The Sharpull Terrier is a mixed breed dog that is a combination of a Chinese Shar-Pei and an American Pitbull Terrier. This combination of two strong-willed breeds can create quite the challenging dog for the wrong home, but they can be a fantastic pet for the right home

Breed Overview

These dogs are likely to be active and energetic dogs that are wary of strangers, but since this is not an established breed, it’s hard to know for sure what you’ll get. If you’re interested in a dog that will likely be an active companion that helps keep your home safe, keep reading about the Sharpull Terrier.

Sharpull Terrier Puppies

The Sharpull Terrier isn’t a common dog breed, but you may be able to find a puppy in a shelter. Rescues may also have Sharpull puppies available. It’s not advisable to purchase a Sharpull puppy from a breeder simply because this is not an established breed and most, if not all people breeding them are likely backyard breeders.

When you welcome a Sharpull Terrier into your home, be ready for consistent and firm training sessions. Early socialization and training are essential for Sharpull Terriers to avoid them having aggressive behaviors. They tend to be stubborn, so they are not the best option for first-time dog owners. They can be great family dogs if they’re well-trained.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Sharpull Terrier

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Sharpull Terriers can be good family dogs with proper socialization. Pitbulls tend to be loyal, gentle family dogs with proper training. Shar-Peis, on the other hand, tend to be a more standoffish breed and often have a low tolerance for children. This breed combination is not likely to be a good fit for homes with small children, but it may work well for families with older children.

The top concern with Sharpull Terriers as family dogs is their distrusting and aloof behavior with strangers. While this does make them good for protecting the home and alerting to intruders, they may be uncomfortable with visitors, including visiting children. To make these dogs suitable for families and being around children, proper training, socialization, and boundary setting is necessary.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

It’s hard to determine how well a Sharpull Terrier may do with other pets due to the personalities of both parent breeds. Animal aggression is an accepted part of the breed standard of the American Pitbull Terrier, and Shar-Peis can be hit or miss with other animals. This means that proper socialization and introductions are absolutely necessary to have the best chance of the Sharpull getting along with other pets in the home.

Keep in mind that Sharpulls are half terrier, so they may be prone to chasing small animals, like cats and rodents. Proper supervision from an adult should be provided anytime your dog may be around other pets, especially small animals. Some Sharpulls will be more receptive of other animals than others, although this is not typically going to be the breed to take to the dog park.

Things to Know When Owning a Sharpull Terrier:

Food & Diet Requirements

Both of these breeds are prone to becoming overweight and obese, so feeding a high-quality diet will help keep your dog at a healthy weight. Not only is the food you feed important but providing proper portions to your dog based on its weight and activity level will help keep your dog at a healthy size. If you’re unsure of what type of food your dog should be eating or how to properly portion the food out, talk to your dog’s veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist for guidance.

Exercise

Keeping your Sharpull Terrier active will help to keep your dog at a healthy weight, burn excess energy, and prevent behavioral problems. Daily activity is a must and it’s generally recommended to give your dog at least an hour of activity per day. This can be sports, games, or a simple walk or jog. Each dog is different, though, and exercise needs will vary based on your dog’s age and health status, so make adjustments as needed to keep your dog in peak shape. Many people find Sharpulls to be good dogs for sports like Earth Dog trials, agility, weight pull, and protection work.

Training

This stubborn breed requires an experienced dog owner to train, and a professional trainer may be needed depending on the aloofness of your dog. Balanced training is typically the most effective type of training for this breed since it does require firm boundaries. These dogs tend to be stout and strong, so training to properly walk on a leash and interact in public will help keep you and your dog safe, as well as those around you. Although stubborn and aloof, this breed is often receptive to treats and praise, both of which are major tools to help succeed in training.

Grooming ✂️

Pitbulls and Shar-Peis are both relatively low-maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming. They do have some routine grooming needs, though. These dogs are short-haired and don’t have an undercoat, but they are prone to shedding. Brushing multiple times per week will help reduce shedding and keep the coat and skin healthy. Both breeds, Shar-Peis in particular, are prone to developing skin problems, especially in and around skin folds and wrinkles. Routine baths will help decrease the chance of these issues developing, and medicated shampoos from the vet can help heal these problems if they do develop.

Health and Conditions

Male vs Female

Females of both parent breeds tend to be more protective of their family and less trusting of strangers than males are. This means that a male is more likely to make a better dog for social situations, while a female would be a better fit for protection work. Physically, females may be a little bit smaller than males, usually weighing 5–10 pounds less and standing a couple of inches shorter. Both males and females are likely to be stout, sturdy, powerfully built dogs.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Sharpull Terrier

1. The meaning of “Shar-Pei” may surprise you.

Anyone who has spent time around Chinese Shar-Peis is familiar with their unusual coat. These dogs tend to have sharp, barb-like hairs that are often irritating to people’s skin, even people who aren’t allergic or sensitive to dogs. The name “Shar-Pei” translates to “sand skin,” which refers to their sandpaper-like coat. Although this name is a direct reference to their coat, it could also apply to the breed’s abrasiveness toward strangers and anyone or anything they perceive as a threat.

2. The American Pitbull Terrier isn’t an AKC breed.

You hear about American Pitbull Terriers all the time, and bully-type dogs are a dime a dozen in the United States. However, the American Pitbull Terrier isn’t an AKC-accepted breed. The AKC does accept the American Staffordshire Terrier, which is often confused with the American Pitbull Terrier, although there are differences in the appearance of both breeds. The American Pitbull Terrier is an accepted breed through the UKC and the American Dog Breeders Association.

3. It’s unclear how long this designer breed has been around.

We don’t know when Sharpull Terriers first began being bred. Many people assume this breed began being developed in the late 1990s or early 2000s when designer dogs became a craze of their own, thanks to celebrities. It’s not clear why this particular combination of dog breeds began being crossed, though.

Final Thoughts

The Sharpull Terrier is not a dog for the first-time dog owner due to its stubborn nature and powerful build. An experienced dog owner is the best fit, but these can be good dogs for families with proper socialization. This is an active breed with high exercise needs, and these dogs may begin to exhibit behavioral problems without proper exercise. A balanced approach to training is necessary and it’s important to establish boundaries with your dog while it is still young, so it learns its place in the home. This will help your dog understand it isn’t the leader of the family and reduce the risk of your dog showing aggressive or dominant tendencies.

Featured Image Credit to: joestoltz, pixabay