Miniature Shar-Pei Basics
The Shar-Pei is one of the most recognizable dog breeds out there with its wrinkled skin and blue-black tongue. When you see a Miniature Shar-Pei, you may at first assume that it is simply a Shar-Pei puppy but it is actually a unique breed. Miniature Shar-Peis share their history with the traditional Chinese Shar-Pei but they have been selectively bred down in size to make them a miniaturized version. Don’t worry, they still have all of your favorite qualities that their larger cousins have!
The Miniature Shar-Pei shares their history with the traditional Chinese Shar-Pei but they have been selectively bred down in size.
Origin
The Miniature Shar-Pei is a miniaturized version of the Chinese Shar-Pei, so it shares its origins with this breed. The Chinese Shar-Pei is considered a basal breed which simply means that its origins predate the development of modern breeds that occurred during the 19th century. The Shar-Pei comes from the Guangdong province of China where it was developed to hunt and to fend off wild boar. Because the Miniature Shar-Pei is still in development, it is not recognized as a separate breed from the Chinese Shar-Pei by the AKC – it can be registered under this name in the Non-Sporting Group.
Pedigree
The Miniature Shar-Pei is the same breed as the Chinese Shar-Pei but it has been selectively bred down in size – their miniature size is the result of a recessive gene in their DNA.
The Miniature Shar-Pei is an alert and active breed that can be playful at times.
Food/Diet
As a medium-sized dog breed, the Miniature Shar-Pei should be fed a high-quality commercial dog food diet formulated for dogs of its size. Because this breed is a high-energy hunting breed, however, an active or working breed formula may be more appropriate to meet his needs.
Training
The Miniature Shar-Pei is an intelligent breed that generally responds well to training. What you may find, however, is that these dogs do have a bit of an independent streak so you may need to exercise a firm hand in training. Starting your Miniature Shar-Pei puppy with socialization and training at a young age is your best bet for having a well-behaved adult dog. This breed is incredibly loyal to his family and they can be socialized to accept children and other household pets, though each dog is an individual. This breed needs a firm, confident leader and they will sometimes test your resolve so remain firm!
Weight
The Miniature Shar-Pei stands between 14 and 17 inches tall and weighs between 25 and 40 pounds at maturity.
Temperament/Behavior
The Miniature Shar-Pei is an alert and active breed that can be playful at times. These dogs have an independent air about them that sometimes translates into aloofness, though they are not inherently dominant or aggressive by nature. Miniature Shar-Peis are naturally clean and quiet – many owners compare them to cats in this way. When raised from a puppy, this breed forms extremely close bonds with family and they are very devoted to their owners. Plenty of socialization and training is recommended, however, to prevent the development of problem behaviors. These dogs can adapt to apartment life as long as they get enough exercise.
Common Health Problems
The Chinese Shar-Pei is a fairly old breed which, in many cases, correlates to good health. In the case of the Chinese Shar-Pei, however, rushed and inexperienced breeding has put the breed at risk for a number of inherited conditions – the Miniature Shar-Pei is prone to many of these same health problems. Some of the conditions to which this breed is prone include entropion, swollen hocks syndrome, amyloidosis, and more.
Life Expectancy
The average lifespan for the Miniature Shar-Pei breed is between 9 and 11 years.
Exercise Requirements
Although they may not look like the most active dogs, Miniature Shar-Peis do require a significant amount of daily exercise. A long walk is needed to meet the dog’s minimum daily requirements for exercise but these dogs will also appreciate having time to run in a fenced yard. When exercising your Miniature Shar-Pei outdoors, be careful to keep him hydrated because these dogs overheat easily.
Miniature Shar-Peis are naturally clean and quiet – many owners compare them to cats in this way.
AKC
Because the Miniature Shar-Pei is still in development, it is not recognized as a separate breed from the Chinese Shar-Pei by the AKC – it can be registered under this name in the Non-Sporting Group.
Coat
The Miniature Shar-Pei exhibits three different coat types and comes in a variety of colors. The “horse coat” type has a short, harsh coat while the “brush coat” type is a little longer with a velvety texture. The “bear coat” Miniature Shar-Pei has a coat 1 inch in length or longer that has a smooth, wavy texture. Miniature Shar-Peis come in a wide variety of colors including cream, fawn, apricot, chocolate, lilac, blue, black, sable, or red. These dogs need regular brushing and grooming, but their coats do not need to be trimmed.
Puppies
The average litter size for the Miniature Shar-Pei breed is 4 to 6 puppies. Because these dogs have a tendency toward independence, it is a good idea to start your Miniature Shar-Pei puppy with training from a young age. Early socialization is also important if you want your puppy to get along with children and other pets.
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