Chinese Shar-Peis, or simply Shar-Peis, are a dog breed with a long history working various tasks on farms in their homeland of -- you might have guessed it -- China. Physically, Shar-Peis are immediately recognizable by their massive bodily wrinkles, dark mouths and sizable heads.
Behavior Around Family
Shar-Peis are classic family dogs, loving and sweet to their owners. They connect to the people closest to them, and they do so intensely. Not only are they dedicated to their loved ones, they often are highly defensive of them, too. Defense is innate in Shar-Peis. They become vigilant at even the most subtle of sounds. They usually do not bite menaces; rather, they tackle them. Such behavior is preventable with extensive training, early on.
Behavior Around New People
When it comes to new and unfamiliar people, Shar-Peis aren't the most jovial and amiable of dog breeds. They often behave in distant, cool and guarded ways around newbies. Despite that, they are not usually overly hostile with others, either.
Behavior Around Fellow Animals
It is crucial to closely monitor Shar-Peis in the company of other animals. Individuals of the breed occasionally can be truculent with fellow canines, so be careful. In the majority of cases, however, they live harmoniously alongside household pets, even engaging in spirited play. Shar-Peis also sometimes run after other creatures, including livestock. This behavior could be a relic of the breed's past farm duties, namely tracking down pesky vermin.
Behavior Around Children
Just as with interactions with other animals, Shar-Peis require supervision while in the presence of children. If these dogs receive proper socialization and training, however, they usually can work extremely well alongside kids. It also is helpful to introduce them to children when they're young. Shar-Peis are intelligent dogs who usually respond rapidly to learning new things, so training them usually isn't an issue.
Behaviors of Physiology
Shar-Peis are pretty loud canines, and it's not really the kind of loud you can train away. Snoring and grumbling sounds big parts of their repertoires, no matter what hour of the day it is. Their brachycephalic skulls contribute to their snoring and heavy breathing. Shar-Peis also frequently salivate -- heavily -- when they're enthusiastic about something.