Once you hear the identify Shar Pei, their wrinkled pores and skin and “hippopotamus” head are doubtless the primary issues that spring to thoughts. Nonetheless, you’ve additionally doubtless heard that these canine have a status for being aggressive.
It’s true that Shar Peis had been bred to be combating canine, and within the mistaken palms, they are often aggressive. Nonetheless, like with any canine breed, it comes right down to their upbringing, socialization, and coaching.
Right here, we take a look at the origins of the Shar Pei, as that helps clarify their probably aggressive tendencies, together with how important socialization is for these canine.
The Shar Pei’s Origins
The Chinese language Shar Pei originated in historical China about 2,000 years in the past (not less than since 200 B.C.). Statues of canine had been found that bear a particular resemblance to the Shar Pei, which have been dated to that point.
Shar Peis had been initially bred as working canine for the peasants to protect and shield livestock, in addition to for searching and herding. Whereas they had been used predominantly on farms as versatile working canine, that is the place they developed their fierce loyalty to their homeowners and wariness with strangers.
Dogfighting
Since Shar Pei pores and skin is wrinkled and thick, they turned favorites in dogfighting rings. These thick folds of pores and skin helped shield the Shar Pei from different canine or predators from reaching their important organs. Shar Pei tenacity, along with their pores and skin, made them favorites for some time. Nonetheless, they’re medium-sized canine, and the Shar Pei fell out of favor after the introduction of bigger Western canine breeds.
Progressively, these canine virtually went extinct, however a breeder from Hong Kong despatched out a plea worldwide to save lots of the Shar Pei. In 1979, Life journal printed an article concerning the Shar Pei, and the American public fell in love with them, and the remainder is historical past.
The Shar Pei’s Temperament
When a canine is developed to protect, shield, hunt, and combat, it’s solely pure for them to have aggressive tendencies. Shar Peis had been bred to be fierce and unbiased canine, and together with their robust pores and skin and being fairly solidly constructed, they proceed to have the instincts to guard their folks and property.
They are often possessive and overly protecting of their household however cautious of anybody they don’t know. It may be stated that being pleasant with strangers doesn’t come naturally to them and have to be educated into the Shar Pei.
Coaching
In the event you practice and socialize a Shar Pei properly, they’re extra more likely to be a well-adjusted canine. That stated, proudly owning a Shar Pei is finest for skilled canine homeowners. This isn’t a breed for somebody who’s a first-time canine proprietor.
Coaching a Shar Pei is a problem as a result of they are often strong-willed and unbiased, however they’re additionally clever, so the duty is feasible. Loads of persistence and constant coaching utilizing optimistic reinforcement is the one manner with the Shar Pei. Utilizing any type of punishment and harsh phrases will solely set off aggression.
Socialization
Socializing a Shar Pei from a younger age is vital! The extra locations, animals, and folks {that a} Shar Pei pet meets and experiences, the extra well-adjusted and accepting they are going to be.
Research have proven how crucial socialization is for puppies to scale back undesirable behaviors. It ought to happen with the breeder from the earliest age and proceed with the proprietor properly into maturity.
Sometimes, Shar Peis which can be aggressive haven’t been socialized or educated properly.
Different Strategies for Lowering Aggressive Habits
There’s no query {that a} Shar Pei that has been educated and socialized properly will likely be far much less more likely to react aggressively to a stranger than a canine that hasn’t obtained the suitable coaching. So, that is the primary and most necessary step.
Train
Offering your Shar Pei with the correct amount of train may go a great distance towards decreasing their cautious and suspicious nature. Canine that aren’t given an outlet for pent-up power resort to damaging habits, and a few will turn into aggressive. Some Shar Peis can do properly with reasonable train, however you’ll need to purpose for about 1 hour of train daily.
Since Shar Peis are clever, they’ll additionally want psychological stimulation, so spending time taking part in with them will assist considerably. Take into account collaborating in actions like monitoring, rally, and agility. Enrolling them in obedience courses is a good way to coach and socialize your canine on the similar time.
Work
Shar Peis are working canine, so give them a job to do. It’s best to base what your canine appears to take pleasure in doing already earlier than giving them a job. Since Shar Peis are versatile and had been bred to do varied jobs, you simply want to determine what your canine will take pleasure in and reply to.
Well being
Keep on prime of your Shar Pei’s well being. A study found that well being issues in a canine can set off concern and aggression. This shouldn’t come as a shock, as anybody unwell will be in a horrible temper!
Shar Peis are prone to a number of well being circumstances, together with:
Many of those circumstances can undoubtedly result in a cranky canine till they’re restored to full well being.
Often Requested Questions
Do Shar Peis Get Alongside With Different Canine?
Not all that properly, normally. If educated and socialized properly, Shar Peis can tolerate different canine, however the identical rule applies to canine because it does to strangers.
In addition they don’t do properly round small pets due to having a excessive prey drive. Issues will likely be higher with the coaching and socialization, however it could be finest to maintain the house a single-dog-only one.
Why Do Shar Peis Have Blue-Black Tongues?
One other canine breed that has a blue-black tongue is the Chow Chow. In Chinese language folklore, it was believed that the black tongues would push back ghosts and evil spirits. It was additionally believed that having a black tongue added to the viciousness of the canine, making them intimidating whereas doing guard obligation.
What Is a Bone-Mouth and Meat-Mouth Shar Pei?
In the event you’ve ever heard this time period and questioned what it means, in a nutshell, the Bone-Mouth Shar Pei is often known as the Chinese language Shar Pei and conventional Shar Pei. They’re thought of the unique Shar Pei earlier than breeders added different breeds, which created the closely wrinkled Shar Pei that you simply’re doubtless acquainted with.
The Meat-Mouth can be known as the American Shar Pei or the Western Shar Pei. These are the canine most individuals know finest. They’ve “meatier” jowls, which is the place they get the identify.
Conclusion
The Shar Pei will be thought of an aggressive breed, and all of it goes again to what they had been initially bred for. However how they’re raised is a major issue. In the event you elevate a Shar Pei with love and respect and plenty of training and socialization, you should have a well-adjusted canine that’s much less more likely to react aggressively to strangers and different canine.
These canine make unbelievable household pets when raised appropriately. They’re calm, quiet, affectionate, and constant, so the Shar Pei additionally has many positive qualities for the right owners.
Featured Picture Credit score: Christel SAGNIEZ, Pixabay
