Chow Pei
Hybrid Breed Description
The Chow Pei is a cross between the Chow Chow and the Shar Pei. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Chow Pei. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow presents a distinctive and powerful appearance with a sturdy, square build that combines strength with an almost regal bearing. Males typically stand between nineteen and twenty inches at the shoulder, while females measure slightly smaller at eighteen to twenty inches. Weight ranges from forty-five to seventy pounds, with males generally being heavier than females. The breed's compact, well-balanced body creates a square profile where the height at the withers equals the length of the body. This medium-sized dog exhibits substantial bone structure and strong muscular development beneath its thick coat, giving it a powerful yet dignified appearance. One of the breed's most recognizable features is its exceptionally dense double coat, which comes in two varieties. The rough coat stands off from the body with a thick, abundant outer layer and woolly undercoat, creating a distinctive lion-like mane around the neck and shoulders. The smooth coat variant has a shorter outer layer without the pronounced ruff or feathering on the legs and tail. Both coat types provide excellent protection against harsh weather conditions. The Chow Chow's coat appears in five standard colors including red (ranging from light golden to deep mahogany), black, blue, cinnamon, and cream, with the breed standard requiring solid colors or shading primarily in the ruff and tail areas. The head is broad with a flat skull and medium-length muzzle, creating the breed's characteristic scowling expression enhanced by facial wrinkles. Small triangular ears sit erect and point forward, contributing to the alert appearance. Perhaps the Chow Chow's most unique physical trait is its blue-black tongue, a feature shared with only a few other breeds. The eyes are deep-set and almond-shaped, while the nose should be black except in blue-coated dogs where it may be slate-colored. The tail is thick at the base, tapers toward the tip, and carries high in a distinctive curl over the back.
Key Characteristics
The Chow Chow possesses a temperament that reflects centuries of breeding as an independent guard and working dog. These dogs are known for their dignified, aloof demeanor and strong sense of self-possession. Unlike many breeds that eagerly seek attention from everyone, the Chow Chow typically reserves its affection for one or two family members, forming an intensely loyal bond with its chosen person. This selective devotion, combined with natural independence, creates a personality often compared to that of a cat. The breed maintains a calm, quiet disposition and generally does not seek constant interaction or approval, preferring to observe situations from a distance before engaging. Intelligence and stubbornness characterize the Chow Chow's approach to training and daily life. While these dogs learn quickly and understand commands readily, they often choose whether and when to comply based on their own assessment of the situation. This independent thinking stems from their history as dogs bred to make decisions while guarding property or herding livestock. Early socialization proves absolutely critical for this breed, as their natural wariness of strangers can develop into unwarranted aggression without proper exposure to various people, animals, and situations during puppyhood. The Chow Chow makes an excellent watchdog, alert to perceived threats but typically not prone to excessive barking. With family members, particularly their chosen person, Chow Chows display deep devotion and protective instincts. However, they generally do not enjoy rough play or excessive handling, preferring instead to be near their people rather than constantly touching them. The breed tends toward dominance and requires an owner who can establish clear, consistent leadership through patience and firm but gentle guidance. Harsh training methods prove counterproductive and can damage the dog's trust. Early training and socialization help channel the Chow Chow's protective nature appropriately, creating a well-mannered companion who can distinguish between real threats and normal situations.
The Chow Chow faces several breed-specific health challenges that prospective owners should understand and monitor throughout the dog's life. Hip dysplasia ranks among the most prevalent conditions, affecting approximately fifteen to twenty percent of the breed. This developmental disorder occurs when the hip joint forms improperly, causing the ball and socket to fit loosely together rather than creating smooth, fluid movement. Over time, this condition leads to degenerative joint disease and arthritis, resulting in pain, lameness, and reduced mobility. Responsible breeders screen their dogs through organizations like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals before breeding to reduce the incidence of this inherited condition. Eye problems occur frequently in Chow Chows, with entropion being particularly common. This painful condition involves the eyelid rolling inward, causing the eyelashes to constantly irritate and scratch the cornea with every blink. Without surgical correction, entropion can lead to corneal ulcers, chronic pain, and potentially vision loss. Other eye concerns include glaucoma, cataracts, and various retinal problems that require regular monitoring. The breed's distinctive facial structure and abundant skin folds around the eyes contribute to these issues. Additionally, eosinophilic panosteitis, a painful inflammation of the long bones, can affect growing Chow Chows between six and ten months of age, causing shifting leg lameness that typically resolves without permanent damage but requires pain management. The typical lifespan of a Chow Chow ranges from eight to twelve years, though some individuals live longer with excellent care. Bloat or gastric dilatation-volvulus represents a life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and potentially twists, cutting off blood flow. This condition requires immediate veterinary intervention. The breed is also susceptible to autoimmune thyroiditis, various skin problems related to their dense coat and skin folds, and dental disease. Regular veterinary checkups, maintaining a healthy weight, providing appropriate exercise without overexertion in hot weather, and keeping skin folds clean and dry all contribute to longevity and quality of life. Preventive care and early detection of health issues prove essential for this breed.
Shar Pei
The Shar Pei is instantly recognizable by its most distinctive feature - abundant wrinkled, loose skin that covers the head, neck, and shoulders. Adult dogs typically stand between seventeen and twenty inches tall at the shoulder, with males generally slightly larger than females. Weight ranges from forty-five to sixty pounds for males and thirty-five to fifty-five pounds for females. The breed exhibits a compact, medium-sized build with a square body profile. Their muscular physique appears surprisingly solid beneath the wrinkled exterior, with strong legs and a broad, deep chest that contributes to their sturdy appearance and powerful presence. The Shar Pei's head is large and distinctive, featuring a broad, flat skull and a characteristic hippopotamus-like muzzle that appears wide, padded, and fleshy. Small, triangular ears fold forward and sit high on the skull. Deep-set eyes appear small and almond-shaped, often seeming to peer out from the surrounding skin folds. The breed's coat is remarkably unique, coming in three varieties: horse coat (extremely short, prickly, and harsh to the touch), brush coat (slightly longer and less harsh), and the rarer bear coat (longer and softer). This short, bristly coat earned the breed its Chinese name which translates to "sand skin." The coat comes in numerous solid colors including red, black, chocolate, blue, cream, and fawn. Another distinctive feature is the breed's blue-black tongue, a trait shared with the closely related Chow Chow. Wrinkles decrease significantly as Shar Pei puppies mature into adults, though some individuals retain more pronounced folds than others throughout their lives. The modern Western Shar Pei, often called the "meat mouth" variety, displays heavier wrinkling and a fleshier muzzle compared to the traditional "bone mouth" type originally popular in China. The tail is thick at the base, tapers to a point, and curves over the back in a characteristic curl. The breed's unique appearance results from a genetic condition called hyaluronosis, which causes elevated levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin, creating the distinctive thickened, folded appearance.
Key Characteristics
The Shar Pei exhibits a complex temperament characterized by independence, loyalty, and a naturally reserved disposition. These dogs form deep, unwavering bonds with their family members but tend to be quite selective about whom they trust and accept. Many Shar Pei choose one person as their primary attachment, showering that individual with devoted loyalty while remaining more aloof with other family members. This independent nature, combined with an alert and protective instinct, makes them excellent watchdogs who take their guarding responsibilities seriously. The breed maintains a calm, dignified bearing and does not seek constant attention or approval from everyone they encounter. Intelligence marks the Shar Pei personality, though this intelligence comes paired with a stubborn, strong-willed nature that can challenge inexperienced dog owners. These dogs learn quickly and understand what is expected of them, but they often choose whether to comply based on their own assessment of the situation's merit. Early socialization proves absolutely critical for this breed, as their natural wariness toward strangers can develop into problematic aggression or excessive shyness without proper exposure to various people, animals, and environments during puppyhood. The Shar Pei requires an owner who can establish clear, consistent leadership through patient, positive training methods. Harsh corrections or physical punishment prove counterproductive and can damage trust or trigger defensive behaviors. While devoted to their families, Shar Pei generally do not display overt affection or enthusiasm for constant physical contact. They prefer to be near their people rather than on them, showing their love through quiet companionship and vigilant protection. The breed can be challenging around other dogs, particularly those of the same sex, and may display dominant or territorial behaviors without proper training. With older children who understand how to respect a dog's space and signals, Shar Pei can form good relationships, though their reserved nature and dislike of rough play make them less suitable for homes with very young children. Early training, consistent boundaries, and ongoing socialization help shape a well-mannered companion.
The Shar Pei faces numerous serious health challenges, many directly linked to the breed's distinctive wrinkled appearance caused by elevated hyaluronic acid levels. Entropion affects nearly one in five Shar Pei, making it the most common disorder veterinarians diagnose in this breed. This painful condition occurs when the eyelid rolls inward, causing eyelashes and hair to constantly scratch the cornea. Without surgical correction, entropion leads to chronic pain, corneal ulcers, and potential vision loss. The excessive skin folds around the eyes predispose the breed to this problem, which often requires corrective surgery performed before one year of age. Familial Shar Pei Fever represents a serious genetic condition affecting approximately twenty-three percent of Western Shar Pei. This autoinflammatory disease causes recurring episodes of high fever (often exceeding 103 degrees) accompanied by swelling in the hock joints, creating a distinctive fluid-filled appearance. Episodes typically last twenty-four to forty-eight hours and can occur every few weeks. Over time, the condition leads to amyloidosis, where abnormal protein deposits accumulate in the kidneys and liver, ultimately causing organ failure often by age six. While medication helps control inflammation, no cure exists for this hereditary condition. Skin problems also plague the breed, as the deep wrinkles trap moisture, dirt, and bacteria, creating an ideal environment for bacterial and fungal infections, allergic skin disease, and demodectic mange. The average Shar Pei lifespan ranges from seven to eleven years, considerably shorter than many breeds of similar size. Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and patellar luxation affect joint health and mobility. Ear infections occur frequently due to the breed's narrow ear canals and small, folded ears that restrict airflow. The thick, padded lips increase risk of dental disease and oral infections. Hypothyroidism, various eye conditions beyond entropion, and breathing difficulties related to their brachycephalic facial structure also affect the breed. Careful daily cleaning and thorough drying of skin folds, regular veterinary monitoring, genetic health testing of breeding stock, and working with responsible breeders who prioritize health over extreme conformation all prove essential for managing these breed-specific health concerns.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Chow Pei may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Chow Chow and Shar Pei to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.