Shar-Pei Pitbull Mix: Everything You Should Know

Are you looking for a pet that is friendly with you but aggressive to the face of danger? Are you looking for a canine that is both cuddly and courageous at the same time? Here is your one-stop-shop for every question you have in mind.

With the hybrid dogs gaining quick popularity among dog lovers, you have to consider the Shar-Pei Pitbull mix if you want a courageous protector for your family. Believe it or not, this dog is not just an excellent protector, but it is a gentle, loving, and playful family pet.

The Shar-Pei Pitbull Terrier comes from the cross-breeding of the Chinese Shar-Pei and the American Pitbull Terrier.

Here is a complete guide that will assist you in deciding if the Shar-Pei Pitbull mix is the one for you.

 

Shar-Pei Pitbull Mix:

Here is a quick summary table that will help you know more about Pitchow:

Height	17-21 inches
Weight	30 to 60 lbs
Lifespan	10 to 12 years
Colors	Black, fawn, red, sable, blue, gray, cream, brown, brindle, and black and white
Intelligence	Very intelligent and can learn tricks easily
Breed Type	Crossbreed
AKC Breed Popularity	Not recognised by AKC
Temperament	Very gentle and affectionate, and can sometimes be uneasy and wary around strangers.
Daily Food Consumption	2.5 to 3 cups per day of protein-rich dog food
Common Health Issues	Demodectic Mange, Demodicosis, Hip Dysplasia, Hypothyroidism

 

Facts about the Shar-Pei Pitbull Mix:

Before we go ahead and know more about the breed, let us have a look at some fun facts about the Shar-Pei Pitbull Mix:

• The name “Shar-Pei” means “sand skin.” It refers to the coarse, rough feel of their coats.
• The prominent blue-black tongue is the breed’s most unusual feature. The Chinese race, the Chow Chow, is the only other race that has this feature.
• The breed is the only one of its kind that has a mixture of unusual physical traits such as the small and lowered eyes, the Blue-black tongue, tiny ears, and a Curly, high set tail.
• Your pet may have a sturdy, muscular, and a large build, but it’ll have surprisingly cute and beautiful feet.
• This dog loves to be the center of attraction and will act funny and cuddly to make you happy. However, similar to its parent breeds, it has a high prey drive and can turn aggressive if it senses danger around you.
• The Shar-Pei Pitbull hybrid is an energetic canine and needs at least 1 to 2 hours of exercise every day without fail. It will enjoy activities like long walks or jogs, interactive games, playtime in the dog park, or a yard.
• This puppy can cost you anything from $200 to $500, which is quite a reasonable amount given the great companion this little pup is.

 

About the Shar-Pei Pitbull Mix:

As courageous and agile as this breed is, it is known for its people-friendly, cuddly and attention-seeking attitude towards the family.

Coming from the Chinese Shar-pei family, this dog has the skills of guarding, fighting, hunting, and herding in its veins. It also gets the power, aggressiveness, and courage from the American Pitbull Terrier parent. This combination makes it the best pet for your home if you are looking for a canine that will guard your family and will go to any extent to protect you.

Sharpull, Pit Pei, Shar Pit, Sharpull Terrier, they are all the same.

These dogs can be highly attention-seeking as they consider themselves to be lap dogs even when they are fully grown babies! They love being the center of attraction and will follow you around all day long.

This medium to large canine has a lifespan of 10 to 12 years and has a stocky, heavy build. It holds the reputation of having a black or blue tongue, and the only other dog having this quality is the Chinese Pit Chow.

So far, the Sharpull has received recognition from the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Dog Registry of America (DRA), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

 

The appearance of the Shar-Pei Pitbull Mix:

The Shar-Pei Pitbull Terrier can inherit the appearance of either or both the parent breeds and has a mixed presence of the Chinese Shar-Pei and the American Pitbull Terrier.

The American Pitbull parent contributes to the unmatched strength and power, whereas the Shar-Pei parent contributes to the dark eyes, muzzle, and wrinkly skin of the Sharpull.

Your dog can stand up to 17 to 21 inches tall at the shoulders and can weigh about 30 to 60 pounds. This medium to large canine can have a stocky and massive build, but to your surprise, it will have small and compact feet!

This cute and lovable canine has distinguishing dark eyes and wrinkly skin, and it is very popular for its blue or black tongue.

The Sharpull inherits the short to medium-length coat, which is straight and beautiful.

Black, fawn, red, sable, blue, grey, cream, brown, brindle, and black and white are some beautiful colours of the Sharpull.

Your puppy can have lighter colour eyes with a hint of blue, hazel, amber, and brown in them.

The colour of your dog’s nose depends on the colour of the coat and can be of the colour blue, black, brown, and isabella.

It can have small, triangular, and high set ears that are close to the head. It can have a short or a long tail that may or may not curl over his back, depending on the dominant parent genes.

 

History and Origin of the Shar-Pei Pitbull Mix:

The Shar-Pei Pitbull Terrier comes from a lineage of the Chinese Shar-Pei and the American Pitbull Terrier.

When it comes to the history of these canines, very little information is available as to where and when they first originated.

Many designer breeders believe that they originated in the late 1900s and early 2000s in the United States. These dogs developed in the phase when breeding pure breeds for a new hybrid dog was popular.

Although we do not have much on the background of the Sharpull, we can get an idea by looking at the history of the parent breeds.

Originating from southern China, the Chinese Shar-Pei has served the humans by hunting, herding, and guarding for generations.

There is quite scarce documentation of this breed, but the Chinese statues having dogs resembling the Shar-Pei date back to 200BC.

It shares its history competing for popularity with the Chow Chow and the Pug.

These dogs belonged to the peasants and initially served the owners by hunting, herding, and guarding the owners and cattle. As time passed, more and more upper-class families got interested in the Shar-Pei.

Unfortunately, these adorable dogs were used in dog and pit fighting rings for pleasure and profit.

However, when the People’s Republic of China formed, this practice of dog-fighting was banned. This ban resulted in no demand for the breed, leading to its extinction. A few Shar-Pei managed to survive in Taiwan as a man named Matgo Law saved them.

It was much later in 1973 that the Chinese Shar-Pei came to the United States and got acknowledged by the American Kennel Club(AKC) in 1992. It became the 61st most popular breed in their registry and gained quick popularity among designer breeders.

The American Pitbull Terrier is a descendant of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier of England. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was a result of crossing the old English Bulldog with other terriers and emerged in the 1700s. They were utilized by butchers to manage bulls, also by hunters, to engage the bear and other animals. Much later, this blood-shedding sport of bull and bear-baiting was outlawed.

These dogs came to be known as the American Pitbull Terrier when they arrived in the United States in the 1800s and quickly became the American pride. Their build and strength helped their use as family dogs, farm dogs, and even nanny dogs!

Later in 1936, the American Kennel Club recognized the breed and is the 81st most popular breed in their registry.

These dogs are amazingly powerful and are known for their agility and obedience.

Now, coming back to the Shar-Pei Pitbull mix, these dogs inherit their dark eyes, wrinkly skin, and blue or black tongue from the Shar-Pei parent, and possess that agility, power, and strength of the Pitbull.

Over the past two decades, these dogs have gained popularity among dog lovers as they are a great combination of strength and friendliness. They have a people-pleasing attitude and love to cuddle all they long. They can turn pretty aggressive when they sense danger around the owners. All-in-all, the Sharpull is a great family companion.

 

Is Sharpull Dog Good with Children?

Definitely yes! The Sharpull is very loving and caring towards the family and children. The moment it senses danger to the family, it turns aggressive and will protect you till death.

With proper training, these dogs will get along with children and other pets, so you don’t have to worry about it.

Instead, its protective nature and the safeguarding quality will leave you tension-free about your children’s protection.

 

Care of Shar-Pei Pitbull Mix:

Food and Nutrition Requirements:

Not just the Sharpull, but every dog has a high protein requirement. Dogs are high energy beings, and their growing body needs the right amount of nutrients to fuel their activities.

Coming to the Sharpull, this breed has a large build, and its Pitbull genes make it energetic and enthusiastic. But you need to take proper care to give it nutritious meals rather than high-calorie meals.

Further, it is always best to consult a vet before you decide on its diet as every dog has a different requirement.

Your dog may put on weight, so it is essential to make sure that it does not overeat.

• A protein-rich diet for your dog should include cooked chicken or lamb, turkey, whole eggs, and cheese. It is also better to feed your dog some home-made food, which is safer and more nutritious.
• You may fix a schedule of 2.5 to 3 cups of dry dog food every day and split it into two meals. This diet will be sufficient for its energy requirements and will keep them energetic throughout the day.
• You may feed your dog food that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, etc. This diet will keep your dog healthy and active.
• It is crucial to keep their bones healthy. Fish oil and glucosamine supplements will help you in preventing dysplasia.
• On average, a healthy diet for your dog should cost you about $39 to $50 per month.

Exercise Requirements:

The Shar-Pei Pitbull Terrier hybrid comes from a lineage of the Pitbull, which is an active canine. It is natural for the offspring to have similar energy requirements.

You need to let your pup have at least 1 to 2 hours of exercise every day without fail. You can engage your dog in a variety of activities like long walks, jogs, or even games in the dog park or fenced yard. It will also enjoy interactive games like fetch, Frisbee, obedience training, and weight pulling activities.

This dog is better suited to larger homes with safely enclosed yards, but he can adapt to apartment living if it gets sufficient exercise.

Also, you can take your dog hiking with you once in a while. As it is an energetic breed, hiking would also be an ideal exercise for its physical and mental strength. This activity can also be a lovely bonding session for you and your dog.

These activities will ensure that your dog does not get bored and will keep him excited about doing something new every day.

Training Requirements:

As you already know that the Sharpull is a dog that loves to please its owners, it can be relatively effortless and easy to train. Following a fixed schedule to help your dog socialize and learn obedience will help in better behavior of your dog.

• It is essential that when you decide to take your dog outside in its early formative years as this will help it get along with other dogs in the park and will get used to being around people.
• The Sharpull is energetic, strong-willed, and smart. You need to challenge them with games that trigger their mental capabilities and keep them engaged and calm.
• Coming from the Pitbull family, you need to have a firm hold on your dog to prevent it from getting aggressive or dominant.
• Animals are just like us. They love to perform when appreciated. You need to ensure that throughout the training, you keep encouraging your dog when it executes the tasks well. Remember, positive reinforcement is the key to bond with your dog.
• Your dog may tend to shred objects like pillows, carpets, or cushions in your house. Such aggressive nature comes out when the dog is left alone for a long time, or it has not exercised enough. You need to train your dog and give it sufficient exercise if you want to avoid such behavior.

 

Grooming Requirements:

Every dog needs proper grooming and regular hygiene routines to look neat, and the Sharpull is no exception.

Grooming sessions are an excellent way to develop a bond between you and your dog. Here is a routine you may follow to make the best out of it.

Your Sharpull is a dog with low to moderate shedding. Also, its coat is not hypoallergenic. So it will need brushing weekly, except during regular shedding seasons, which will need daily brushing. Such regular brushing will remove loose hair and debris.

Also, during the shedding periods, your dog will need frequent vacuuming. This routine will remove all the dust present in its thick hair.

Your dog will also need special care in wiping and drying the folds in the wrinkles to avoid any sort of fungal growth and infections.

The Sharpull is also prone to ear infections. You need to ensure that these remain clean. For this, you will have to make weekly checks, clean them with a cotton ball, and give it a good wash to maintain good ear health.

Dogs are prone to dental issues such as bad breath and tooth decay. Your puppy will need brushing for about two or three times a week to prevent periodontal diseases.

It is also good to trim its nails once every month. In case, their nails overgrow, do it bi-weekly or once every 3-weeks.

 

Common Health Issues:

An average Sharpull grows up to a height of 18-21 inches and can weigh about 35-60 lbs.

Even though they are playful and energetic dogs, you may begin to notice changes in them when they face any health issue. Make sure to monitor your dog’s behavior and get in touch with a local vet when you see any changes in it.

Here are some major health issues that a Sharpull may be prone to:

• Demodectic Mange
• Demodicosis
• Hip Dysplasia
• Hypothyroidism

Your dog may also be prone to some minor ailments like:

• Patellar Luxation
• Ear Health and Infection
• Third Eye (Cherry Eye)
• Joint Dysplasia

Occasional diagnosis is also an excellent way to prevent and control illness at an early stage. Your dog may need a regular diagnosis for health issues like:

• Cataracts
• Deafness
• Allergies
• Ichthyosis
• Skin Fold Dermatitis
• Lens Luxation
• Brachycephalic Syndrome

Your local vet may even advise you for tests like:

• Joint Fluid Sample
• Brain Auditory Evoked Response (BAER)
• Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
• Ear Tests and Myringotomy Tests
• Yearly Physical Examination Full Chemistry Panel Tests and Blood Count
• Eye Examinations
• Dental and Oral Examinations

It is always better to follow the care routine that your vet advises you. After all, prevention is better than cure.

 

Summary:

The Shar-Pei Pitbull Mix is a dog that is highly sensible, enthusiastic, and loves to be with people. They are protective as well as kid-friendly. They will never stop entertaining you with their silly games. But you need to be mindful not to leave them alone for long.

All they need is proper training and love to be the best companion for you and your family.

We hope you found this guide helpful in deciding if the Sharpull is the one for you.