Chinese Sharpei

[Crystal]

I've never groomed this breed, EVER! I am aware they are prone to skin problems, and this dog I will be seeing on Friday for his first grooming with me. The client has explained already tht he has prescibed medicated shampoo.

Am I in too deep? Can anyone give me any advice on sharpei's?

[pamperedpups]

Edited.

[Helly]

Pei's can be a lot like Chows in temperament. Some are really sweet and some are really sour. Take your time, and don't take any chances.

As far as grooming goes, there isn't much. Use a soft cloth to wipe any wrinkles clean and dry them really well. Be sure to put cotton in the ears, because these dogs seem to be a support system for an ear infection.

[CountryCanines]

I did the best pei where I used to work before i opened the shop. He had SO many skin problems - was also on medicated shampoo prescribed by a vet. Chronic ear infections, eye problems. BUT he was a good boy. I've seen some tempermental ones though! But you'll be fine, just have to get in & clean under all those wrinkles too!

[dogsdayspa]

I groom one of these dogs and she is very sweet but I have know other the were not you will have to see what this dog is like, as for the skin I use hypo on her, her owner said she has bad skin but I am really careful I don`t use a comb or brush on her I hvac her other then that easy groom. Hope that helps

[keachy18]

I agree w/pampered. But I have never met a friendly sharpei. I dont know if it is just in our area or what, but they all seem very unfriendly around here, at least the ones I have encountered. But I am sure there are really nice ones out there. Just be careful!!

[A1Mobile]

I've groomed a few Sharpei's and all of them hated water and hated their nails being clipped. They can be pretty headstrong and don't always give alot of warning when they aren't happy. I would ask the owner how often the dog has been handled by other people than herself and how often the dog has been professionally groomed.

[Fur Elite]

I just did one of these Monday...I was apprehensive and the dog looked really mean. But she was sweet and let me do anything i wanted.

[pamelapreib]

The one I do is wonderful. I use waterless shampoo on her face, and I've never had to use any special shampoo on the rest of her. That dog sheds like crazy. The hair just keeps on coming. Make sure you stretch out those wrinkles around her mouth and get them good. Ma Ling doesn't have any skin problems (lucky me) and is very good for nails. Her ears are always nasty, and I'm constantly trying to clip the hair out of them to let air in. Good dog, who thinks she's a princess. I just let he keep on thinking she is.

[Kim in SD]

It's about time for them to "molt". If he/she is molting, regular brushing and bathing are a must. Do what Helly said! VERY important to dry those folds and use cotton in ears. Since the ears have small openings, use half a cotton ball per ear. Shar Peis melt in water, (they think), they all HATE water!! The breed in general is docile. But w/o training they will take over. I have never seen one that was bad. Although one I do, will not let you out of the vehicle, until the owner says, "shes ok." Good luck and all in all its an easy groom. BTW, true about the nails. The nails are black and all the ones I do are real touchy.

[HoundLover]

we did one shar pei once...very nice dog...they are VERY heavy though! built like a tank! this one didnt have a very wrinkly body...just some rolly skin...no wrinkles though TG! it didnt mind the bath or anything...it had a very smooth muzzle...it was a unique feeling ic an tell you that!
Hound

[doggiestlist]

as others mentioned they have temperments simular to the chow i have seen and groomed several of these dogs in my yrs of grooming and like other breeds temperment is based on the dog itself I have had great ones and have had nasty ones alike.the one thing I can say is they have the memory of an elaphant if you ticked them off once or hurt them they dont seam to ever forget.I had a real nice one(clients) yrs ago until I plucked his ear hair that was it I was never able to aproach this dog again even yrs later.as for the skin folds after hes bathed and dried be sure to dry each fold thoroughly moister build up in these folds can cause skin infections such as yeast ect,other than that they are very simple being a smooth coat or a full coated of the breed

[rapuzzled]

We only do one that I can think of. She's a sweetie, but kinda neurotic. She's incredibly stubborn. Hates her nails done, well she doesn't really like anything at all done, lol. She also smells. I know that they tend to have skin problems. We use a hypo shampoo, but I know that you said that she has her own shampoo so that's good. Someone (Helly I think) said to wipe out the wrinkles...very good suggestion. Also, the one that we do, we don't force dry. She is almost completely dry after just towel drying her well, and it seems to be better for her skin.

[luckydog]

All the sharpei dogs I've groomed have been great--it's all in how they're raised(I've had great chows ever since leaving school also). They shed like pigs though--HV them very well. Use a mask if the hair bothers you--they don't call them "sandpaper" for nothing. If the skin's irritated, which I assume it probably is use only rubber curry type brushes on it.

[hairdevil]

bathe in Hibicleanse...something like that..cant spell if for poo lol I used to groom one few years ago and thats what I used on her and washed my arms in it too..kept me from breaking out in hives from her coat! air dry only..