Shar-Pei Coats

Chinese Shar Pei comes in 3 basic coat lengths - horsecoat, brushcoat and bearcoat. Of course there can be slight variations of these lengths and you may hear the terms - "in betweener," plushcoat, short brushcoat, long brushcoat, etc. All three types of coat length are purebred Chinese Shar Pei and can come in any of the coat colors. They all make excellent companions and are similar, but have their own unique qualities.

Horsecoat Shar Pei

The horsecoat Shar-Pei puppies have an abundance of loose, wrinkled skin and are depicted in the majority of pictures seen on posters and greeting cards. However, when your horsecoat Shar-Pei puppy grows to be an adult Shar-Pei they tends to have fewer wrinkles on their body and have a more lean and athletic build compared to brushcoat Shar Pei. They also tend to have smaller heads and less padding on their muzzle. This dramatic change in appearance from puppy to adult is suspected to be the reason why more horsecoat Shar Pei end up in rescue than brushcoat Shar Pei. Make sure you know the differences and what to expect. But if your only reason for wanting a Shar-Pei puppy is because they are such cute little masses of wrinkle, then you are missing the point and should reconsider your decision. What makes a Shar-Pei dog such a wonderful member of the family and companion is their personality - not their abundance or lack of wrinkle.

The horsecoat Shar Pei is also more intense and more active than the brushcoat Shar Pei pups that come from the same litter. Horsecoat Shar Pei are wonderful family pets, but may require more attention and training during the first couple of years compared to their brushcoat siblings. Early socialization is very important for both, to keep them from becoming territorial. And it may be 2 years before they become the wonderful couch potatoes that their brushcoat siblings are in 1 year. A horsecoat Shar Pei's toenails tend to grow faster and may require more maintenance. However, a horsecoat Shar Pei does not develop the dense undercoat in the winter that the brushcoat develops. So although cold weather considerations are more of a requirement, the horsecoat Shar Pei will not shed as much in the spring as the brushcoat.

Some people may have skin reactions or rashes due to the harsh coat, so it may not be advisable to bring home a horsecoat Shar Pei for families with very young children. Young children tend to have more sensitive skin. A horsecoat Shar Pei can also have more of an oily coat and may require bathing more frequently than a brushcoat. But by "more frequently," I am referring to possibly once a month vs. once every three months.

Horsecoat Shar Pei need a little extra patience and training the first couple of years, but it is well worth the effort because they always give more to the family than they ask in return.

Brushcoat Shar Pei

Brushcoat Shar Pei puppies have an abundance of wrinkle and are irresistible too. They usually retain more wrinkle on the face and neck compared to their horsecoat siblings. But a brushcoat Shar Pei will grow into the majority of their wrinkle, especially on the body and legs. Brushcoat Shar Pei tend to have a heavier, stocky build, with larger heads and fuller muzzles. They also tend to be less active and more laid back compared to their horsecoat siblings. But it is equally important to socialize and train them as puppies. They are strong willed and can become territorial if not properly socialized. And it is always more difficult to handle a 50 pound untrained dog compared to a 20 pound puppy.

Brushcoat Shar Pei dogs develop a thick and dense undercoat for winter protection that sheds out in the spring. This can be a heavy shed with a lot of hair. Use of a shedding blade in the spring will reduce the amount of hair in your home and make the whole shedding process much quicker. Most brushcoat Shar Pei tend to be content to laze about the house by the time they are a year old.

Once again - you are making a life time commitment to a dog. Cute little Shar Pei puppies grow into adults that are wonderful family members and companions. Educate yourself and know what to expect.

Bearcoat Shar Pei

Bearcoat Shar Pei only appear when both parents carry the recessive gene for this coat type. The coat is longer than a brushcoat and resembles the coat of a Chow Chow, but not as thick and dense. The gene for this coat type came from the original Shar Pei dogs brought over from China in 1973. Down Homes Anne Revival had a bearcoat sibling and more than likely carried the recessive bearcoat gene. Down Homes Anne Revival mated with Down Homes Sweet Pea produced the 1st Shar Pei registered in the United States - Down Homes China Souel. So this recessive bearcoat gene became sprinkled throughout many Shar Pei lines from the beginning. In fact, the CSPCA recognized the bearcoat Shar Pei as an acceptable coat length for a while and one of the earliest CSPCA champions was a bearcoat Shar Pei named Walnut Lane's Rick of Poo. In later years the bearcoat was deemed a disqualifying fault which accounts for their lack of number today and their so called "undesirable" quality.

A bearcoat Shar Pei is very similar to the brushcoat Shar Pei except for the coat length. They tend to be heavier built and stocky with larger heads and thick padded muzzles. They also tend to retain wrinkle, but you can not see the wrinkle because of the coat length. They are calm and gentle adult Shar Pei and prefer to laze about the house. But it is also very important to socialize and train them as puppies. They are soft, fluffy little cotton balls as puppies and their coats retain the softness as an adult, but without the thick puppy undercoat. Bearcoat Shar Pei must be combed - not brushed. You will need to purchase a grooming comb. It is essential to comb them in the spring and fall when they shed. Because of the longer coat, their hair can mat easily during this time. If your bearcoat Shar Pei develops hair mats, you can use a clipper to remove the mats or VERY carefully cut them out with a dull pointed scissors. But it is easier to keep them combed, paying close attention to the areas on the neck, around the ears, on the back of the legs and the tail. These areas mat up easily and quickly.