Dogs like the Shar-Pei breed have existed in southern China for centuries, perhaps as far back as the Han Dynasty around 200 BC. Archaeologists have found a statue from that period depicting a dog similar to a Shar-Pei. Later evidence includes a 13th century document that refers to a wrinkled dog. The early Shar-Pei were versatile farm and working dogs. They guarded property and livestock, hunted game and tended flocks. The Shar-Pei was a household guardian in other ways as well. Its purple tongue, shared with only one other breed, the Chow Chow, and its wrinkled skin were believed to ward off evil spirits. In addition to being working dogs, Shar-Pei were also popular fighting dogs. Their loose skin and coarse fur made it difficult for the other dog to grab them. Life has always been harsh in China, but for the Shar-Pei it became downright dangerous after the Communist takeover in the early 20th century. In the People’s Republic of China, dogs were a symbol of a decadent past and were almost exterminated in the 1950s. Only a few remained in rural areas, as well as in Hong Kong (still under British rule at the time) and Taiwan, as well as a few that had been exported to the United States in 1966. In 1973, a Hong Kong breeder named Matgo Law appealed to Western dog lovers to help him save the breed that was becoming extinct. The unusual wrinkled dogs attracted intense interest among Americans and quickly became «the dog» to own. Shar-Pei were fully recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1992. After that initial burst of popularity, they have moderated interest, currently ranking 50th, down from 37th a decade ago.
Air Signals Save Dog’s Life
During the recent rainy weather in California, a pet owner’s worst nightmare came true. Her dog, Seamus, was swept away down a canal. She and her husband desperately followed their beloved pet using his air ticket with no time to spare. The aerial signal sent live updates of his exact location every few seconds, allowing rescue teams to find him before it was too late.
Home Remedies for Shar-Pei Skin Problems:
- Frequent Grooming
- Medicated shampoos
- Allergy Management
- Food Supplements
Owners Can Help Ward Prevent Shar-Pei skin problems by keeping your dog thoroughly groomed. If you are not used to having a dog with skin folds, there are a few more steps to grooming a Shar-Pei. For example, after bathing your dog, be sure to dry your dog thoroughly. Same with rainy or humid days – any moisture trapped in the skin folds can soften the skin, so the bristles can irritate the skin. Make sure your dog’s coat is part of your daily grooming routine, just as you would make brushing an Afghan Hound a routine.
Folliculitis and yeast infections are often treated with medicated shampoos. However, medicated shampoos tend to irritate your dog’s skin, so keep an eye on affected areas. Veterinarians often recommend certain types of shampoos that contain soothing agents for regular baths as well. Oatmeal, aloe vera, and more have been shown to improve skin health in Shar Peis. And don’t forget: Once you’ve rinsed off, keep your dog’s skin as dry as possible until the next bath.
If your dog is diagnosed with a skin problem caused by allergies, you want to find out what the trigger is and eliminate it. Some allergies are caused by external factors, such as plants or household cleaning products. Others are caused by certain foods. Alleviating allergy symptoms can be as easy as removing the harmful substance and helping the skin heal itself. Your vet can help you root out the cause and advise you on next steps.
Natural food supplements are a veterinary approved way to support good skin and coat care. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that is not naturally produced by the Shar-Pei’s body. Omega-3 fatty acids help boost your dog’s immune system. They also act as an anti-inflammatory, which can give your dog a boost when it comes to avoiding or treating skin problems. Omega-3 is most commonly found in fish oil, a natural supplement that can easily be added to meals. Most dogs enjoy the taste of fish oil, and aside from keeping their skin and coat healthy, it has a myriad of other benefits.
Owners can help prevent Shar-Pei skin problems by keeping their dog thoroughly groomed. If you are not used to having a dog with skin folds, there are a few more steps to grooming a Shar-Pei. For example, after bathing your dog, be sure to dry your dog thoroughly. Same with rainy or humid days – any moisture trapped in the skin folds can soften the skin, so the bristles can irritate the skin. Make sure your dog’s coat is part of your daily grooming routine, just as you would make brushing an Afghan Hound a routine.
Shar Pei Lab Mix Breed Review: Contents
- History and Original Purpose of the Shar Pei Lab Mix
- Lab Pei Appearance
- Lab Mix mix temperament
- Training and exercising your Shar Pei Lab mix
- Shar Pei Lab mix health and care
- Do Lab Peis make good family pets?
- Rescuing a Shar Pei Lab Mix
- Finding and Raising a Shar Pei Lab Mix Puppy
The Shar Pei Labrador mix is often called a Lab Pei. While any mixed-breed dog can come about by chance, the deliberate pairing of a Shar Pei and a Lab as a «designer» mix goes back only a few decades. We can learn more about the potential of this combination by looking at the parent sexes.
– Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound was bred to spend all day chasing prey over long distances. These sighthounds had to think for themselves to keep track of the prey instead of looking to their owner at the same time. These days, these traits are portrayed as aloof and independent.
They make up for their lack of obedience by being extremely affectionate and loyal. Owners of this venerable breed say that no amount of training will overcome the breed’s hunting instincts for stalking prey. They need the opportunity to run freely in a large, securely fenced area at least a few times a week to fulfill their exercise needs and need to run and chase. It can be a challenge to train them to listen to you instead of watching something to chase.