Breed Overview:
Shar Pei Pitbull Mix dog is a designer dog breed—a mix of an American Pitbull Terrier and the Chinese Shar Pei. This dog is known for its muscular build, loyal nature, and intelligence. Being a designer breed, this canine can take after either of its parents. As both the parent breeds possess amazing personality traits, the Sharpull also exhibits some unusual and unique traits.
But before we delve more into this dog’s personality traits and temperament, let’s first get to know a little about its history and how it became one of the best designer dogs.
Origin and History:
The Shar Pei Pitbull Mix dogs are believed to have originated in the late 1990s in the U.S. It is also called a Sharpull, a Sharpull Terrier, a Shar Pitt, or a Pit Pei. As with any other designer dog, there is not much known about its history. So, to better understand these dogs, we will see what is available about the parents of this breed.
Parents Overview:
We already know, the Shar Pei Pitbull Mix is a designer dog that was created by crossing an American Pitbull Terrier with an ancient Chinese dog called the Shar Pei. Both the parent breeds have distinct personality traits, a unique lineage history, and physical appearance. How about we take a look at the origin, history, and other characteristics of the parent breeds?
American Pitbull Terrier
Although this breed of dogs has roots in England, an American Pitbull Terrier was first created in the U.S. by crossing Bulldogs with Terriers. Their puppies were called Bull Terriers. But there is an interesting back story connected with the word ‘Pit’ in their names. There used to be a game that was played by leaving these Bull Terriers in a pit full of rats. The dog that killed the highest number of rats in less time would be considered the winner. This is how the word Pit got added to their names.
Later, in the 19th century, these Pit Bull Terriers were brought to the U.S., where they were further bred. These energetic and intimidating dogs were called the American Pitbull Terriers, and they had a reputation of being huge menacing dogs. But with time, as dog fighting became illegal in the U.S., these traits subdued, and these dogs became less fearful.
Chinese Shar Pei
The lineage of Shar Peis can be found in the Chinese Han Dynasty from some 2,000 years ago.
Initially, they were used for hunting, herding, and guarding livestock, but later, they were also used for dogfighting. In the late 1940s, the dog population started to decline in China. However, they were bred in Hong Kong and Taiwan, which played a part in saving this breed from becoming extinct.
The Shar Pei was then imported to the U.S. from Hong Kong in the late 1960s. It was after a breeder named Matgo Law started a campaign by the name “Save the Chinese Shar Pei” that dog enthusiasts started taking measures to keep this dog from becoming extinct. Finally, people’s interest in this breed heightened in the 1970s.
Appearance and Personality of a Shar Pei Pitbull Mix
When it comes to the physical appearance of designer dogs, we know one thing—they can resemble either of their parents. Now, as a Sharpull is also a designer dog, it is also going to either resemble an American Pitbull Terrier or a Shar Pei.
The Sharpulls are huge dogs with muscular and strong bodies. The male Sharpulls are around
18 – 21 inches in total height, whereas the females are about 17 – 20 inches. The males weigh about 35 – 60 pounds, while the females weigh 30 – 50 pounds.
An interesting fact about their name is that the word Shar Pei means “Sand Skin.” This is because their coat feels like sandpaper to touch. The coat is short and stubby and can be in a variety of colors, such as black, brown, grey, blue, white, red, fawn, cream, and brindle.
Their eyes are mostly lighter in color, such as blue, hazel, amber, or brown. Their ears are small and triangular in shape. Their nose color depends upon the color of their coat. Mostly, their nose color is blue, black, or brown. Another distinct feature of these hybrid dogs is that their tongue is blue or black in color.
Personality-wise, Shar Pei Pitbull mixes can be defined as aggressive and strong-willed dogs. These canines are known for their intimidating temperament, which they get from both the parent breeds. Additionally, taking after their parents, they are also very loyal and protective about their owners. Being super-intelligent, they are easy to train but only when they are being socialized and disciplined from a young age. Even when trained, these dogs are quick to become aggressive towards other dogs. Thus, they should never be left alone or unsupervised with other dogs.
Activity Requirements
Sharpulls are active dogs, requiring a vigorous daily exercise of an hour or two to release their pent-up energy. You can take your Sharpull for a walk, let him play in a dog park or the backyard of your house, or can play a game of Fetch with him. These dogs are also very intelligent, so you need to play interactive games with them to stimulate their brains. You can play games like a fly ball or Frisbee with your dog, train him for obedience, and teach him weight-pulling games.
A Sharpull is considered a noise-making dog because he barks a lot. They are not suitable for people living in apartments or condos because the constant loud barking can be annoying for many living close to the dog. However, they are best suited for people living in big houses that have more open space or a backyard, where the dog can play and release his energy. They can also be kept in apartments and small size living areas, but you need to ensure they exercise and play for an hour or two every day.
4 Reasons to Get a Shar Pei Pitbull Mix:
When someone is planning to own a dog, there are several things they would want to know about the canine. For this reason, we have listed down 4 reasons why you should bring home a Shar Pei Pit.
- A Sharpull is known for its loyalty and obedience. As both the parents of this dog are also considered the most loyal dogs, this trait is very dominant in the offspring as well. Thus, if you are looking for a dog that will always remain faithful, you should bring a Sharpull home.
- Because of their intimidating appearance and their aggressive nature, these dogs are known to make good watchdogs. They are alert dogs and also bark loud. These things make them excellent guard dogs.
- Sharpulls are intelligent, and this makes training them a fun activity. It is also entertaining to play puzzles and interactive games with them because of their high brainpower.
- Although they are huge dogs, they need minimal grooming. You wouldn’t need to worry about their brushing and bathing much. For this reason, they are preferred by many with a busy lifestyle.
4 Reasons Not to Get a Shar Pei Pitbull Mix:
Although a Shar Pei Pitbull Mix dog is considered a perfect dog to own by many because of its qualities and temperament, there are certain things that may make them ill-suited for many others. Thus, it is important to be clear about some of the traits or habits this dog has, which may become a problem for its owners.
Below, we have listed down 4 reasons why you should not own a Sharpull.
- These dogs are strong-willed. Although this is considered a good quality to have, it may become a problem when they don’t obey your commands or don’t cooperate with training. Their stubbornness can become problematic in such cases.
- They are aggressive and have the tendency to become violent towards other animals or dogs. If you have other pets in your house or there are other dogs in the close vicinity, there will be some trouble.
- As they are huge dogs, they can easily become obese. If you have a busy lifestyle and don’t have enough time to give your Sharpull the activity it needs, you shouldn’t bring him home.
- As they are designer dogs, there is always a high chance of becoming frequently ill. Although they can stay healthy with proper diet and exercise, they are still prone to some diseases inherited from their parents.
Grooming Requirements
A Shar Pei Pitbull Mix dog is considered a low or a medium-shedding dog. These canines are low-maintenance and thus, don’t need a brushing or bathing session daily. Below, we have shared some grooming tips for your Sharpull, to keep him shiny and clean.
Brushing: The Sharpulls don’t need a brushing session daily because they have a short coat. You would only need to brush his coat once a week, and he would be good. You can invest in a good dog brush to keep your canine pal’s coat free from dead skin and dander. As the skin of a Sharpull is wrinkly, you need to regularly check his fur for any signs of fungal infections. If you find his skin is infected in some areas, you should consult a vet. He may prescribe Anti-Fungal Dog Shampoo that will help make your canine pal’s skin clean and healthy.
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Bathing: A Shar Pei Pit doesn’t need frequent baths. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about bathing them too much. A bathing session once a month is enough for the Sharpull. Too much bathing or use of shampoo can dry out their skin. You can also invest in a gentle hair wash such as an Oatmeal Shampoo, so your canine pal’s skin and hair are shiny and fine.
Nail Trimming: Any dog’s nails should be regularly checked and trimmed with a nail grinder to keep them short and clean. It is important because if their nails are long, they can accidentally harm themselves or their owners. A rule of thumb here is, if you can hear your dog’s nails make clicking or tapping sound when he walks, it is time to clip his nails.
Ear Checking: You need to check your dog’s ears frequently to prevent wax buildup in their ears, resulting in bacterial infection. Thus, it is important to examine and clean their ears every once in a while.
Dental Care and Oral Hygiene: To keep your dog’s gums and teeth healthy, you should take care of their oral hygiene. You can buy a dog’s toothpaste for them to clean their teeth with from time to time. Applying a dog toothpaste to a rubber tooth cleaner will be enough to make your dog’s teeth clean and his breath smell fresh.
Health-Related Issues
Sharpulls are overall healthy and active dogs, yet there are certain diseases they might be prone to. Although designer dogs have a broader gene pool which makes them healthier and hardier than their parents, they may suffer from diseases found in both their parents. This makes them more genetically susceptible to becoming sick, usually in the later years of their life.
Some of the diseases a Shar Pei Pitbull Mix dog may go through are given below.
Atopic Dermatitis: As the skin of a Sharpull is wrinkly and has folds, it is prone to skin infections and diseases. One such skin disease is Atopic Dermatitis—an inflammatory and chronic skin disease that causes itchy and red skin.
Cerebellar Ataxia: The Pitbull parent of these dogs is inclined to develop a brain disorder known as Cerebellar Ataxia—a condition that affects muscle coordination. According to Petmd,
“Cerebellar ataxia is reflected in uncoordinated motor activity of the limbs, head, and neck, taking large steps, stepping oddly, head tremors, body tremors, and swaying of the torso. There is an inadequacy in the performance of motor activity and in strength preservation.”
Thus, the Sharpulls can also be genetically predisposed to develop this health issue.
Hip Dysplasia: All large dogs are vulnerable to developing hip and knee-related issues due to their size and weight. As the Sharpulls are also huge dogs, they can develop hip dysplasia.
Obesity: If these dogs are not being provided with the level of activity they need or given food that is not healthy enough, they may develop obesity. Thus, you need to ensure they eat food that is suitable for their age and size. Additionally, they should be given enough exercise to keep their bodies healthy and fit.
Eye Diseases: A Sharpull is also likely to develop eye disorders such as Third Eye syndrome, Lens Luxation, and Cataracts. You should regularly take your Sharpull to an eye specialist to prevent him from developing any serious eye-related problem.
Diet Requirements of a Shar Pei Pitbull Mix
Like all other dogs, feeding Sharpulls depends upon their age, size, and energy levels. On average, a Sharpull should be fed 2.5 cups of dry kibble, divided into two meals per day. To get a better idea, we would suggest consulting a vet before deciding upon the amount and frequency of feeding your canine pal. As these dogs are prone to become obese, you shouldn’t overfeed them. Also, provide them with high activity and exercise daily to keep them healthy and fit.
Growth Chart of Shar Pei Pitbull Mixes
| Age | Weight | Height |
| 6 Months | Male: 37.5 pounds Female: 30.5 pounds | Male: 15 inches Female: 15 inches |
| 12 Months | Male: 47.5 pounds Female: 40 pounds | Male: 19.5 inches Female:18.5 inches |
| 18 Months | Male: 47.5 pounds Female: 40 pounds | Male: 19.5 inches Female: 18.5 inches |
The lifespan of Shar Pie Pits
A Shar Pei Pitbull mix is a healthy and sturdy dog. They are active and high-energy dogs, considered stronger than their breed parents because of their broader gene pool. These giants live for 12 to 16 years on average. But if kept under great care, they can live beyond 16.
Conclusion
A Shar Pei Pitbull Mix is an energetic, iron-willed, and protective dog popular for its guarding abilities and high intelligence. With its unmatchable loyalty for its owners, it is being loved to bits. If you live in a large house or have nearby dog parks and playgrounds, the energetic Sharpull will be the best choice for you. The only concern owners of this mighty dog may have is that it is aggressive and can’t be trusted around other dogs or pets. But if you don’t have other pets in your house or your Sharpull is the only dog in your close neighborhood, you can keep this dog without any trouble. You will find a protective and faithful friend in a Sharpull.