If you’re searching for the perfect canine companion to offer hours of cuddles, the cutest wrinkled face, and loyalty to their family, then the Cocker-Pei is the perfect pet for you.

The Cocker-Pei is a crossbreed of the beloved Shar-Pei and Cocker Spaniel. This American designer breed is ideal for singles and families no matter the age. The Cocker-Pei is eager to please and makes it their mission to make their owners and family members happy with their actions. Although slightly stubborn, the Cocker-Pei is an intelligent dog breed that can be easily trained and socialized to other animals in the home.

Breed Overview

In this guide, we’ll discuss the attributes of the Cocker-Pei to help you determine whether you’re ready to spend your time playing and basking in the love of these adorably wrinkled animals.

Cocker-Pei Puppies

Considering the hybrid nature of the Cocker-Pei, you may expect a hefty price tag to be associated with buying one for your own home. This isn’t necessarily the case.

Cocker-Pei’s are not readily available to those who want to wake up to wrinkles every morning. If you truly want your own Cocker-Pei, choosing a reputable breeder is your best option. A good breeder ensures the safety of all animals in their care and avoids issues such as overbreeding.

Overbreeding is dangerous for the parent animal and can often result in unhealthy puppies. When choosing a breeder, it is important to only work with those who offer ideal living conditions and health situations for the animals in their care.

You may find it difficult to find a local Cocker-Pei breeder in your area. These dogs are still considered rare, but with a bit of research, you’ll find your next best friend. In some instances, it may even be possible to locate a Cocker-Pei in a local rescue or animal shelter. If not, does distance really matter? Traveling to a reputable breeder with an excellent track record will allow you and your family the love and loyalty of the beautiful Cocker-Pei.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cocker-Pei

The Cocker-Pei is an easy-going dog. This makes them perfect for almost any owner. This highly intelligent breed is considered quite loving and loyal. A Cocker-Pei makes a perfect companion and is up for all the long cuddles their owner wants to offer. Due to being a medium-sized dog, the Cocker-Pei can easily chill on the sofa at your side or kick back on the bed for a long nap. As long as they are getting the attention they love, they are up for almost any activity.

Cocker-Peis are also quite intelligent, although, slightly stubborn. This intelligence makes them ideal for offering protection to the home and your family. The Shar-Pei was originally bred for fighting while the Cocker Spaniel is a natural hunter. This means the Cocker-Pei will alert you immediately if there is a threat to its home or family. Their loving temperament ensures this breed will be at your side, no matter the situation.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Most dog breeds need to be socialized early to make them great for families. The Cocker-Pei is no exception. With the Shar-Pei’s history of fighting, showing love and understanding early on will help ensure your Cocker-Pei doesn’t have those tendencies. If this is done properly, this dog breed can make your family the perfect pet.

The Cocker-Pei’s energy level is ideal for families with children. When the kids want to go outside and play, the Cocker-Pei is ready to go. This breed can be taught to play fetch or other games to keep them occupied while spending time with the kids. When playtime is finished, however, they are just as content to cuddle with the parents and spend the day unwinding from all the activities.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

The intelligence of the Cocker-Pei makes them great with other pets if socialized early. They can easily learn your expectations if given the chance. This process should be taken slowly, allowing both the Cocker-Pei and the introductory animal to socialize.

Keep in mind, when it comes to the Cocker-Pei, both the Shar-Pei and Cocker Spaniel have been used for hunting. If you see the tendencies of their parent’s origins popping up, keeping your Cocker-Pei away from small animals such as cats, may be necessary. This prey instinct may not be evident in every Cocker-Pei but should be monitored to ensure the safety of smaller animals in the home or neighborhood.

Things to Know When Owning a Cocker-Pei:

Owning a Cocker-Pei is a true commitment. These animals want and need proper socialization, training, and affection. The Shar-Pei is a low-maintenance animal with a stubborn streak and a protective nature. The Cocker Spaniel, however, is a loving hunter who is fiercely loyal and needs to exercise. This combination means learning about the Cocker-Pei before adding one to your family will make life easier for both you and your pet.

Food & Diet Requirements

The Cocker-Pei requires high-quality dog food. As a puppy, using one that is high in protein will help build muscle and aid in the growth of the animal. It’s suggested that a Cocker-Pei eat between two and three cups of quality food twice daily. Leftovers should not be left readily available, especially during the training process where treats are most often used. This will help avoid weight issues in your Cocker-Pei and keep them healthier for longer.

Exercise

As stated above, the Cocker-Pei truly embraces both the Shar-Pei and the Cocker Spaniel. With the Shar-Pei being a less active breed and the Cocker Spaniel needing lots of exercise and engagement, the Cocker-Pei typically falls somewhere in the middle.

Understanding the origins of your Cocker-Pei will make it easier to understand their exercise requirements. If you see your animal is leaning more toward the Shar-Pei side of the activity spectrum, ensure they get walks to avoid issues with weight, then engage them in play as they want. If your Cocker-Pei is more like the Cocker Spaniel, keeping them engaged physically is a must. Hours of outside play or agility training are often called for in these situations and can make your dog both happier and healthier.

Training

Due to the Shar-Pei and its well-known stubborn streak, the Cocker-Pei needs assertive training. This is why this breed is recommended for experienced pet owners. Showing your dominance early in training is essential to get the results you expect. Keep in mind, that dominance has nothing to do with physical abuse of your animal. Their loving, eager-to-please nature, will make reward training quite beneficial if the proper steps are taken throughout the process.

Grooming ✂️

When bringing home a Cocker-Pei puppy, or any puppy for that matter, instilling good grooming habits early on will make your animal more accepting of the process. For good oral hygiene, brush your puppy’s teeth regularly. This process should continue throughout your pet’s life along with regular checkups with the veterinarian.

The Cocker-Pei’s coat is quite easy to care for. With routine brushings twice weekly, shedding is kept to a minimum. The important thing to remember, however, is to check their wrinkles. Dampness in the folds can cause issues with infections. Keeping these areas dry is essential for a healthy pet. The same can be said for their floppy ears. This area should be checked and cleaned often to avoid infections or issues with ear mites.

Health and Conditions

To keep your Cocker-Pei healthy, you should be well-versed in possible issues both the Shar-Pei and Cocker Spaniel may experience. This will help you speak with your veterinarian about what issues you should watch for and when a trip to the office is necessary.

Male vs Female

When it comes to the Cocker-Pei the differences between male and female shouldn’t affect your decision when choosing your puppy. Both sexes reach the same weights and sizes when properly cared for. The easygoing attributes make both sexes loving and protective so choose based upon which puppy pulls at your heartstrings the most.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cocker-Pei

1. The Chinese Shar-Pei was close to extinction.

The Cocker-Pei is a crossbreed of the Shar-Pei and Cocker Spaniel, but did you know these beautiful creatures only exist thanks to one person? Matgo Law is considered the man who saved the Shar-Pei when their land of origin, Southern China, implemented a hefty dog tax which made the breed nearly impossible to find. Matgo Law was a breeder in Hong Kong and wanted this amazing breed of dog to survive. His actions helped make this possible.

In the 1970s the Shar-Pei found their way to America. An American breeder took up the mantle to help repopulate this extremely rare breed. Now, Shar Peis and the crossbred Cocker-Pei can easily be found in the United States. In 1991, the Shar-Pei even found itself being recognized by the AKC.

2. The Cocker Spaniel is one of the world’s most famous dog breeds.

Yes, most everyone has heard of the Cocker Spaniel and shares in the love this dog breed receives for its beauty, hunting capabilities, and loyalty. But did you know this breed is famous?

The Cocker Spaniel has been featured in both advertising campaigns and movies. The Coppertone label features a child having her bathing suit tugged at to reveal her tan line. The dog in this representation is the very famous Cocker Spaniel.

The animated movie, Lady and the Tramp also features a Cocker Spaniel. Lady herself, with all her beauty and elegance, is a Cocker who falls for the ever-so-charming Tramp. Lady’s color and coat are a typical representation of the Cocker Spaniel breed and brought even more attention to the breed when it was released.

3. The Cocker-Peis appearance embraces both the Shar-Pei and Cocker Spaniel.

Many people fall in love with the Cocker-Pei due to their wrinkled faces and great demeanor. It’s easy to overlook the rest of their appearance and how well they embrace both their parent breeds.

In most Cocker-Peis you’ll immediately notice the wrinkled face of the Shar-Pei. However, the body of the Cocker-Pei is smooth like that of the Cocker Spaniel. These dogs are also known for their eyes. Dark or green eyes accompany the Cocker-Pei making them unique. Add in the floppy ears they are famous for, and you can see just how the Cocker-Pei embraces their lineage.

Conclusion

The Cocker-Pei is a pet ideal for both individuals and families. With proper training and early socialization, this dog breed can easily be the best friend of everyone in the household. With their need for attention and love for making you happy, make sure you have adequate love and affection to shower on this amazing breed. Your Cocker-Pei will be a wrinkly-faced companion for years to come.

We have lots more Shar Pei Mixes and Cocker Spaniel Mixes for you to look at!

Featured Image Credit: Pixabay