Do Chinese Shar-Peis Shed?

Chinese Shar-Peis are an ancient dog that was bred by Chinese farmers to hunt, herd and guard their livestock. They’re a stocky, medium sized breed that is known to be loyal, affectionate and protective.

Do they shed much? Chinese Shar-Peis have a short, rough coat that doesn’t shed very much. However, they do shed more twice per year, during spring and fall, so overall are considered an average shedding breed. The good news is they’re coat is quite easy to maintain, so keeping your home hair free isn’t difficult.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what to expect when it comes to shedding, what they’re like to brush and what makes these wrinkled companions special.

Chinese Shar-Pei Shedding

Chinese Shar-Peis shed minimally most of the time, but twice per year during spring and fall they do shed more hair than they normally do. So, overall, they’re considered average shedders.

It does depend on the type of coat your Shar-Pei has though. They have three different types of coat: horse, bear and brushed.

The horse coat is short, rough and harsh to the touch in one direction more than the other. The brush coat is a bit longer and smoother. And the bear coat includes those with a coat of longer than one inch, but this coat isn’t recognised by the American Kennel Club as part of the breed standard.

In any case, these differences in coat type may help to explain why some Shar-Pei owners say they don’t shed much at all, while others say they shed lots. Either way, the overall consensus is that they are low shedding, but lose more hair during seasonal changes, which makes them an average shedder.

What Are They Like to Groom?

Shar Peis are fairly easy to groom given they have a short, single coat. All you need to do to keep on top of the grooming side of things is brush once per week.

With that being said, there is going to be a little more effort required to brush the longer haired variety (brush coat) and you may need to step up the brushing to daily during times of heavier than usual shedding, if you want to keep the hair at bay.

Also, given that the Shar-Pei has lots of wrinkles, brushing will take a little more effort than non-wrinkly dogs, to make sure you don’t miss any sections while you’re brushing.

The best brush to use for a Chinese Shar-Pei is a rubber curry brush or bristle brush, because these brushes are well suited to short coated breeds.

You could consider using a quality deshedding tool, like the Furminator for example, if you’re noticing lots of loose hairs around the home. As this will save you some time and remove more dead fur. But this isn’t essential.

Aside from brushing, the American Kennel Club recommends bathing once per month and trimming nails once per week. And you’ll need to clean their ears fairly regularly because, like Chow Chows and Bulldogs, the Shar Peis ears are prone to issues:

Are Chinese Shar-Peis Hypoallergenic?

No. Shar Peis aren’t hypoallergenic because they do shed hair and, like most dogs, produce dander (dead skin). They also drool a fair bit, and when that saliva dries it can cause allergies like sneezing.

No dog is ever fully hypoallergenic though. Because all dogs have saliva and dander, so even hairless breeds can cause problems for allergy sufferers.

It’s just that dogs that shed less hair aren’t as bad for allergies as heavy shedders because less dander attaches itself to the loose hair that finds its way throughout your home.

Minimizing How Much Your Shar Pei Sheds

Keeping your home hair free is relatively easy with a Shar Pei, because they’re so easy to brush, and brushing is really your best defence. If all you do is brush your Shar-Pei with a bristle brush regularly, the shedding shouldn’t be much of a problem.

All you really need to do is brush once per week to keep his coat in good shape. But if you’re in a situation where you’re noticing the hair loss is becoming excessive, like during spring and fall, then daily brushing is an option.

Not only does this remove the hair from the source, thus keeping it off your floors and furniture, but it can help keep his coat healthier. And the reason for this is because when you brush, you help distribute the coat oils over his skin, which acts as a defence against dryness.

And dryness of both the skin and hair is a leading cause of shedding, so this is important to keep in mind. You can also reduce dryness, and therefor shedding, through proper diet and making sure you use a quality dog shampoo when bathing.

You can learn more about reducing shedding here.

Should You Adopt a Shar-Pei?

Shar-Peis originate from southern China, where they were once used by local farmers over 2,000 years ago to hunt small game, as well as herd and guard their livestock.

Which would help to explain their nature today.

Shar-Peis are very loyal, devoted and affectionate towards their humans. But at the same time, they can be quite reserved around strangers and other animals, including dogs.

So it’s important to socialize and train them early to avoid issues with other pets around the home, strangers, and small children. For the most part though, they’re big cuddly teddy bears.

Shar Peis are also fairly quiet and only bark when needed, or when playing. Which makes them suitable for apartment living, provided they get enough exercise, and excellent guard dogs that won’t overdo the barking part.

With these things in mind, Shar Peis are typically best suited to those looking for a quiet, moderate shedding, low maintenance breed that makes an excellent family companion.

Related Questions

How bad do Shar Peis shed?

Chinese Shar-Peis shed minimally most of the time, but twice per year during spring and fall they do shed more hair than normal. So, overall, are considered average shedders.

How Do You Stop a Shar Pei from Shedding?

You cannot stop any dog from shedding completely, this is a natural occurrence whereby the old hair falls out, and new hair takes its place. However, you can reduce shedding, and the best way to do this is through regular brushing.

Do They Drool Much?

Shar-Peis drool fairly heavily which means they can make a mess of you, your home and vehicle. Also, dried saliva, once airborne, can cause allergies to flare up more so than dogs that drool less.

Do Shar Peis Make Good Family Dogs?

Chinese Shar-Peis make good family dogs because they are loyal, loving and protective of their family. However, it is a good idea to train and socialize them early on to ensure they get along with other dogs and cats, and play well with small children around the home.