Doggy Mentor

Posts Tagged ‘shar pei training’

No single breed of shar pei grew and became popular in China. In fact, it can be said that the breeding of the wrinkly and blue-tongued toughie dog breed varied according to the Chinese regions. Therefore, in central China where herding and farming were top social concerns, sharpeis were renowned for their herding abilities and ratting skill that resembled those of terriers.

In the upper regions of China, where smaller communities battled winters in far flung outposts, the shar pei was a level-headed animal not given to sounding out. These qualities were essential for an animal that will need to share long hours with its family in a cramped space.

But at this point, those who are expecting the origins of the game fighter shar pei to be discussed will be disappointment. In fact, fighting is one of the qualities of this dog that has been discussed out of proportion. This further implies that there seems to be not much sense in arguing for the preservation of the fighting quality, which history may show to be essentially unsubstantiated at all!

Before we end, it may help to talk a bit about the three classifications of shar pei according to coat: All shar pei are sure to benefit from dog training, but the horsecoat will need it the most through early socialization with children, strangers, and even animals. Without early training, the horse coat type is capable of maturing into an obstinate, strong-willed, and highly territorial dog that is at risk developing more temperament issues.

The brushcoat type is the second most important coat type, and it is capable of maturing into a robust, powerful dog. This alone is overwhelming reason for the dog to have early socialization and shar pei training! The brushcoat is not as interested in the physical interests of the horsecoat, and would rather spend the better portion of the day lazing indoors. In general, the brushcoat exhibits a strong will, stubbornness and territorial instincts to a lesser extent compared to other coat types.

Many centuries ago, some Chinese breeders waxed poetic in setting the standard for the appearance of the Chinese shar pei: “grandmotherly face, water-buffalo neck, horse’s buttocks and dragon’s legs, clamshell ears, butterfly nose, melon-shaped head.” As a shar pei owner or fan, are these also the traits of the ideal shar pei for you?

Check out the following interesting facts about shar pei dogs and see how many of them you can apply to your favorite shar pei.

1. The coat of the sharpei dog is a source of many interesting details already. For example, touching the tough, brush-like hair on the main trunk of the body produces a tingling sensation. The coat style can vary from dog to dog according to three classifications, namely: horse coat, brush coat, and bear coat. This last one does not meet breed standards and therefore is not shown.

With regard to the coat color, the AKC actually recognizes up to fourteen different colors! Non-solid color sharpeis are disqualified from competitions by the club.

2. One behavior issue that is observed among carelessly bred and reared dogs is the dog’s prominent aggression. The aggression becomes evident when the dog is near other dogs, or around small animals.

3. Another unusual detail about the breed is the known association between coat style and its need for shar pei training. While no shar pei can dispense with training, the horse coat type will especially need it, and one of the simplest ways to train it is through early socialization with people and other animals. Without the help of early training, a horse coat can grow up hard-headed, independent-minded, and highly territorial.

{4. The second coat type is the brush coat. This sibling of the horse coat grows into a well-built, powerful dog. Such a state of adulthood is enough reason for this coat type to deserve early socialization and training! The brush coat is not as high-energy, as strong willed or as territorial as its sibling, and will be often seen lazing around.}

5. Despite what most of popular media have said about the shar pei breed, there is really not much weight in supporting the idea of shar peis being bred to be well-known fighting dogs. A Hongkong breeder once even wrote that those who bred fighting shar peis in the seventies will vouch for the inability of most of their wards to master the bull terrier or the staffordshire bull terrier. If at that time there were shar peis worth remembering as champions, these were however the exceptions.

If you are an enthusiast of the shar pei dog breed, you may have noticed there is a link between a shar pei’s coat and its relative need for dog training. Despite having been around for nearly two thousand years, this breed is still capable of developing personality issues, if deprived of early training. And out of the two coat types—horse coat and brush coat—it is the former which is known to need it the most.

Let’s say you are taking into your household an adult horsecoat sharpei from the rescue center. If what impressed you about these dogs are those magnetic wrinkles, you need to bear in mind that adults often lack this cute trait. Furthermore, the odd shar pei may actually bear a very detrimental lack of socialization skills, training, and worst of all, mistreatment in its earlier years. But any new owner capable of mustering love, patience and training classes can turn these imposing dogs into dedicated and affectionate family members.

The brush coat shar pei is just as well known as its sibling. It is capable of growing into a well-built, energetic dog, and even those basic details already warrant early socialization and training to help the dog to be a better part of the family. In any case, the brush coat possesses and shows to a lesser extent the strong will, stubbornness, and territorial instinct that horse coats demonstrate.

But how in general can a potential shar pei owner know which dog breed is for him? If you are after a shar pei that is not too complicated to maintain, loyal, active and game enough to jog your intelligence, and willing to play the house jester once in a while, then the horse coat is for you. On the other hand, consider the brushcoat if you would rather have a dog with the same qualities but is less active, and more content keeping an eye on you. In any case, it is important to know where the nearest source of shar pei training is, or to size up both types and get educated about the breed before choosing.