Chow Pei (Chow Chow & Shar-Pei Mix): Facts and Personality Traits

Chow Pei Chow Chow Shar-Pei mix

Chow Chow and Shar-Pei mix is commonly known as Chow Pei. Chow Pei is a result of breeding two Chinese dogs: Chow Chow and Shar-Pei. But it is believed that the Chow Pei mix breed was originated in the United States.

There is not a lot of information available on when the breeding was started. What we know is that Chow Pei was bred to be an all-purpose dog. It is an independent dog by nature, and it is famously known for being anti-social.

Chow Pei makes an excellent watchdog because of hunting traits from Chow Chow and guarding skills coming from Shar-Pei. Chow Pei needs a lot of training and socialization to be friendly towards children and family.

Let’s have a look at its parents to get more information about this breed.

Quick Facts About Chow Pei’s Parents

Shar-Pei

Shar-Pei is a Chinese dog that was used as a guard and hunting dog. Later on, he became a favorite pet of warlords and emperors. They are incredibly loyal and brave. You can easily recognize a Shar-Pei because of their wrinkled skin.

In today’s age, Shar-Pei is an independent dog with a strong will. They are highly protective and devoted to their owners. They are not very friendly with strangers but they love the company of the people who they bond with.

Since they were used as a fighting dog, Shar-Peis can show some aggression towards other animals like cats. Early socialization and consistent training is a must to avoid any attack.

Chow Chow

Chow Chow is one of the oldest dogs you can find. It is believed that they came from North China. Chow Chow is known as the lion-dog of China.

They were used for the protection of Tibetan temples and kept by royals as a guard dog. Nowadays, they are the top favorite pet dog in China.

Chow Chow is often compared to a cat because of his personality. Chow Chow can be independent, reserved, and stubborn at times.

He would love to spend time playing with the owner but doing his things alone will give him pleasure equally. Just like Shar-Pei, Chow Chow needs early socialization as well to become friendly towards other animals and people.

Chow Chow and Shar-Pei Mix Breed Info and Facts

Appearance

Chow Pei can get his physical appearance from either of its parents, but usually, Chow Pei has wrinkled or loose skin on the head and neck, just like Shar-Pei.

Their ears resemble Chow Chow, and their coat can either be short or long but is most likely to be thick and soft.

The appearance can be different from Chow Pei to Chow Pei and it depends on which side of a parent is shown more in your puppy.

Colors

Chow Peis can have brown eyes while their nose could be in black or brown color.

Their coat color can have the following possibilities:

  • Black
  • Brown
  • White
  • Sable
  • Brindle

Size and Weight

Chow Peis are medium-sized dogs with a stocky build. They are known for their strong neck and upper body. They can build a fairly good amount of muscle.

A fully grown male Chow Pei can weigh around 40 to 60 pounds while a fully grown female can weigh anywhere between 35 and 50 pounds.

They are short in size and not very tall. Their legs are relatively short as well. Females are around 13 to 16 inches tall when fully grown while males can reach up to a height between 13 and 20 inches.

Personality and Temperament

Chow Pei’s personality and temperament highly depend on the genes he gets from his parents. His character can be different from another individual of the same breed if a parent’s side is shown more than the other.

Chow Pei can be very loyal, intelligent, loving, and alert. One thing is for sure that Chow Pei is not going to be friendly with children or strangers.

You will need to give him a lot of training and socialize him from an early age to make him a friendly pet.

Chow Pei is going to be a lot friendly inside the house with kids, and people once trained. For the outside world, you will need to teach him consistently and introducing him to new challenges and situations to socialize.

Both Chow Chow and Sher-Pei are quite intelligent dog breeds so Chow Pei is going to be intelligent as well, but unfortunately, his intelligence is not going to come in handy when it comes to training.

Because of the independent nature of Chow Pei, training to of your beloved dog is not going to easy. You will need a lot of time and patience to train your Chow Pei. Be ready to face a challenging situation as it might test your limit.

Chow Chow and Shar-Pei mix is a highly active dog breed. Your Chow Pei needs a moderate to high amount of exercise daily.

Chow Pei is not usually a vocal dog and only barks when sensing some intruder or danger, which is good news if you love your peace.

Chow Chow and Shar-Pei mix get hunting skills from their ancestors. They are famously known to wander around and go where their nose takes them. They would love to follow a smell and investigate various things around their environment.

Your Chow Pei can be left alone for a while. Unlike other dog breeds, this dog loves to be on his own. So if you have a busy schedule, your Chow Pei can take care of his own.

But still, he prefers to be around people with who he has bonded. Last but not least, always try to keep your Chow Pei on a leash when taking him outside. This is in everybody’s interest.

Lifespan

The life expectancy of a Chow Pei highly depends on his breeding parent. If the Shar-Pei used in breeding is from descending of American quality, then your Chow Pei is going to live a little bit less.

But if your Chow Pei’s parents are purely Chinese bred dogs, then your dog will surely live a little bit longer.

They can live from 10 to 15 years on average. Many factors can affect their lifestyle and increase or decrease their life expectancy. Factors like health risks, exercise, and diet should always be in check to make sure they can live as long as they can.

Chow Chow and Shar-Pei Mix Basic Needs

Your Chow Pei requires a lot of training and socialization to start. His energy level is very high, so be ready to spend a good amount of time every day to burn his energy.

By any means, this is not a dog to be owned if you are a first-time owner of a pet dog. Here are some information on the basic requirements of a Chow Pei such as training, exercise, food, space, and grooming needs.

Training Requirements

It is going to be a challenge for you to train a Chow Pei. Their independent and dominant nature is going to create some difficulties for you. While training a Chow Pei, you will need a firm approach with patience.

Be ready to spend lots of time as it will not be a quick training session where you can teach everything quickly.

Early socialization is a must when we talk about Chow Pei. Introduce them to new people and different animals when they are young. Try to teach them the difference between a positive and negative experience.

If regular visitors are coming to your home, then introduce them gradually to your dog. It might be a good idea to hand out treats to a visitor so that he can give it your dog when he comes home.

Some dogs are emotional and very sensitive. This is not the case with Chow Pei. When you are trying to teach your basic dog commands, try to use assertive tones.

Some polite tone or words might not be heard by your Chow Pei. A tone with assertiveness and authority is required to train your Chow Pei.

You might find your Chow Pei nipping and chewing on stuff. Whenever you see this happening, stop your dog straight away and do not move until your dog realizes by himself that what he is doing is wrong.

You can reward him by giving treat so that he understands good things coming when bad behavior stops.

Tips To Train Your Chow Pei

  • Chow Pei thinks that he knows the best. Training them is not a piece of cake. Keep your patience and focus on achieving the required results.
  • A Chow Pei should be own only by an experienced owner. First-time owners should look for other breeds as it might not be suitable for them to own this breed.
  • Try to become the pack leader by showing authority without using harsh treatments.
  • Try to stay calm when your dog is difficult to train. When he does something right, use positive reinforcement and treats as a reward.
  • Getting professional help is a good idea if you think that training a Chow Pei is becoming harder.
  • Chow Pei is an intelligent dog breed, but this is very unlikely that this intelligence will come in handy while training because of his independent nature.
  • Training is required to stop their habit of roaming. Their nose can take them to many places because of the genes of hunting dogs.

Exercise Requirements

Chow Pei is a highly active dog that might require several walks or exercise sessions a day to keep him healthy and fit. He is suitable to keep in an apartment or a house as long as his exercise demands are met.

He should get both mental and physical exercises to keep him happy. His high level of intelligence requires some activities to keep him busy.

You can always get interactive games for dogs where your Chow Pei can spend time using his intelligence. Daily walks, exercise, and games of fetching ball or rope might be a good idea to keep your dog healthy.

Always make sure that space, where your Chow Pei plays, is secured. He would play around in a fenced yard, and it is necessary to keep the place secured so that he does not wander around. Always try to give him enough space to run and play. This is required because of his high energy levels.

Chow Pei is mostly suited to the owners who have an active and healthy lifestyle. In this way, your Chow Pei can always tag along on a walk or a run.

If you are busy and do not have time to take your dog out for exercise and walk, then Chow Pei is not the dog for you.

Tips To Exercise Your Chow Pei

  • Chow Pei is a highly active dog breed. Make sure to spend some time each day to take him on a walk, run, or exercise.
  • Chow Pei is recommended to walk at least 10 miles per week.
  • This dog breed requires a minimum of 90 minutes of exercise and activities to keep him healthy. You can make two or three sessions per day to give him the required exercise.
  • Always keep your Chow Pei on a leash when taking him outside.
  • Try to use interactive games. His mental health is as important as physical health.
  • Giving Chow Pei proper exercise will keep him safe from health issues such as obesity.

Space Requirements

Chow Chow and Shar-Pei mix does not require a lot of space. All he needs is exercise and activities to keep him healthy and fit. You can either keep in an apartment or the house. But you have to make sure that he is getting all the exercise he needs.

If you are planning to keep in a yard, then you have to make sure that the yard is secured and fenced. Chow Pei loves to explore his surroundings and has hunting genes. It’s no surprise if your Chow Pei runs away from your home. His nose can take him to many places.

Food Requirements

Chow Pei needs around 3 cups of food per day. His dog food should be of high quality to make sure he gets all the proteins and nutrients.

If they are a larger dog and weigh more than 70 pounds, then you can increase a cup and give them 4 cups a day. Make sure to divide his food and give him over different times of the day.

Their legs are pretty small and are not made to handle the extra weight. Treat can be used as a reward, but anything in excess will push them towards obesity. Gaining weight would have a quite negative impact on their health.

Do not try to give food that is consumed by a human to your dog. Many people try to provide homemade food to a dog which is quite dangerous for your Chow Pei’s health.

Always stick to high-quality dog food and treats. If you are unsure what to give and what not to give, then check with your dog’s vet.

Cleaning and Grooming Needs

Chow Chow and Shar-Pei mixes require a moderate level of maintenance, usually. Most of the time, their coat is soft and thick which can either long or short.

You will need to brush the coat several times a week to remove hairs and dirt inside the coat. Brushing frequency is going to be increased in the season of increased shedding.

You can bath him once or twice a month unless he requires it more often because of his activities outside. Bathing them when needed will keep the usual dog smell away which many owners complain about.

You might need to take care of the cleaning of the ears. Not too much cleaning is required until Chow Pei ears are folded just like Shar-Pei. Don’t forget to keep their eyes, nails, and teeth in check to make sure they stay healthy.

Always look for high-quality products of grooming and cleaning for your dog. Cheap shampoo and conditioner and low-quality products might save you some money in the short term. But in the long run, your dog might suffer because of it and you will need to pay big medical bills.

Pros and Cons of Chow Chow and Shar-Pei Mix

Here I have some information for you if you are planning to own a Chow Pei. Carefully read the following information as it might help you to decide whether this dog is for you and your family or not.

Pros

  • Chow Pei is a fairly intelligent dog breed.
  • They are incredibly loyal and protective of the people with who they have bonded.
  • They can be kept in houses and apartments.
  • They can be perfect watchdogs because of their wariness of strangers.
  • Chow Pei is not a high maintenance dog breed, and you won’t have to spend so much amount of time on their grooming.
  • They look extremely adorable, and with their soft coat, you will have a fluffy companion.
  • Chow Pei is not a vocal breed, so you will not have to worry about barking all the time.

Cons

  • They are independent and strong-willed. It is a hard task to train them.
  • Early socialization and training is a must for Chow Pei to make him a friendly dog towards strangers and other animals.
  • You should provide them with a lot of exercise and activities to keep them healthy and fit.
  • Chow Pei is not a friendly dog to children and strangers. Early socialization and training is a must to avoid this trait.
  • They are tough to find and it won’t be easy for you to get your hands on a Chow Pei.
  • Chow Pei is not a cheap dog. It will cost you a great amount of money if you manage to find it.
  • Chow Peis tend to wander or roam around. They love to explore their surroundings. Make sure the area is fenced and secured where they are kept.

Prices and Expenses of Chow Pei

Chow Pei is a relatively hard to find breed. You might be lucky if you can find one in your area. The cost of a Chow Pei could be anywhere between $1000 to $2000.

Because of their unavailability in the market, there is no competition when it comes to their price and you might see their price goes higher.

If you are planning to buy a Chow Pei from overseas, then you should pay an additional pet shipping fee. His food will not cost you so much and should be around $45 per month. Always keep in mind the expenses of grooming, cleaning, and medical visits to the vet.

How and Where to Get One?

There is no easy answer to this question. Shar-Pei is one of the rarest breeds in the world right now. To find a Chow Pei is no easy task as well. You might check shelter homes to see if you are lucky enough to find a Chow Pei.

Other than that, you can get contacts from your local breeders and try your luck. It is a long shot but worth trying. Make sure that Shar-Pei used in breeding does not have a history as a fighting dog.

Make sure that the breeder has done a proper screening of the dogs. Shar-Pei is still used as a fighting dog in China and if your breeder has used one of the fighting dogs, then be ready to see some aggressive behavior and temperament in the offspring.

The last option is to try and get this dog breed from overseas. This is not the best option but you might have to go for it as finding a Chow Pei is extremely hard.

Always check all the paperwork and medical history to get satisfaction. You might want to find a breeder who is specialized in breeding Chinese dogs.

Common Health Risks of Chow Pei

Their folded skin is one of the main concerns when it comes to their health. Because of their folded skin, they can develop a rash or bacteria inside. It is not an easy place to clean and a perfect place for bacteria to grow.

Try to clean Chow Pei’s skin every week to reduce the chances of bacteria growing in there. Here are some major and minor health concerns your dog might have during his lifetime.

Major Health Concerns

  • Patellar Luxation
  • Skin Problem
  • Bloat
  • Eye Problem
  • Cancer

Minor Health Concerns

  • Bone and Joint Problems
  • Skin Fold Dermatitis

Giving your Chow Pei proper exercise and a healthy diet can reduce health risks significantly. Ensure the happiness of your dog to keep him safe.

Always take into account mental health when you are checking physical health. The mental health of a dog is as important as physical health.

Chow Chow and Shar-Pei Mix Breeding Process

Chow Chow and Shar-Pei are two medium-sized dogs, and their breeding can be in a natural way or through artificial insemination.

Make sure that both dogs have their medical history checked and are not carrying any disease. For any breeding process, you should always have purebred dogs to get all the traits and qualities of parents breed.

Natural breeding can be done when a female dog is in heat. Always check for the signs to make sure the heat cycle. Usually, a female dog can be in heat twice a year.

Swollen retinal area and bloody discharge can be noticed at this time. A male dog will get attracted to female when she is in heat. If your dam is ready for mating, she will allow the male to mount her. Otherwise, she will try to hit him to make him go away.

Make sure to keep a close eye on all this process as dogs can get hurt while breeding. A female dog can last in heat up to 11 days. In this time, a male dog can mount the female and start the breeding process.

One thing to keep in mind is that the breeding process should only be performed by an experienced breeder or by the vet. This is a complex process that requires attention to detail.

Final Thoughts

A Chow Pei is not a dog breed that is suitable for everyone. He has his own nature and needs. He needs an owner who has experience with dogs and understands the importance of training and early socialization.

Once a Chow Pei makes a bond with you and your family, he is going to be extraordinarily loyal and protective despite its aloofness.

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