts

About Lab Pei

Height
18-25 inches
Weight
55-70 lb
Best Suited For
owners who live in a house or apartment, families with children and other pets.
Group
not applicable
Lifespan
10-12 years
Temperament
affectionate, intelligent, social, protective, energetic
Comparable Breeds
Labrador Retriever, Chinese Shar-Pei
ADVERTISEMENT

Lab Pei Basics

The sweet, rumple-faced Lab Pei makes a wonderful addition to any family as they get along well with children and other pets. While they are protective, they are not aggressive and would lean more towards a warning bark to strangers, rather than a lunge. Their Labrador Retriever and Chinese Shar-Pei lineage makes for a loving, intelligent dog that is easy to train and keen-to-please his owner. While they are not demanding, they do thrive on human attention and love to be involved in any family activity.

The Lab Pei is a mix of Labrador Retriever and Chinese Shar-Pei.

Origin

The Lab Pei is considered a hybrid dog, produced from a pure-bred Labrador retriever and pure-bred Shar-Pei. Although he is a relatively new breed of designer dog, his lineage dates back centuries. Labs were originally used back in the 19th century to help fishermen in Newfoundland, Canada haul nets, ropes and pull in fish. The Shar-Pei was bred for fighting and dates back to 220 AD China, where they ultimately became a favorite pet of emperors.

Pedigree

ADVERTISEMENT

As a hybrid, the Lab Pei does not qualify to be a member of the elite American Kennel Club’s (AKC) roster of purebreds. His parents however, have both achieved AKC status; the Labrador retriever was admitted to the club’s “sporting” group back in 1917 and the Shar-Pei became a member of the “non-sporting” group as recently as 1992.

Food / Diet

The Lab Pei is a large-sized dog that will consume up to 3-4 cups of dry food daily. Kibble size should be large (to avoid gobbling) and should be geared specifically to his age and activity level. Always opt for ingredients that indicate “meat” as a first ingredient and because he may be prone to hip dysplasia and joint issues, foods that include glucosamine are a good option. Labradors are known to over-eat so don’t plan to free-feed your dog. Meals should be spaced over two feedings and avoid fillers such as carbohydrates and grains that will further induce him to overeat in order to feel full.

The Lab Pei makes a wonderful addition to any family as they get along well with children and other pets.

Training

The Lab Pei is the hybrid of two very intelligent breeds that are keen-to-please and easy to train. As a result, your Lab Pei will quickly pick up on your verbal and hand instructions and you should find you require few repetitions to train him in both obedience and socialization. Because of the Shar-Pei “influence”, he may be willful so make sure he understands that you are the pack leader. Failure to do so may encourage an independent streak that requires a professional trainer’s assistance. As with all dog breeds, a positive, rewards-based approach to obedience and socialization training is best. Firm, consistent instructions accompanied by lots of praise and your choice of reward will result in a quick and successful training process.

Weight

The Lab Pei is considered a medium sized breed and when fully grown, he will weight 55-70 pounds depending on whether you have a male or a female.

Temperament / Behavior

ADVERTISEMENT

The Lab Pei is considered a loyal and loving dog that is even-tempered, highly responsive and ready to please his family. He enjoys active playtime that can include a tossed ball or stick, as well as a good long walk to stretch his legs. Since he is easy to train, he walks well on a leash and should be perfect for a child who has been trained on how to handle a dog. Although he isn’t aggressive, he is cautious around strangers and will bark if he feels the need. Because the Shar-Pei side of this dog’s lineage is known for being rather independent, early training is important. Note that this dog requires mental as well as physical stimulation or he can become bored and destructive.

Common Health Problems

Hybrid dogs (the offspring of two purebred dogs) won’t necessarily experience the same health issues as his parents. Many genetic disorders by-pass the hybrid entirely, however prospective owners need to research their pup’s lineage and potential health issues. As well, this breed may suffer from entropion (wrinkles causing eyelids to fold in) from the Shar Pei side (as our did). Early recognition is important for treatment, which can include tacking and surgery. If not treated, entropion can cause permanent blindness. Labrador retrievers can suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia as can the Shar-Pei who is also known to be troubled with skin issues because of the many folds in their coat. The good news is that a Shar-Pei hybrid will not have the same amount of wrinkling and should not be troubled by these issues

Life Expectancy

The Lab Pei has a life expectancy of 8 to 10 years.

Exercise Requirements

The Lab Pei is considered a large dog which means he’s going to need daily exercise that includes long walks or jogs. He has a strong instinct for play so a fenced yard or off-leash zone where he can run and interact with other dogs is ideal. Because both the Labrador retriever and the Shar-Pei tend to be on the heavier side, it’s important his exercise routine daily and rigorous in order to help him stay fit and healthy. Oddly enough, the Lab Pei doesn’t take after the Lab side of his family when it comes to water activities. He isn’t a big fan of water at all!

The Lab Pei is the hybrid of two very intelligent breeds that are keen-to-please and easy to train.

Recognized Clubs

Also known as Shar-Pei Labs, the Lab Pei is not included on the American Kennel Club’s roster of pure-bred dogs. He is however a member of the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA).

Coat

The Lab Pei’s coat tends to be similar to that of the Shar-Pei; harsh, rough and short. In fact, the English translation of “Shar-Pei” is “sand skin” and refers to the texture of his rather coarse, bristly coat. The upside is that he is a light shedder and regular brushing should be sufficient to keep him looking his best. Their coloring is typically that of the Shar-Pei which includes cream, golden, white and dark tan.

Puppies

Your Lab Pei puppy will need to be put on a diet specific for large breed dog puppies to help maintain a slower growth rate. Typically 1 cup per 6 pounds of body weight should be sufficient for growth of 2-3 pounds per week. Don’t forget that your pup comes from breeds prone to joint issues so be careful to not overexert him. Too much exercise may tire him out but can also result in joint injuries that may plague him the rest of his life. Feed him over several meal periods and ensure he has plenty of toys to keep him mentally stimulated and out of trouble.

Photo credit: bullcitydogs/Flickr; Amy the Nurse/Flickr; Kathleen Repley

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Havana Rabbit

The Havana Rabbit earned its name because its chocolate fur is the same color as Cuban cigars. It comes in 4 colors: chocolate, blue, black, and broken.

SuperZoo 2018: RC Pets Launches Adventure Harness Just For Kitties

RC Pets has launched the Adventure Kitty Harness at SuperZoo 2018, bringing feline friends their own harnesses for fun adventures.

Eastern Box Turtle

The Eastern Box Turtle is beautiful to look at, but doesn''t like being handled. The design and colors vary from one turtle to another.

Top 10 Gifts For Puppies To Make Their Season Merry And Bright

It’s puppy’s first Christmas and you want to do it right! You know Santa’s got a lot of great things on his list for baby pups and we’ve highlighted the top ten gifts for puppies this holiday season.

Cat Takes Her Dog For A Walk

Well, I guess we know who the boss in this household is! We love how the cat takes charge. Sure, the dog may seem a little hesitant at first, but he goes alo…

5 Basic Tips For Introducing Dogs To Strangers

A stranger is just a friend your dog hasn''t met - make a good first impression with these five basic tips for introducing dogs to strangers.

Here’s What You Should Know About Feline Pica

There''s nothing wrong if your cat likes to chew on some grass, but if she''s been eating some weird stuff, she may have Feline Pica.

Ready to Foster Cats? Here’s Some Advice From a Pro

If you''re ready to take the plunge and become a foster kitty mom, these amazing tips from a seasoned pro will help you out.

Ask The Hairy Dogfathers: Opinions Breed Ignorance

Everyone has an opinion, but when they''re uninformed, they''re a pain in the butt! The Hairy Dogfathers weigh in on people who comment on your dog''s size.

Ask the Hairy Dogfathers: Tugging on Walks and Heartstrings

A shoulder injury caused by a pack of pulling dogs has one reader feeling guilty about one-on-one walks. The Hairy Dogfathers know how to handle this issue.

Alaskan Husky

The Alaskan Husky is an intelligent and active breed that thrives as a sled dog or simply when given a job to do. Perfect for dog sports.

Lab Pei

The Lab Pei is a mix of Labrador Retriever and Chinese Shar-Pei. He makes a wonderful addition to any family, getting along well with children and pets.

Best Cat Collars

Cat collars are not just a stylish accessory for your pet- they can signal that your pet is not a stray and can provide contact information.

Toronto’s First Upscale Dog Resort Opens To Wagging Reviews

Park9 is where you’ll find all the hip Canadian dogs enjoying the finer things in life – like a pool, 5-star sleeping accommodations and luxe spa…

Istrian Shorthaired Hound

The Istrian Shorthaired Hound is a hunting dog, not a household pet. This active working dog is a calm and even-tempered breed.