Chinese Shar-Pei TIPS AND TRICKS

The healthy Shar-Pei doesn't have special needs for keeping the skin and coat in good condition. Skin problems in any breed can come from allergy, infection, or fungus. Any breed can suffer from allergies. Some of the things that are common as allergy problems are plants and grass, wet grass (from dew and from rain), carpet treatments (cleaners, odor control products, etc.), feeds, pollens, and molds. Dogs are also allergic to fleas and mites. There is one phenomena that effects only the Shar-Pei. It is a contact dermatitis caused by his/her own short stiff hair pricking his/her own skin. People can have this reaction too from the very stiff and short Shar-Pei coat, if they hold onto a squirming puppy or adult.

When a coat or skin condition gets out of control you need to consult your vet. You want to know from the vet if the coat/skin is in a shedding cycle, if there appears to be an allergy involved, if fleas or mites are a problem, or if there is a bacterial, fungus, or yeast infection. You can have any or all of this going on at one time! Your vet can run tests to check for specific problems and can help you with a program that can eliminate or control them. PRODUCTS AND TIPS FROM OWNERS

Feeding your Shar-Pei is easy. A medium protein from a brand of dry feed such as Wal-Mart or Purina will satisfy the needs of most dogs. Four feedings a day for young pups (to 16 weeks), three feedings for 4 to 6 months, and twice a day after six months of age, will work for most, unless your dog has special needs and recommendations from your vet. Food allergies are not uncommon in dogs of all breeds, but there are many speciality feeds on the market that your vet can recommend if a food allergy diagnosis is made. PRODUCTS AND TIPS FROM OWNERS

Most Shar-Pei will get plenty of exercise from following the owner or family around. Personally, I feel that a fenced turnout area is essential and that it doesn't have to be expensive. Many large chain stores like Wal-Mart and hardware stores like Ace Hardware have four panel chain link enclosures that are ready to be set up. Busy mornings can be gotten under control with a turnout area for your dog. For some family social events a fenced area away from the confusion can keep your dog safely out of the way of interference by guests that are not familiar with dogs. Many people ask about the suitability of Shar-Pei for children. The Shar-Pei is really no different then most breeds, in that they need to be raised and socialized with children when they are puppies and they need basic obedience training. If your Shar-Pei needs to be a real "good ole boy" around company and visitors, then this needs to be a part of his/her growing up. If your Shar-Pei needs to be tolerant of other dogs the same principle will apply. PRODUCTS AND TIPS FROM OWNERS.

Many breeders are having more success with breeding Shar-Pei that are less prone to entropian, but this eye problem (rolling in of the eyelids) is not exclusive to Shar-Pei. Other breeds also have this problem as well as extropian (rolling out of the lids). It can first be seen at a few weeks of age when the pups should be opening their eyes. These very young pups will need to have a temporary tack taken in the eyelid by the vet to help them open their eyes. This might be the only time in that pup's life that a temporary tack will be needed. Other pups may need help with their eyes as older puppies when they really start to wrinkle up. Facial structures grow and mature, and these changes can lead to a temporary need for eye tacking. Other catalysts for a temporary eye tack can be allergy or illness. If your vet recommends the eye surgery before the age of six months, ask him/her to consider the temporary eye tacking if there is any chance that the cause of the problem might be outgrown or will resolve itself. PRODUCTS AND TIPS FROM OWNERS.

Breeding your female should be a well thought out decision and you should have a plan for the future of the puppies. I will not preach on this topic as there are a number of good books on the subject, but you should not undertake the task lightly. The actual expense and labor of the enterprise can be much more then you may be prepared for. You will need to be able to set up an appropriate environment for whelping and raising the pups. Cleaning the puppy area, feeding, exercise, and socialization is time consuming. Vet care for the puppies eyes may involve numerous trips to the vet, and then there are dew claws, shots and deworming. You may need to advertise pups for sale and meeting with prospective owners can turn any schedule into chaos. Enough said. Get a couple of books and read them cover to cover,then find a friend who has done it before-you will need a lifeline! PRODUCTS AND TIPS FROM OWNERS.

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SKIN AND COAT PRODUCTS with TIPS FROM OWNERS:

Fungus and Hot spots:

I have been using a product made by DIONNE PRODUCTS called Topical Diacide. It is a clear solution containing benzalkonium chloride. I use it on horses and on my Shar-Pei for ringworm, hotspots, and fungus. I also use it in the ears of my Shar-Pei with excellent results.

Antibacterial Bath and follow up for troubled skin:

A bath that can turn around some cases of irritated skin is DIONNE PRODUCTS Iodine Shampoo. (Please use warm water in buckets outside on a concrete surface so that all the dirty water drains away from the dog. If outside is not possible, then put a rubber mat down in the shower or tub and have your buckets of water there.) What I usually do is get the dog clean with any dog shampoo, rinse and then follow that with a good lather of iodine shampoo and let is stay on the dog for 5 min. Rinse and then dry the dog well. When the dog is dry rub in Topical Diacide on all the trouble areas. Apply the Topical Diacide the next day and on the third day.