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The Chinese Shar-Pei and the German Shepherd easily make it onto the list of the best dog breeds. These four-legged champs are loyal, intelligent, and confident, and they make their owners proud by serving as watchdogs, herders, and guardians. More importantly, both Shepherds and Shar-Pei create strong, long-lasting bonds as domestic pets. That’s exactly why the Shepherd Shar-Pei, the hybrid, is a great choice for dog parents!
Breed Overview
Height:
16–23 inches
Weight:
40–90 pounds
Lifespan:
8–13 years
Colors:
Black, tan, creamy, sandy, fawn, red, sable
Suitable for:
Active families with adult kids, experienced pet parents, rural life
Temperament:
Protective, faithful, dominant, stubborn, aggressive toward strangers
With this dog on your side, you won’t have to worry about intruders, no matter how big or small. The Shar-Pei German Shepherd hybrid is confident, courageous, and has a witty brain. With that, this is a territorial and aggressive beast, one that can only be domesticated via proper training. So, how do you get started with that? Can the Shar-Pei Shepherd crossbreed get along with other pets? What kind of food do you feed it? Time to find out!
Shar Pei German Shepherd Mix Puppies
This is a rare crossbreed, and it’s not very popular among dog parents in the States or the EU. Therefore, don’t be surprised if they don’t have a Shar-Pei German Shepherd at your local shelter, rescue organization, or adoption center. Most likely, you’ll have to turn to breeders for a pup. And the important thing to remember here is to not buy from the cheapest sellers in the area. Otherwise, you’ll end up with an ill-treated, poorly-mannered pooch.
Another common mistake among first-time dog buyers is they put too much trust into the breeder. Instead, ask for access to the “dog quarters” and request their medical records. A reputable breeder will have no problem sharing all that information with a potential buyer. If they refuse, that means you’re dealing with a puppy mill. Shepherd Shar-Pei puppies require obedience training and socialization. If the breeder doesn’t handle that, it will take tremendous effort to tame the pet.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Shar Pei German Shepherd Mix
Hybrid dogs often prove to be a handful for a first-time dog owner, as you can never be 100% sure about their character and personality. For example, if the Shepherd Shar-Pei takes after its Chinese mom, you’ll get a stubborn and self-willed companion. On the other hand, if it turns out to be extremely smart and talented, that means the dog is more like its German dad. Most likely, your pup will be a little bit of both: witty, steadfast, loyal, and headstrong.
The Shar-Pei German Shepherd is a multi-talented doggo that can guard the property, watch over the livestock, track down bad guys, and be a gentle, loving pet that follows commands. With that, it also tends to be hostile around other animals, especially cats and male dogs. Thankfully, these behavioral patterns can be altered through early socialization and obedience training sessions. We’ll talk about that in a moment.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 
German Shar-Pei dogs are best suited for active and experienced owners who know how to interact with a rebellious pet. The good news is that these canines aren’t clingy, but they expect you to spend at least an hour or two with them. We’re talking about playing games, doing some morning runs, or enjoying the local park. Single dog fans and large families looking to get a strong, capable companion will find this hybrid to be a great choice.
As for seniors, they might be a bit overwhelmed by the Shar-Pei Shepherd’s temperament. If the doggo takes after the German breed, it will be a perfect fur baby for an older couple: docile, helpful, and loyal. However, if it adopts the “insurgent” genes of a Chinese Shar-Pei, it will be much harder to control its instincts and avoid trouble with the neighbors and their pets. Even your distant relatives might not always get a warm welcome from this moody bud.
What About Little Children?
We don’t recommend adopting a Shar-Pei German Shepherd mix if you have small children in the house. While Shepherds are officially recognized as one of the best breeds to have around kids, Chinese dogs aren’t nearly as patient or tolerant because of the above-average prey drive and their upbringing. That’s why you should only consider welcoming this mixed-breed home once the children become older.
Even then, it will be your responsibility to provide supervision to both parties. Early socialization is a very powerful tool for raising dogs, but that doesn’t mean the pet won’t suddenly become aggressive when mistreated by the kids. It’s a large animal with a loud bark and a tendency to become aggressive toward potential threats, and that’s a disaster waiting to happen. And please remember that this hybrid dog likes to have some alone time now and then.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
By default, the German Shar-Pei isn’t particularly happy to be in the company of other pets, especially if it takes after the Chinese parent. Again, this breed was brought up as a hunter, and the centuries-old patterns won’t go anywhere once you adopt it. On the bright side, the hybrid will probably tolerate a fellow dog if you raise the two fur babies together. Show the dog that it’s okay to be friends, and it might just agree!
This way, you can make sure the doggo won’t start a fight the second you leave the house. Unfortunately, this doesn’t apply to cats, as they trigger hunting instincts. And what if you already have a dog at home? Will the Shar-Pei German Shepherd be able to get along with it? Most likely, the answer is going to be yes, but it will take more time and dedication.
Things to Know When Owning a Shar Pei German Shepherd Mix:
Food & Diet Requirements
Although this mixed breed is hailing from Germany and China, you won’t have to feed it fancy or exotic meals. Just like most large dogs, the Shar-Pei German Shepherd likes to chew on premium-quality, tasty food. With that, make sure it includes little to no filler ingredients and has the right protein-carbs-fats mix (plus vitamins and minerals) for your dog’s activity level, sex, age, and medical conditions, if any.
Talk to a veterinarian about finding the best dry or wet food that will not only keep the pet fed but also help it avoid obesity. This crossbreed is not particularly prone to gaining extra weight, but it could still be a problem. Also, always keep the food bowl half-full and feed the dog 3–4 times a day. This is a highly effective countermeasure against bloat.
Exercise
So, how much time will you have to spend with this dog? That greatly depends on which parent the four-legged companion ends up leaning toward. Shepherds are more active and energetic than Shar-Pei and need at least 1–1.5 hours of exercise to burn off excess energy. In contrast, Shar-Pei will do just fine with only 30–40 minutes, or even less. This can be a walk around the block, a short yet intensive jog, or a game of Fetch.
If you’re not sure exactly how energetic your dog is, discuss the matter with a veterinarian. Ideally, it should be a person who’s seen and examined the pet before.
Training
A bold, unyielding dog like the German Shar-Pei requires obedience training to learn appropriate social behavior. Without it, the pup will always try to assert dominance and “beef” with other pets instead of being friendly. So, start by teaching the dog basic commands like “come”, “sit”, “stop”, and “no”. And don’t forget about the “don’t bark” command, as the Shar-Pei German Shepherd hybrid tends to get vocal.
Start while the dog is still a puppy, as its character will develop at a very tender age. In training, strive to be a capable leader with a strong hand, yet praise the dog’s good behavior with treats and positive reinforcement, as it doesn’t like to be pushed around. In addition, socialize the chap by introducing it to different places and faces. Encourage it to interact with other dogs to build confidence and boost its social skills. For that, consider joining a puppy class.
Grooming
Does your mixed-breed dog have a short coat? Then you’re in luck. Before, it would only take a single brush weekly to keep it in shape. Medium-sized fur, in turn, should be groomed once in 4–5 days or even more often. A comb to keep it tangle-free will come in handy as well. Brush the pet’s teeth 2–3 times a week, clean its ears once or twice a week, and trim its nails every month. And don’t overdo it with the bathing: once in 1–2 months will do.
This doggo has somewhat sensitive skin (inherited from both parent breeds) that can get itchy and irritated if you wash it too often.
Health and Conditions
Hybrid dogs are often leaner, meaner, and healthier than their parent breeds, and the Shar-Pei German Shepherd is a great example of that. This is a tough, well-built doggo that’s no stranger to hard work or a harsh climate. As for the most common medical issues, the list includes dysplasia, eye problems, and bloat, among other things. Here’s a closer look at the symptoms and treatment suggestions:
Male vs Female
The biggest difference between male and female dogs is, of course, the size. We’re talking about 5–6 inches and 15–20 pounds here, plus a deeper chest and heavier bones. More importantly, the boys are known for scent marking, mounting, and being extremely territorial. Male dogs are more aggressive, especially around same-sex canines. Therefore, if you’re in the market for a natural-born, fear-inducing guardian, a male Shepherd Shar-Pei mix will be the obvious choice.
In contrast, females are not only smaller but they’re also more peaceful and docile. And it takes less time and effort to train a female dog. That said, female dogs in heat are often slow and weak yet restless and aggressive. Other common side effects include frequent urination, “flirting” with the boys, and even attempts to leave the house. So, don’t be afraid if your female doggo is acting a bit strange: that means it’s looking for a father for its future babies!
3 Little-Known Facts About the Shar Pei German Shepherd Mix
1. This Is a Flexible, Quick-To-Adapt Breed
For most dogs, a change of environment can be rather stressful: it takes time to adapt to new circumstances. As creatures of habit, they can get anxious or depressed when moved to a different home, introduced to new pets, or taken to an unfamiliar veterinarian clinic. Well, you won’t have these problems with this hybrid. Shepherds have always been praised for their ability to handle changes, no matter how big or small.
They’re always excited about new experiences, be it a change in the schedule, living conditions, or something else. The Chinese champs aren’t particularly lazy, either: they like adventures just as much as their German relatives and won’t cause trouble on a camping trip or even on a plane to a different country. As a bonus, the Shar-Pei German Shepherd mixed breed doesn’t mind being alone for a couple of hours, away from its owners.
2. Shepherd Shar Pei Are Exceptional Guardians
You’ll be hard-pressed to find breeds that are more protective than these buds. They might not be very open (or trusting) with outsiders, but when it comes to the people they care for, Shepherd Shar-Pei are fearless and ruthless guardians. Now, this hybrid isn’t the biggest doggo out there—far from that. On average, it weighs 50–70 pounds and reaches 20+ inches in height. It’s the imposing presence, strong, muscular body, and alpha mentality that get the job done.
Thus, if you have a large property in a rural area and need a faithful, reliable “gatekeeper”, the Shar-Pei German Shepherd mix will always have your back.
(@sierratheshepherd_sharpei)3. These Mighty Dogs Are Heavy Droolers
German Shepherds aren’t that big on drooling, but the same can’t be said about Shar-Pei pups. We have the loose jowls, wrinkled faces, and hanging lips to thank for that. So, see that you have a towel or two at the ready if you’re planning on making the Shepherd Shar-Pei a part of the family. Or buy the dog a bib/bandana (crafted from absorbent cloth) as a birthday present: it will soak in all that spit and minimize the mess.
Putting a large rug on the floor, right next to the pup’s bowls is another great idea. Next, make sure it’s been 3–4 hours since the Shar-Pei German Shepherd’s latest meal before hopping on a road trip. It’s no secret that our furry buds get motion sickness, and a full tummy won’t exactly help with that! Lastly, don’t forget to clean the dog’s teeth and have the boy/girl checked at a vet clinic at least once in 6–8 months.
Final Thoughts
Faithful guardian: That’s the best way to describe the Shar-Pei German Shepherd. Brought into this world by some of the most capable protectors in the Canine Kingdom, these dogs are ready to put their lives at risk for the sake of the family. With that, this is a dominant breed, a strong-willed and stubborn doggo that will only follow people it respects. So, if you don’t have previous experience as a dog owner, the Shepherd-Shar-Pei hybrid might prove to be a challenge to handle.
It doesn’t take kindly to strangers and won’t tolerate noisy, rambunctious children. Ideally, you should only adopt this hybrid if you live on a large property and need a smart, courageous dog to keep watch while you’re away. It’s bred for big, active families with adult kids who like to get busy and don’t mind putting effort into obedience training. Earn its trust, and the Shar-Pei German Shepherd mix will become your most loyal (and affectionate) companion!
Featured Image Credit: Left – Liliya Kulianionak, Shutterstock | Right – Anna Dudkova, Unsplash
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