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9 Shar Pei Mixes (With Pictures)

Written by: Oliver Jones

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Oliver Jones

9 Shar Pei Mixes (With Pictures)

Shar Peis are unique dogs with origins in the Chinese Han Dynasty. Today, these dogs are very popular family pets and show dogs. However, the price tag for a purebred Shar Pei puppy is steep; you can expect to pay at least $1,000, but you will likely pay even more for a dog from a reputable breeder.

If you like the physical and behavioral characteristics of the Shar Pei but don’t want to pay for a purebred, you may want to consider a Shar Pei mix. You are much more likely to find a mix in a shelter; unfortunately, people often put “designer dogs” up for adoption when they don’t turn out the way they hoped they would. In this article, we will discuss nine of the most popular Shar Pei mixes so that you can learn a little bit more about whether a mix is right for you.

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Shar Peis: Typical Behavior and Physical Traits

shar-pei dog_Christel SAGNIEZ_Pixabay
Image Credit: Christel SAGNIEZ, Pixabay

Any Shar Pei mix will likely inherit at least some of its parent traits, so it’s important to understand the type of behavior and physical traits that are characteristic of Shar Peis.

Physically, the Chinese Shar Pei stands between 18 and 20 inches tall and weighs up to 60 pounds. They have a distinctive muzzle that resembles a hippopotamus, wrinkled skin, and a coat of fur that is rough to the touch. Behaviorally, Shar Peis are known for being affectionate and loyal with their families, but aloof with strangers. They can also be independent and occasionally stubborn animals. Overall, Shar Peis can be great pets, but they can also sometimes be challenging animals to train and socialize.


Top 9 Popular Shar Pei Mixes:

Now that you know a little bit more about Shar Peis, let’s discuss some of the most popular Shar Pei mixes.

1. Shar-Poo (Shar Pei x Poodle)

As you might guess, the Shar-Poo is a mixed breed dog with Shar Pei and Poodle parentage. They typically weigh in between 40 to 60 pounds and grow to be up to 18 inches tall. The Shar-Poo can still inherit some stubbornness from its Shar Pei ancestor, but when properly socialized, these dogs tend to do well with kids and other pets. In fact, they have been bred since the 80s or 90s to select for some of the best traits from both parent breeds, so they tend to be gentle animals. Depending on whether your Shar-Poo more heavily favors its Poodle or its Shar Pei parentage, it is possible for these dogs to be considered hypoallergenic, which could make them a good option if you or other members of your family are allergic to dogs.


2. Golden Pei (Golden Retriever x Shar Pei)

Golden-Pei
Image Credit: Debra Anderson, Shutterstock

A cross between the Golden Retriever and the Shar Pei, the Golden Pei is typically a wonderful family pet. These dogs are a little bit larger than the Shar Pei and can weigh up to 65 pounds. For the most part, Golden Peis tend to inherit the Golden Retriever’s good-natured personality, making them great dogs for a variety of homes, including those with children. However, it’s a good idea to monitor these dogs when they are playing with any young children you have; the Shar Pei in your dog will have a low tolerance for horseplay.


3. Shar-Tzu (Shih Tzu x Shar Pei)

sharpei and shih tzu mix
Image Credit: Crystal Alba, Shutterstock

The Shar-Tzu is a cross between the Shar Pei and the Shih Tzu. Both breeds originated in China, though their histories are vastly different. The Shar Pei was a common dog among working-class people, whereas the Shih Tzu has royal connections. The Shih Tzu’s long, double coat of fur also couldn’t be more different from the sandpaper-like coat of the Shar Pei. As a result, the length of the Shar-Tzu’s coat can vary dramatically depending on the dog. Thanks to the Shih Tzu’s smaller size, these dogs only tend to weigh up to 35 pounds and stand as tall as 17 inches. Personality-wise, the Shih Tzu tends to be much more of a lapdog than the Shar Pei. Both parent breeds have a tendency to nip at people, so you should be on the lookout for this behavior and work to correct it early on if you adopt one of these dogs.


4. Cocker-Pei (Cocker Spaniel x Shar Pei)

This Cocker Spaniel and Shar Pei mixed breed is a highly sociable animal that is usually well-suited to families with other pets and children, despite the influence of the Shar Pei’s more stubborn personality. Physically, they often inherit the Shar Pei’s distinctive wrinkles, though their coat length can vary anywhere from the Shar Pei’s short fur to the Cocker Spaniel’s characteristic medium-long coat. Adult Cocker-Peis usually weigh between 40 and 65 pounds and are between 18 and 21 inches tall.


5. Pit Pei (American Pit Bull Terrier x Shar Pei)

Pit Bull Terrier Shar Pei
Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock

The appearance of the Pit Pei, which is a cross between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shar Pei, can vary quite a bit from dog to dog. Their coats can be white, silver, fawn, cream, blue, brown, red, black, or gray. They tend to have thick coats that shed frequently, which means you should plan to brush them weekly. Personality-wise, both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shar Pei can be stubborn dogs that require experienced owners, so you can probably expect a similar temperament from their offspring. While they aren’t usually suitable for families with children, Pit Peis can be affectionate companions as long as they are properly trained and socialized.


6. Chow Pei (Chow Chow x Shar Pei)

young red fawn Chinese Shar Pei dog standing on the lawn
Image Credit: Alexeysun, Shutterstock

The Chow Pei is a cross between the Shar Pei and the Chow Chow, which is another breed originating in China. Physically, the Chow Pei tends to favor the Shar Pei. They are medium-sized dogs that can weigh up to 60 pounds and will often feature the Shar Pei’s wrinkles. However, they often adopt the Chow Chow’s ears and body type. Since neither the Chow Chow nor the Shar Pei are breeds that tend to be particularly good with children, you can expect the same from your Chow Pei. However, as with all dogs, if you socialize them with your children from a young age, your Chow Pei is more likely to become friendly with them.


7. American Ori-Pei (Pug x Shar Pei)

A mix between the Shar Pei and the Pug, the Ori-Pei—also known as a SharPug, Pugpei, or Pug-A-Pei—was originally created in 1970 by a breeder that wanted to achieve a smaller dog that had fewer health problems than the Shar Pei. The Ori-Pei tends to weigh up to 30 pounds and stands up to 15 inches tall. These dogs have a fairly short coat that is low shedding, which means they are lower maintenance than other Shar Pei mixes. Unlike the Shar Pei, the Ori-Pei is generally sociable, easy to train, and eager to please, making this breed a great alternative to a purebred.


8. Rott-Pei (Rottweiler x Shar Pei)

Beautiful black color Rottweiler and Sharpei crossbreed dog standing looking forward
Image Credit: GoodFocused, Shutterstock

The Rott-Pei is a cross between the Shar Pei and the Rottweiler. Weighing in at up to 100 pounds and standing up to 22 inches tall, they are one of the largest crossbreeds on our list. As a large dog, they require more exercise than a small or medium-sized dog would, so you should keep that in mind before you decide to adopt one of these animals. However, they tend to be loyal and gentle dogs that usually do well with children. They will also do anything to protect you and your family, making them great watchdogs. While it may be physically intimidating, the Rott-Pei is sure to melt your heart with its winning personality.


9. Sharp Eagle (Beagle x Shar Pei)

sharp eagle shar pei beagle mix
Image Credit: Annie 888, Shutterstock

Finally, the Sharp Eagle is a cross between the Beagle and the Shar Pei. These are medium-sized dogs that tend to weigh up to 45 pounds. The combination of the Beagle and the Shar Pei usually results in a very intelligent, independent dog that is a skilled hunter. These dogs tend to have fairly high prey drives, so adopting one may not be a great idea if you have small animals such as rabbits or even cats in the house. With any luck, you will get a dog that has inherited the friendly nature of its Beagle parent; while Beagles are usually good with other dogs, Shar Peis are not. When walking these dogs, be sure to keep them on leash lest they decide to chase after something that catches their attention.

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Conclusion

There are many different options if you are looking for a Shar Pei crossbreed. When deciding which dog is right for you, you should consider a few factors, such as your experience as a dog owner and trainer, your ability to provide your dog with opportunities for exercise, and whether or not you have children. If you are open to many different types of dogs, make sure to check your local shelter to see if they have a Shar Pei mix waiting to be adopted.

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Featured Image Credit: Ripio, Shutterstock

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