Shar-Pei are a breed that has been around for many years. Over that time they have played important roles (the primary one being guarding), and nearly went extinct. Now, they live in our homes protecting us, and providing great companionship.

  The average Chinese Shar-Pei is 18-20 inches tall at the shoulder, and weighs 45-60 pounds. They have an average life expectancy of 8-12 years. Just as with any breed, they have to be socialized from an early age, and be given regular check ups. The check ups are especially important due to the many health issues that can develop. Here are the conditions and health issues that occur in the breed (please note that these likely aren't all that can take place, as dogs can experience many health issues just as humans can).

• Entropion- One of the most common health issues in Shar-Pei is entropion. Entropion is a condition where the eyelids fold in. This is caused by their wrinkles, the more wrinkles the more likely the issue will develop. (All of our puppies are checked for entropion before being put up for sale.)

• Infections in their skin folds- Shar-Pei are a wrinkly breed, and those wrinkles (as adorable as they are) can cause problems if not groomed properly. Bacteria can collect between them and lead to infections. To combat this, take care to inspect the wrinkles and clean between them with a cotton swab. I recommend inspecting the wrinkles at least once a week, and carefully drying between them after baths. And only wash them once a month. Washing them too often will get rid of the oils that help guard them against infections.

• Hypothyroidism- Hypothyroidism is a deficiency in thyroid hormone. The thyroid hormone controls metabolism. Without it, everything slows down.

• Demodectic mange- The demodex mange mite lives inside the hair of all dogs. Often, in short haired breeds, these mites can cause skin inflammation.

• Infection between toes- Foot infections can be caused by many things, such as stress, demodectic mange, and allergies.

• Ear infections- Shar-Pei have a very narrow ear canal, and makes it difficult to examine. Treatment can be almost impossible. Ear surgery may be required to control infections.

• Familial Sharp-Pei fever- Sharp-Pei fever is a genetic disease that causes episodes of fever up to 107ºF, which lasts for 1-2 days. They'll often have swollen hocks along with it, and the condition is associated with a malignant protein deposition (amyloidosis) in the kidneys that can lead to kidney failure. The fevers usually start during puppyhood or adolescence, though many dogs don't fit this age pattern. All Shar-Pei should be screened for protein loss in their urine regularly. (The parents of our puppies do not suffer from this condition.)

• Hip dysplasia- Hip dysplasia is a deformity of the hip. The ball and socket won't fit together properly. This can cause the joint bones to grind together while the dog is running and playing.

• Elbow dysplasia- Much like with hip dysplasia, there is a deformity between the different parts of the joint, preventing them from fitting together properly. This condition is inheritable and appears mostly in large breeds of dogs, and is often in both elbows.

• Patellar luxation- Patellar luxation is a condition where the kneecap slides out of place when the knee flexes. Dogs with this condition tend to have a more shallow femoral groove or a malalignment of the limb.