Are Shar-Peis Aggressive? Debunking the Stereotypes
Amazing dogs, Shar-Peis are easily identified by their robust build, small ears, tongue that is blue-black, and creases in their skin that are wrinkled.
Their name literally translates to “sand skin,” referring to the color and bristly short hair that they frequently have. Furthermore, there’s much more to the Chinese Shar-Pei breed of dog than meets the eye despite their intriguing appearance. Are Shar-Peis aggressive, though?
Are Shar-Peis aggressive
No, Shar Peis typically do not act aggressively toward members of their family or friends. In reality, if provided the proper upbringing, they may be friendly, loyal, and caring pets to their owners. However, Shar Pei puppies can behave violently against outsiders as well as other dogs because they have defensive, solid concerns.
Before adopting a Chinese Shar Pei, a prospective owner must be aware of the breed’s characteristics. If you are the owner of such an Share Pei, it is your responsibility to recognize its characteristics and to raise it correctly so that negative traits—such as loyalty to its owners, for example—can be replaced by favorable ones.
Ownership of this breed demands socialization at an early age, proper exposure to life outside of their comfort zone, and obedience training.
History of the Shar-Pei
With thousands of years of history, the Shar-Peis are an old breed of dog. They were first domesticated in China to hunt, herd, defend, and serve in combat. These Shar-Pei puppies almost became extinct when the People’s Republic of China was established, but some were brought to Hong Kong and continued to breed. Since their arrival in the US in the 1970s, they have grown to be adored puppies!
Things to consider before adopting Chinese Shar Pei
The following is a list of things to undertake if you decide to adopt one of these animals: Training a Chinese Shar Pei requires a great deal of patience on the part of the owner. These dogs are naturally highly stubborn; therefore, training them requires constant firmness, consistency, and patience.
- To ensure that the dog learns quickly, it must be trained from an early age. Getting along with other animals is beneficial in this regard as well.
- Owners must keep their possessions and everything that might be deemed appealing to these dogs out of reach because they have a propensity to chew everything in sight. Puppies might not be able to do this; thus it should be done before the dog begins chewing those things.
Temperament of Chinese Shar Pei
Chinese Shar-Pei dogs are generally loyal, affectionate, independent, and a little introverted. They are peaceful and enjoy spending time with their loved ones. Despite being medium-sized puppies, they can make excellent apartment pets and are intelligent. A Shar-Pei can have a lot of self-assurance and be an excellent security dog.
Because they were bred to live isolated lives, they are primarily working dogs, which can make them quite possessive and strong-willed. If you’re considering getting a Shar-Pei puppy, they must learn who the pack leader is at a young age through proper training. You won’t be able to fight with them for the top if they get an opportunity to doubt it.
Chinese Shar-Peis have a history of pit fighting and guarding, so when it comes to strangers and other dogs, they can be a little wary and even violent. Shar-Pei puppies and adult dogs must receive a lot of early socialization, regardless of your decision to acquire one.
Different attitude
Shar Peis have a unique attitude; they behave differently around people they know and people they don’t know.
When they are with their owners, they are usually quiet, peaceful, confident, and loving dogs. They usually bark only if they feel the need to.
Similarly, these dogs are inherently protective of everyone in the house, especially children, and are passionately devoted.
Shar Pei dogs are not the ideal breed to have around very young children. They don’t like to play very much, and little kids might quickly become too bothersome for this species.
Shar Peis are, therefore, more appropriate for a home with older kids.
Are Shar Pei Dogs Dangerous?
No, Like many other dog breeds, Shar Pei is frequently falsely regarded as harmful. All dog breeds tend to be harmful in specific situations and circumstances.
When Shar Pei feels irritated, frightened, or forced to defend their owners, they are more prone to behave aggressively. Therefore, the people most likely to exhibit and bring forth this kind of conduct are intruders and strangers.
Shar Peis has a strong character and self-awareness. They are stubborn, strong-willed, and quite demanding. They’ll put you to the test, so you need to be proactive in your training in addition to being conscious of this.
Training these dogs to obey requires consistency. Although owning a dog of this breed is prohibited in some countries, we must remember that this does not always reflect poorly on the dog but rather on the owner and the purposes for which the dog is kept. In any case, some insurance providers discriminate against Shar Peis and their owners, which is unfortunate.
Is a Shar-Pei a fighting dog?
Yes, these dogs require extensive supervision in order to develop into decent breeds because, when left unsupervised, they have a tendency to be very aggressive toward people, especially when food is involved. As a result, one should keep possessions out of their reach when nobody else is around to prevent them from being stolen.
It is usually preferable to keep these creatures in a remote location so that your dogs can’t catch somebody trying to enter your house covertly. It’s not always the case that Chinese shar pei are hostile toward humans, although there have been a few documented instances in which the dogs have even attacked their owners.
Will A Shar Pei Protect Me?
Yes, Shar Peis quickly gains an innate sense of their immediate families’ needs and safety and becomes extremely close to them.
Given their history as pit bulls, these canines are naturally reactive to danger. Although having a dog that will defend and guard you is a positive thing, aggression must never be accepted. It may even put you and your dog in danger and result in repulsive behavior.
For this reason, early socialization and regular exposure to a variety of sights, noises, experiences, and people are crucial; they also need to learn how to maintain their balance in everyday situations.
What makes a Shar Pei aggressive?
Shar Pei dogs, like many others, require socializing from an early age. They also require a consistent owner who is fair yet firm.
Limited socialization
A puppy from a Shar Pei breed that has been exposed to a variety of sights, noises, people, and experiences will be less likely to develop into an aggressive adult.
Insufficient socialization from an early stage can cause a Shar Pei to become aggressive, which might be exacerbated by bright lights, loud noises, or stranger approaches.
Shifts in Environment
Any changes made to their surroundings may also cause children to act out.
Other Animals/Dogs
When Shar Peis see a cat or other small animal, or when they come across another dog of the same sex, they may get hostile.
Health-related issues
If your normally placid Shar Pei is suddenly being erratic and violent, it could be an obvious indication that their health is not well or that they may have even been hurt and are reacting aggressively.
In this case, as a responsible owner, it is imperative that you take your dog to the vet right away to determine the source of the behavior and to receive treatment.
How To Stop Shar Peis From Becoming Aggressive?
Sufficient training, along with socializing, is the key to preventing aggression in Shar Peis. Many of the problems associated with personality disorders, like aggressive behavior and conduct issues, can be avoided with socialization and social structure.
Any dog owner knows that the last thing they want is for their pet to get upset and snap at them or someone they care about. It is far simpler to stop aggression in puppies than to change an adult dog’s aggressive behavior.
You may stop your Shar Pei from being aggressive by doing the following:
Training
It is your responsibility to train your Shar Pei puppy when you bring them home. You can take your time and be nice with this, but you must always be consistent.
Shar Peis require committed training; they are not a breed that should be left to fend for themselves.
Socialization
Shar Peis need exposure to a range of circumstances; they must interact with humans and animals that are not part of their own social group. These dogs should be allowed to smell and approach strangers on their own initiative; forcing them to do otherwise will make them anxious.
If your dog disobeys, never praise them; instead, make sure to chastise them by saying “no.” Avoid being too tough with your dog because doing so can backfire.
Take lead
The Shar Pei is not an exception to the rule that all dogs desire a leader who has complete authority. They don’t have to question you or make an effort to comprehend your convoluted methods while you are in command.
Your dog may live their best life and rest knowing that you are in control of everything around them; they won’t try to force themselves on you or their environment.
Wrapping Up
Are Shar pei aggressive? Like any dog breed, Shar Peis needs to learn appropriate behavior in order to avoid being aggressive in the future.
They are sturdy and reasonably powerful dogs despite their small size. The secret is early socialization, but creating a hierarchy in the home is also important. Your dog will never respect you if you and your family are unable to demonstrate your dominance and your Shar Pei will be less likely to obey and listen to you.
A rebellious and disobedient Shar-Pie is not happy. They will be trying to dominate you and everyone around them, which will make them extremely agitated, hostile, and nervous. This kind of dog hasn’t been shown who to trust; thus, they don’t know.
For that reason, you have to give proper training to them from an early stage.
Relevant Queries
Are Shar Pei Good Dogs for Families?
If trained and socialized from a young age, Shar Peis can make wonderful family pets. They usually have a great sense of loyalty and form close bonds with their family, whom they will do everything in their power to protect.
However since this breed can be independent and stubborn at times, it will take time and effort to train them.
Additionally, they have a tendency to be territorial and can show aggression toward humans and other animals.
How Easy Is It To Train Shar Pei?
For owners who are consistent in their approach and have prior experience teaching dogs, Shar Peis can be reasonably straightforward to train.
This can be attributed to the breed’s intelligence and rapid learning curve. However, because of their tendency for stubbornness, novice dog owners may find it difficult to teach this breed, especially if the wrong or inadequate training methods are employed.
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