It's hard to pass by the little puppies. The cute little buns bark and play so funny that you want to immediately take one, or even two of them. However, among all breeds, the Shar Pei especially stands out. His puppy is a folded miracle that is simply impossible not to fall in love with. He is unlike any other representative of the canine world, and therefore, probably, enjoys extraordinary popularity among dog breeders. Today we will talk in more detail about the features of caring for representatives of this breed.
First impression
At first glance, these dogs are clumsy and clumsy, but at the same time very funny. And not all of them can be called sofa-like. There are quite athletic and active Shar Peis, but they are all as one – cute and very affectionate with their owners. This dog will never harm even a small child, allowing him to finger his soft folds for as long as he wants.
Shar Pei is a very attractive puppy in appearance. It is in children that the folds are especially pronounced. If you lift the baby on your palms, the heavy folds will even hang down a little from them. It is they who provide the breed with incredible popularity.
Vitamins and supplements
Puppies must be prescribed vitamins and supplements for normal development. Natural products: meat and bone meal, bran, liver, yeast, vegetable oils.
Sometimes veterinarians prescribe pharmaceutical supplements: fatty acids (Omega-3), fish oil, vitamin and mineral complexes. They are introduced carefully. The pet's reaction is monitored.
A little about the history of the breed
The Shar Pei puppy has impeccable manners from a very early age; he resembles a well-mannered, wise and in control of his emotions Chinese. This breed is so ancient that its roots are intertwined with the history of the Celestial Empire during the reign of the Qin Dynasty.
Returning to the prominent folds, it should be said that they appeared for a reason and are not at all for beauty. First of all, the Shar Pei was bred as a fighting breed, and deep soft wrinkles are needed to protect internal organs from damage.
Translated from Chinese, the word “Shar Pei” means “sand skin.” Indeed, hard and short fur, combined with subcutaneous fat, is a reliable obstacle for any attacker.
However, you should not be afraid of your pet’s fighting past; this page in the history of the breed has long been crossed out. If earlier breeders selected the most aggressive individuals for reproduction and cultivated these traits, today such dogs, on the contrary, are excluded from breeding, raising a calm companion.
Choosing a place and utensils for feeding
Before a puppy develops into an adult, independent dog, it is necessary to put in the effort, time and patience to properly care for it.
An important point is the choice of place and dishes from which the puppy will eat food. The peculiarity of Shar Peis is that they eat large amounts of food even in puppyhood.
Recommendations:
- Due to carelessness when eating food, it is recommended to purchase bowls with wide sides and deep space for your pet.
- The best materials for cookware are ceramics and steel. Plastic and vinyl bowls increase the likelihood of your pet developing allergies.
- A must-have purchase is a stand for dishes, which has a height adjustment mechanism . This is an important condition, since with a low setting there is a higher likelihood of hiccups and food contamination.
- Shar Pei bones are usually pulled from a bowl and eaten in a lying position. This is associated with predatory instincts. Therefore, it is advised to organize an additional place for feeding and accustom him to it. Usually they place a rug where the pet gets into the habit of eating bones while lying down.
Modern standard
Along with the battles, the need to breed the most folded individuals has become a thing of the past. Despite the fact that it is very beautiful and unusual, this exterior also has its disadvantages.
Shar Pei is a puppy that requires increased care and special nutrition. He is prone to allergic reactions, the consequences of which are very difficult to cure due to the fact that in the skin folds any bacteria feels like in a greenhouse, and therefore multiplies at enormous speed.
Chic, plush dogs have been replaced by dogs of a drier type. Today, this is a whole trend in the activity of breeders and it leads to the fact that taller, leaner dogs appear on the streets, having folds only on the muzzle and along the back (in some representatives they are preserved only on the forehead). Of course, this is more practical, the dog becomes less susceptible to various dermatological diseases, but from an aesthetic point of view, unfortunately, it loses a lot.
Development in the first month
The beginning of the 2nd week of life is associated with significant changes in puppies.
Almost simultaneously with their eyes, their ear canals open - this happens around the 14th day after birth, and between 2 and 3 weeks the first teeth begin to erupt.
By day 21, babies become more independent—they no longer require their mother’s help to urinate and defecate..
In addition to the formation of the basic sense organs, the 2-3rd week of a puppy’s life is associated with the laying of the foundations for the behavior of adult dogs: they try to stand on their paws and take their first steps, begin to yawn, react to external stimuli and gradually show character.
At 25-30 days, you should take the litter to the veterinarian, as some puppies may require eyelid stitching.
Description of the breed
The dogs described are relatively small, but if you need a sofa ottoman, then you are clearly making the wrong choice. Shar Pei puppies (the photo of these charmers creates the illusory impression of sleepy bumpkins) are an inexhaustible source of energy. This is a very active, energetic and sociable dog, gentle and sweet with its owners and does not get along well with its neighbors in the walking area. She will definitely try to fight with someone, and often with great damage to herself.
Features of the bite, the structure of the jaws, which are closed with luxurious folds around the mouth - all this once made the fight as safe as possible for opponents, and at the same time, spectacular. Therefore, when provoking a dog of another breed, the Shar Pei clearly does not calculate its strength.
You will probably be surprised by the color of this dog's tongue. Shar Pei puppies (we provide the photo below) are the complete opposite of all other representatives of the dog world. This is a gentle, folded miracle with a blue tongue and almond-shaped, dark eyes that always look a little gloomy under the folds. Its ears are small and dense, triangular in shape.
Feeding methods: should you limit your dog's food intake?
Shar Pei can be fed in two ways: outside the regime and according to the regime. Feeding outside the regime requires round-the-clock access to food for the Shar Pei. However, the amount of food is not limited. Owners who choose this method rely on the dog’s sense of proportion.
Unlimited mode has its advantages:
- Victory over diseases. Some individuals suffer from diseases of the kidneys, intestines, pancreas, diabetes, etc. Small, frequent meals help cope with illnesses;
- Satiety of a pregnant or lactating female. During this period, she eats more food than usual. The unlimited regime will not leave the dog hungry;
- Group feeding. If several dogs live and eat together, the owner does not have to worry about the satiety of his pets. No one will go hungry;
- Identifying features. The method of feeding outside the regime helps to identify the feeding habits of the Shar Pei. The dog will choose the time and dosage itself.
This feeding method has disadvantages:
- Obesity. Occurs due to improper excessive nutrition;
- Unnoticed lack of appetite due to the constant availability of food. It indicates an unhealthy state of the pet;
- Not suitable for puppies. Usually there is no sense of proportion in food;
- The risk of developing bone diseases as a result of frequent eating in unlimited quantities;
- Uneconomical consumption of feed, that is, large financial costs for the owner.
If you prefer feeding without a regimen, you need to choose dietary foods. They will quickly satisfy the Shar Pei's appetite and prevent obesity.
For Shar Pei puppies, it is best to create a diet. You need to stick to it until the baby grows up.
Feeding according to the regime involves time-limited dosed feeding of the Shar Pei. This method is considered the most correct, since the entire process is controlled by the owner.
Character and intelligence
Soft and timid people should not get this dog. Shar Pei puppies from a very young age understand perfectly well who is boss in the house and will definitely try to rule. But it should be noted that they are completely devoid of aggressiveness towards humans.
They are very obedient and patient, understanding and loyal. The Shar Pei has a somewhat gloomy appearance, but this is just a cover that hides a kind and sociable creature. But don't expect this dog to happily fulfill your every whim. The Shar Pei strives for independence and will always be guided by its own considerations.
Shar Pei puppies need early socialization, otherwise their cocky nature can serve you badly later. An area at a kennel club, where a dog handler regularly conducts classes, is ideal for this. Properly trained, these dogs are very intelligent creatures with a delicate but firm character. They are brave and courageous and can make a decision in a matter of seconds and act according to it.
These dogs can also be kept in an apartment. They are small, and also very responsible. A Shar Pei left alone at home will not chew furniture or do dirty tricks, but will wait for you from work. However, when alone, these dogs become very sad and bored.
Training from 6 months
At this age, the puppy begins puberty and the real rebel awakens in him. He begins to re-test the boundaries of what is permitted and, sometimes, deliberately does not respond to your commands, only in order to look at your reaction. If she is not what the puppy expects to see, then he may decide that now he can no longer carry out your commands.
Remember that a puppy is still a child.
, and excessive harshness can forever undermine his trust in you.
At this stage of the Shar Pei puppy’s growing up in training, all the shortcomings made at the previous stages, which were smoothed out by his young age, become clearly visible. And if they appear, it’s time to correct them.
In many training schools, there is an opinion that a puppy needs to be trained in two stages, the first at an early age, and the second at 8 - 10 months, in order to “consolidate” what has been learned. This is not an entirely correct position; this opinion appeared when newer operant training methods began to be added to the old “DOSAAF” rigid training methods, where they began to work with the puppy strictly after 6-7 months, including working with the method of pointing and following the “target”.
Their weakness was that they were two different techniques.
, which began to be used without adapting to each other, having a huge gap between their tools for developing training skills. The difference between them is like between choreography lessons in kindergarten and army drill training. Therefore, they required training in two stages, which were in no way connected with each other.
Modern methods based on zoopsychology make it possible to train a puppy in a single system , when no additional stages of training are required.
Feeding
But you should know that these dogs are very capricious and picky eaters. Some Shar-Peis have a very selective appetite, that is, they choose one or two types of food and do not touch the rest. By the way, it is generally very difficult to feed individual representatives of this breed with anything.
Before we talk about what to feed your Shar Pei puppy, it should be noted that you can improve his appetite through normal physical activity, regular walks and training. However, if your pet refuses to eat despite being hungry, you need to offer something else.
These dogs are very sensitive to the quality and composition of food, so you need to choose only the best. They should not be overfed, otherwise they will turn into clumsy and lazy creatures. The tendency to allergies also dictates its own conditions - you cannot change your diet too often.
At what age do you start training?
Puppy training must begin from the very first days
the presence of a dog in your home. Because already from infancy, the puppy must learn the rules of behavior in your house, what is allowed and what is forbidden, how to behave with all family members, even the smallest and oldest, what he can play with and what he can’t, where to go. toilet and much more.
And we are talking, first of all, about the proper upbringing of a Shar Pei puppy, and you can start training and learning commands when the puppy is completely comfortable in your home. As a rule, one week is enough. By this time, the puppy is already filled with curiosity and is diligently exploring the world around him. If, after this time, the puppy remains fearful and does not make contact well, then it is better to seek help from a dog handler-animal psychologist, because This behavior is not typical for puppies of this breed.
When can you start training with a dog handler?
The beginning of the puppy's training coincides with the time of the first exit to the street. When the first two vaccinations have already been done, the quarantine (lasts 7-14 days, depending on the vaccination) after them is over. It is not at all necessary to train your puppy only outside; the first sessions are best done at home, where there are fewer distractions.
Often new puppy owners worry that training from the first days will be excessively stressful for the dog. This is only possible if outdated, rigid methods are used, and with the right approach, training from the first days will, on the contrary, be very useful, since it allows you to immediately establish contact
with the puppy and build a trusting relationship.
You can start raising a puppy from the first days of its appearance in your home, and training and classes with a dog handler can begin simultaneously with the start of walks, when quarantine ends after the second vaccination.
Why you don't need to wait up to 6 months
You often hear that Shar Peis, like other dogs, cannot be trained before 6 months, because training is stressful. This opinion remains from the times of outdated methods based on cruel coercion and intimidation of the dog. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of dog handlers using similar techniques today. But fortunately, science does not stand still and modern techniques make it possible to train a puppy from the first days in a new home. Therefore, you should not wait until your Shar Pei puppy has established unwanted behavior; you can start training much earlier.
Dry food and natural nutrition
So, the best food for Shar Pei puppies is a specialized dry mixture with additives, vitamins and minerals. A must - premium food, for example, Purina. It is best used from a month to a year and a half. Moreover, before reaching six months of age, the feed should be soaked.
The growth rate of this breed is very high, so poor nutrition will certainly lead to irreversible developmental pathologies. Breed doctors recommend giving your dog one cup of food per 3 kg of weight. The puppy should gain about a kilogram per week until it gains full weight.
Up to 3 months, babies are fed three times a day, then transferred to two meals a day. It is better not to give him canned food, as the picky creature can completely switch to them. Or mix drying thoroughly with canned food. But you can’t feed your dog scraps from the table, pork and chicken on the bone.
After one and a half years, the dog can be switched to natural food. Ideally, this could be beef and chicken, several types of vegetables and cereals. All food should be dry or thick. Liquid soups are not allowed. A couple of times a week you can offer your dog eggs, kefir or fish.
What newborns look like in photos
Immediately after birth, Shar Pei puppies are similar to each other and are small lumps that lie practically motionless.
The babies are not at all independent - they have no vision, hearing or teeth; of all the puppies’ sense organs, only smell and touch are relatively developed, thanks to which little Shar Peis react to cold, warmth, pain and the smell of their mother.
A distinctive feature of Shar Peis, namely the pigmentation of the tongue with a blue or lavender color, appears 7 days after their birth, and approximately 12-15 days after birth, the puppies open their eyes.
Dimensions and weight
The average weight of newborn Shar Pei puppies is 425-475 g . Of course, body weight can be less or more; you should not worry in case of insignificant deviations from the average indicators.
However, if there are significant differences, you should contact a veterinarian and find out if the baby has developmental pathologies.
Puppies have quite pronounced sexual demorphism and the fact that males are larger than females is immediately noticeable.
Features of care
Caring for a Shar Pei (puppy) comes down to regular feeding and walking. Every day he needs to be in the fresh air for at least one hour, twice a day. Walks should be active - running or brisk walking (preferably uphill), playing with a ball. A great option would be a bike ride.
Grooming also includes brushing the coat, about once a week, as well as bathing. It must be said that Shar-Peis cannot tolerate water, but once a month it is necessary. But you shouldn't use soap. After bathing, dry all folds thoroughly to avoid allergies.
Development from 1 to 12 months
| Age | Weight, kg | Height at withers, cm |
| 1 month | 3-3,5 | 21-23 |
| 2 months | 5-8 | 29-30 |
| 3 months | 8-10 | 33-35 |
| 4 months | 11-14 | 35-38 |
| 5 months | 15-17 | 38-39 |
| 6 months | 18-19 | 39-41 |
| 7 months | 19-21 | 41-44 |
| 8 months | 19-22 | 44-47 |
| 9 months | 22-24 | 47-48 |
| 10 months | Approximately 25 | 48-51 |
Data on the height and weight of puppies are averaged and minor discrepancies with them are not a cause for concern .
However, if the puppy’s body weight is significantly higher than average, it is important to make sure that he does not have developmental disabilities or obesity - Shar Pei are prone to overeating and gaining excess weight.
The length of the body should be almost equal to the height of the puppy at the withers.
Basic recommendations on how to feed your Shar Pei
Since this is a fairly rare breed of dog, most owners really don't know what to feed their Shar-Pei. Such dogs are prone to allergies and obesity. Under no circumstances should a person feed a dog food from his table. The pet can be given either special food or natural food.
Feeding a dog of this breed is painstaking work.
For your information! A competent veterinarian will help you choose the appropriate hypoallergenic food for your Shar Pei. He will tell you what natural products you can prepare for your pet.
If your Shar Pei becomes overweight, you need to urgently adjust your diet. Increase fiber content in the diet and reduce calories. You can remove foods containing starch and carbohydrates from your diet and add more green vegetables, fruits and herbs.
Important! The dog must drink enough clean water, so it should always have a bowl of fresh drinking water.
Shar Pei should be fed either natural food or hypoallergenic food
The best ready-made diets for Shar Pei dogs
Ready-made industrial feed does not require cooking; it can be purchased for future use, since there are no problems with storage. In addition, for dogs that have severe food allergies to many foods, drying is the only suitable option. A suitable hypoallergenic menu is selected for such pets.
But the benefits listed apply only to high-quality products consisting of natural ingredients. Such food is well balanced and includes all the necessary beneficial elements, but there are no harmful artificial additives in them.
But which food is a really good product? New owners can consult with an experienced breeder who can tell you which brand of dry food is most suitable for this breed.
In addition, you can see the rating of the most popular menus, which are most often chosen by owners and breeders of purebred Shar-Peis:
- Artemis Maximal Dog is an American super-premium product, which includes natural meat, offal, potatoes, vegetables, and a supplement of prebiotics and vitamins. There are no cereals or grains among the ingredients, which reduces the likelihood of allergies. Suitable for medium-sized dogs, but you should stick to the norm - if you overeat, dogs that exercise little may develop obesity.
- Go Natural Grain Free Endurance is a super-premium brand of industrial diets from Canada, and this formula is a holistic formula consisting of natural ingredients. The basis of the food is hypoallergenic meat and fish, additional components are eggs, cottage cheese, flaxseed oil, vegetables, chicory.
- Orijen - this Canadian product is recognized by many dog breeders as the best. It consists of 50% meat and offal, the rest is vegetables, fruits, fish, medicinal herbs and natural supplements. This formula is designed to meet the needs of healthy, active dogs who often spend long periods of time outdoors. It should also be noted that some formulas contain chicken meat, a strong allergen.
- Canidae is an American holistic food that is often included in lists of the best dog diets. It does not contain grains or soy, but the diets are enriched with proteins and amino acids. The main ingredients are 4 types of meat, it also includes rice, herbs, berries, fruits, additional components - vitamins and fatty acids.
Good food is not a cheap pleasure, but such food will provide your pet with everything he needs and will save him from the risk of negative manifestations of food allergies.
How to properly feed an adult dog
The diet of Shar Peis older than 6 months must be strictly controlled. If symptoms of an allergy or digestive disorder appear, the animal should be taken to the veterinarian.
The bowl should be placed at the height of the dog so that the animal does not bend over or stretch.
If an allergic reaction occurs, the dog should be shown to a veterinarian and the diet should be changed.
Rules for feeding allergy sufferers
Many foods can cause allergies in Shar-Peis. For such pets, you need to carefully choose the right food. But before this, it is necessary to identify the allergen. In most cases, this is done by trial and error - a harmful product is identified gradually.
If a Shar Pei has an allergy, you should leave only boiled rice with olive oil or fish oil in his diet. The dog is kept on this diet until the symptoms of the disease disappear. Then gradually add 1 product at a time and monitor the condition. If the allergy appears again, then this product must be permanently excluded from the diet.
After this, the Shar Pei is transferred to hypoallergenic dry food or natural food. In the second case, no more than one new product per day is added to the diet. It is advisable to give raw frozen meat, because boiled meat often provokes allergic reactions. Dogs are especially often allergic to boiled chicken.
Important! The diet of an allergic Shar Pei should not contain alfalfa, brewer's yeast and pollen.
To avoid gaining excess weight, your dog should exercise a lot.
What should not be in a Shar Pei's diet?
To avoid problems with your pet’s digestion, it is advisable to immediately remove the following products from his menu:
- whole milk;
- butter;
- bones;
- pasta;
- river fish and caviar of any fish;
- legumes;
- corn and semolina;
- lard and fatty meat, especially pork and lamb;
- sausage products, smoked products;
- confectionery, chocolate;
- honey;
- bread and other baked goods;
- potato;
- grape;
- cherry
In addition, spicy, salty, pickled foods, fried and smoked foods are not suitable for feeding dogs, including Shar-Peis.
Natural feeding is a rather troublesome process, so some owners of “folded” four-legged animals choose the second option - feeding with dry diets. It has a number of advantages, but important nuances should not be forgotten.
