Every dog is beautiful in its own way and deserves love, a good owner who will take care of it, and a warm and safe home. Unfortunately, there are many dogs in shelters today, and a large number of these dogs are mixed breeds.
Mixed breeds may not be purebreds, but we find them just as magical and special as purebreds.
Moreover, many people believe that mixed-breed dogs are healthier than purebred dog breeds. One of the special and unusual mixed dogs is the Sharpull Terrier.
This dog was created by mating two specific types of dogs; the Chinese Shar Pei and the American Pitbull Terrier. If you are intrigued by this unusual crossbreed, you have come to the right place for information.
Continue reading to learn all about the origins, temperament, appearance, health, and care of the Shar Pei American Pit Bull Terrier mix. Maybe this hybrid dog has all the traits you are looking to find in your future pet.
What Is A Sharpull Terrier?
A Sharpull Terrier is a mixed dog whose parent breeds are the Chinese Shar Pei and the American Pitbull Terrier. This is a relatively new designer dog, and the American Kennel Club does not recognize this dog.
As with any other mixed dog breed, we cannot tell exactly which parent the dog will look like more. Will it have a Pitbull character, or will it be more like the Chinese Shar Pei? We don’t exactly have the right answer, but we can do something to approximately arrive at a good explanation.
To predict what any designer dog will be like, first we need to go deep into both of its parents’ history, temperament, and appearance.
So, let’s see what both Shar Pei and American Pitbull Terriers are like, and whether these two dogs are similar or two completely different dog breeds.
A Word On Parent Breeds
You might have heard that both American Pitbull Terriers and Shar Pei are known to have strong will-temperament and even a tendency to aggressiveness. But, there is so much more about these two dog breeds.
The truth is they both might be territorial and stubborn, but they also have many wonderful character traits, and we want you to get to know them. After all, all of these traits will probably be seen in the Sharpull Terrier puppy you might be interested to get.
Chinese Shar Pei
The Chinese Shar Pei is a versatile dog breed that was bred to be a hunting dog, herding dog, and a guard dog. The name of this dog can be translated as sand skin.
According to the Shar Pei growth chart, this dog’s height goes from 18 to 20 inches, while it weighs 40 to 55 pounds.
One thing that makes this dog like no other is its skin folds; the wrinkled skin around this dog’s neck, head, and shoulders. Also, this dog naturally has a black tongue and a broad muzzle.
These dogs are independent, loyal, and strong, and they make excellent guard dogs. But, they also need early socialization and training not to show aggressiveness towards strangers. The Shar Pei is an extremely devoted dog with its human family, but it is usually aloof with unknown people.
Shar Pei comes in many different coat colors, such as black, blue, brown, cream, chocolate, fawn, etc.
This dog’s lifespan is estimated at 8 to 12 years. Some of the health issues this dog might deal with are skin conditions, cancers, Hypothyroidism, Cutaneous Mucinosis, and Patellar luxation.
In terms of exercise, a Shar Pei is a medium-energy level dog, so, you can take good care of this dog even if you are living in a smaller apartment. In terms of grooming, a Shar Pei is not demanding either, but, one thing to take care of is its wrinkly coat.
You shouldn’t bathe this dog too often – once in about 3 months will be enough, but, what all dog owners should take care of is they dry their Shar Pei’s coat carefully, so as to prevent fungal infection.
American Pitbull Terrier
When people think of a Pitbull, they usually imagine a picture of the American Pitbull Terrier, but, actually, this is only one of the Pitbull dog types.
The controversy around this dog is related to its history; this dog was used as a working dog and a hunting dog, but also was a part of bloody sports.
This is why many people even today consider this Pitbull as an aggressive dog, but the reality is totally different – this dog is affectionate and loving, and makes a wonderful family dog.
This dog’s height goes 17 to 21 inches, while it usually weighs 30 to 60 pounds. The American Pitbull Terrier is widely recognized for its stocky build, huge jaw, and large head.
Its coat is short and can be in gray, black and white, blue, brindle, or red color. This dog’s coat is easy to take care of and it is not necessary to bathe an American Pitbull Terrier too often.
With adequate socialization and training, this dog is eager to please and affectionate, especially with children. However, we cannot say that this is a low-maintenance dog; it needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to be happy and healthy.
So, a Pitbull should never be bored, or it might show destructive behavior.
This dog’s lifespan is estimated at 8 to 15 years, and some of its common health problems are Hip dysplasia, allergies, and heart disease.
What Is A Pitbull And Shar-Pei Mix Called?
A Shar Pei Pitbull mix is often referred to as Pit Pei, Shar Pit, or – as we will call it mostly in the continuation of this text – the Sharpull Terrier.
No matter what we call it, we think this mixed dog has many wonderful traits, as well as both of its parents. Some dogs have a bad reputation, but this does not necessarily have to mean that they are bad dogs.
With adequate dog training and early socialization, every dog can become an obedient and well-behaved dog.
Regarding the origin of this designer dog, we still don’t know many details. It is believed that the first Shar Pei Pitbull mix was bred at the beginning of 21st century, but the main aim of breeders mating these two dog breeds is unknown. International Designer Canine Registry recognizes this mixed dog, but none of the major kennel clubs do.
Now, let’s find out more on Sharpull Terrier’s main characteristics. You just might fall in love with this unusual crossbreed!
What Is The Temperament Of A Sharpull Terrier?
Dog’s temperament traits are probably one of the essential things you will consider before you decide for a particular dog type. Even if you think you know a lot about some dog, you still might be surprised with some of its characteristics.
So, let’s see what you can hope to see in a Shar Pei Pitbull mix.
1. A Good Family Dog
As we have already mentioned, both American Pitbull Terrier, and Chinese Shar Pei can be excellent family dogs, but only when socialized and trained from a young age. This is also the case with their mix.
A Sharpull Terrier might be as gentle as its Pitbull parent with children, and can make a wonderful addition to any family. This is one loyal and affectionate dog, and an extremely devoted dog to its family members.
However, this mix would be a better suit for families with older children, rather with those who have a baby or small children.
2. A Good Watchdog
This crossbreed is alert and loyal, and will bark excessively if it notices a certain danger on its property. These traits make it an excellent watchdog.
Also, this dog looks intimidating, despite it might be the sweetest dog to its family members. But, other people do not need to know this, especially those possibly suspicious people that appear on your porch.
With a Shar Pei Pitbull mix in your home, you will have a loyal protector and an amazing watchdog!
3. Intolerant With Other Pets
If you have more pets inside your home, a Shar Pei Pitbull mix might not be the right dog for you. There is a high chance for this dog to have a strong prey drive, which means it will probably chase after other animals in your house.
A professional dog trainer can solve this bad behavior, but, if you want all of your pets to get along and to have a piece inside your home, you might want to choose another dog, rather than this mix.
If you really like this mix, then you should always supervise the interaction of this dog with your other family pets.
4. Energetic And Intelligent
A Shar Pei American Pitbull Terrier mix is an energetic dog who needs a lot of exercise; every active family will enjoy the company of this mixed dog.
Besides being highly energetic, this dog is also super smart. This dog learns very quickly and it might fascinate you with its ability to learn. If you like to see an energetic dog that knows a huge number of commands, you will enjoy spending time with this designer dog!
5. A Needy Dog
Some future dog owners will choose a dog that will want to be around them all the time, while some would prefer a puppy that can stand to be alone for some time. If you belong to the first group, then a Pitbull Shar Pei is a good choice for you!
You probably know how much attention a puppy needs, but with this mixed dog – this attention-seeking does not go away when they become adult dogs. These dogs develop a strong bond with their owners and always strive to protect them.
This is why these designer dogs do not like to be separated from their owners – they always want to be around you and to share all of your activities.
So, this mix is a needy dog that might be a better choice for people with more flexible schedules.
Sharpull Terrier Appearance
Having a mixed dog means we can probably only guess which parent the dog will look like more. However, there are certain expectations regarding the Shar Pei Pitbull mix.
These dogs usually have a stocky build, but are compact and powerful. This mix belongs to medium to large-size dog breeds.
Its nose can come in different colors, such as black, brown, or blue, and its ears will usually be triangular and upright. This dog’s eyes can be of different colors, such as blue, brown, or amber.
Just like its Shar Pei parent, this mixed dog might have a black or blue tongue. Learn more on these colors in our dog tongue color chart.
How Big Is A Full Grown Sharpull Terrier?
A grown-up Pitbull Shar Pei mix will usually be tall 17 to 21 inches. Males might be slightly bigger than females.
So, this dog will grow up to be a compact, muscled dog of medium or large-size – but is more likely to be a medium-sized dog, just like both of its parents.
How Much Does A Sharpull Terrier Weigh?
An adult Pitbull Shar Pei mixed dog will usually weigh 30 to 60 pounds. Some of these dogs might develop obesity, causing them to weigh far more than 50 pounds.
For this reason, all dog owners should pay special attention to their dog’s feeding habits. Also, these dogs need to have plenty of exercise daily to feel stimulated, and to maintain an optimal body weight.
What Is A Sharpull Terrier Coat Like?
A Shar Pei American Pitbull Terrier mixes have a short coat, without an undercoat.
What Are The Colors Of A Sharpull Terrier?
This dog might come in many different coat colors. Here are some of the most common:
• black
• blue
• brindle
• black and white
• brown
• cream
• fawn
• red
Taking Care Of A Shar Pei Pitbull Mix
All people who plan to welcome a new dog into their home are thrilled just thinking about all those fun moments they are about to spend with their furry friend. Yes, having a dog is a lot of fun, but it also brings a lot of responsibility.
Owning a dog means you will be the person who is responsible for this dog to every day have a decent meal, exercise, and enough socialization with people, and other animals. Having a dog also means taking care of this animal’s health and regular vet visits.
Now, let’s see how demanding it is to take care of a Shar Pei Pitbull mix.
Nutritional Needs
A high-quality dog food is one of the essentials for having a happy and healthy dog. A Shar Pei Pitbull mix is likely to enjoy the food very much – even too much, and this makes these dogs prone to obesity.
These dogs will need around 2 ½ cups of dry kibble daily. The food you feed this dog should be rich in proteins, and the best would be to feed this dog twice a day.
You can give a trait to this dog occasionally, but you should not feed it with additional food outside its regular meals. If you have any doubts regarding this dog’s ideal diet, you should contact a veterinarian for additional advice.
Exercise Requirements
If you would like to take an occasional walk with your furry friend, then the Shar Pei Pitbull mix is not the best dog choice for you.
This dog has high activity levels and needs a lot of exercise – around 1 or 2 hours daily. Not only do they need physical exercise, in forms of walking, running, hiking, or playing with their family members – they also need a lot of mental stimulation.
So, a Shar Pei Pitbull mix is a great choice for active people; for those people who like to share all kinds of activities with their pets.
If you are more into lazy dog breeds, this crossbreed is definitely not a good option for you.
Training
In terms of trainability, a Pitbull Shar Pei mix might be a quite challenging dog. This dog is intelligent, but also strong willed and stubborn, just like both its Pitbull and Shar Pei parent. So, this dog is not a low maintenance dog suitable for first-time dog owners.
Things can get so hard that you might need to contact a professional dog trainer for help! However, if you are an experienced dog owner that knows how to teach dogs obedience and is firm and patient and at the same time, you might enjoy training this stubborn pooch.
Training a Sharpull Terrier will be successful using positive reinforcement – a lot of praise and your Shar Pei Pitbull mix’s favorite treats!
Grooming
Grooming a short-haired Sharpull Terrier should not be too demanding, right?
Well, these dogs don’t have an undercoat, but they do shed, and quite much. Actually, all dogs shed, no matter if their coat is short, so, you should be prepared for regular brushing if you are planning to own a Pitbull Shar Pei mix.
The best would be to brush this dog two to three times a week. With regular brushing, you will not only reduce the amount of dog’s shedding, but you will also be able to see if there are any cuts, wounds, or skin infections in your mixed dog.
Additional steps of this dog’s grooming routine should include trimming its nails, brushing its ears, and cleaning its teeth regularly. All these parts are equally essential for this dog’s health and well-being.
Shar Pei Pitbull Mix Health
Owning a dog is a big responsibility, and this responsibility includes taking care of regular veterinary visits and being prepared for potentially large expenses if your dog needs treatment of any kind.
There are certain health problems that this mixed breed dog can inherit from its parents, but also that it can acquire during its lifetime.
It would be very useful for all potential future owners to be informed about these health problems so that they know what to expect and, if they occur, know how to react.
1. Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a fairly common skin problem in dogs, and it is a genetically predisposed, chronic allergic skin disease.
Lesions most often appear on the dog’s face, ears, neck, groin, and on the ventral part of the tail. The first symptoms of atopic dermatitis usually appear when the dog is under three years old.
Atopic dermatitis can be triggered by various factors, such as food sensitivity, flea infestation, and bacterial or fungal infections.
2. Cataracts
Cataracts is a cloudy condition of the lens of the eye or its coating in dogs. This condition of the lens, i.e., its turbidity, can be light, or it can be extreme, which ultimately results in weaker vision in the dog.
Cataracts develop in many dogs as a result of diabetes. Also, some dogs inherit a tendency to cataracts, and some can develop them at an advanced age.
Cataracts can also occur as a result of a certain inflammation or serious eye injury. Cataracts can be quite progressive, therefore, dog owners should immediately contact a veterinarian as soon as they notice that their eye is cloudy.
In some severe cases, cataracts may require surgical removal of the eye. However, this medical condition can in most cases be treated with surgery, which is a routine procedure and has a high success rate.
3. Ear Infections
Many dogs have problems with ear infections, so it is vital for every dog owner to know how to properly clean their dog’s ears, as this can significantly prevent the occurrence of dog ear problems.
An ear infection in a dog can be recognized by the accumulation of wax, but also by symptoms such as cherry head, redness and swelling of the ear canal, unpleasant odor from the ear, itching, and scabs in the ears. Also, the dog will clearly be in great pain.
Ear infections in dogs are usually caused by fungi or bacteria, but also ear injury and even excessive ear cleaning.
If you notice symptoms of an ear infection in your dog, you need to take it to the vet, who will thoroughly clean the dog’s ears and prescribe an ear cleaner that you will continue to use, as well as painkillers. If it is a more serious ear infection, the veterinarian can also prescribe oral antibiotics.
4. Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a fairly common orthopedic problem in dogs, and it refers to a hereditary deformity of the hip joint.
Dogs with this diagnosis suffer from a loose hip, and the disease occurs when the dog is in the growth phase. Hip dysplasia in many cases causes limited mobility of the dog and seriously impairs the quality of life.
This disease is usually hereditary, but its appearance can also be triggered by other factors, such as excessive weight and excessive growth rate of the dog. A dog with hip dysplasia will show reduced physical activity, lameness, difficulty jumping or climbing stairs, and severe pain.
The veterinarian uses an x-ray to determine if the dog has hip dysplasia, and suggests further treatment, which can be non-surgical or surgical.
5. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is an abnormal functioning of the thyroid gland in dogs – that is, the gland that produces the hormone thyroxine. When the dog’s thyroid gland does not work, or works slowly, the dog’s metabolism, and all its organs, are damaged.
Hypothyroidism in a dog can be noticed by lethargy, extreme decrease in distance, intolerance to cold, and a sudden increase in body weight. This disease is not completely curable, but it can be controlled with the use of topical medications.
6. Obesity
Many dogs are prone to developing obesity. To avoid this, all dog owners primarily need to know how heavy their dog should be. Once you know that, you can follow the breed standard and see if your dog is putting on some extra weight for its age.
Obesity can seriously harm a dog’s health, therefore, all dog owners should keep their pets in optimal condition, and in this way will enable them to live a long and healthy life.
An obese dog will move less and harder, it will constantly need to stop to rest during the walk, and it will often run out of breath. In addition, obese dogs can develop joint and hip problems, as well as cardiovascular diseases.
If you notice that your dog is overweight, you first need to reduce its daily food intake. Also, it would be good to consult a veterinarian about a complete change in the dog’s diet. Furthermore, it is necessary to increase the dog’s physical activity, in any form – walking, playing, or running.
Every dog is crazy about treats and we all like to reward our furry pets with them, but if the dog is obese, treats should be completely avoided, as well as sharing human food with the dog.
7. Overheating
Due to the skin folds a Sharpull Terrier inherits from its Shar Pei parent, it might be prone to overheating.
Overheating in dogs, especially dogs with skin like this, must be taken seriously. Heat exhaustion in dogs can cause heat stroke and even cardiac arrest. Dogs do not have sweat glands, except for a few in their paws, so – sweat glands do not regulate their body temperature.
For this reason, dogs pant, so you will often see your dog panting while driving in the car. But panting is not enough to prevent the dog from overheating. This is especially common in summer when temperatures are extremely high.
Symptoms of overheating in dogs are excessive panting, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive drooling, and loss of consciousness. All dogs can become overheated, but some dogs, such as the Sharpull Terrier, are more prone to this medical condition.
To avoid this condition, the dog must always be well hydrated, it should have its place in the shade, and it should not be exposed to too much strain in hot weather.
If overheating occurs, it is necessary to immediately move the dog to a cooler place, cover it with wet towels, and wet its paws and ears with cold water. Of course, it is necessary to take the dog to the vet as soon as possible.
How Long Do Sharpull Terriers Live?
An estimated lifespan for a Pitbull Shar Pei mix is 10 to 12 years. With proper care, regular vet visits, balanced diet, and physical and mental stimulation, this dog will live a good, quality life.
Even if there will be a health issue this dog will struggle with, regular vet visits are beneficial for early detection of any kind of disease, and mean a higher chance for recovery.
Sharpull Terrier Puppies For Sale
If you find the Shar Pei Pitbull mix as an option for your future family pet, you are certainly wondering where to find one of these mixed dogs.
First thing you should do is to look out for reputable Shar Pei breeders, as well as the American Pitbull Terrier breeders near your location.
You can ask these breeders for advice on where to find this mixed dog, but you should be prepared that many reputable breeders do not approve of crossbreeding.
Rather than looking for this mixed dog for sale, we suggest you consider adopting. Adopting is a noble act where you will be giving a safe, warm home to an abandoned dog, who might be the sweetest and most affectionate dog.
Unfortunately, mixed dogs are the ones you can find in shelters most often, but, this might also be a good thing when you decide to bring a wonderful addition to your family, and, at the same time, to give an opportunity for a new life for one puppy!
Summary
A Sharpull Terrier is a great dog who has inherited many wonderful traits from both of its parents. So, this dog is a wonderful watchdog, a protector of its family, and a highly intelligent and trainable dog.
However, stubbornness and aloofness are also some of the main traits of the Shar Pei American Pitbull Terrier hybrid. This dog needs a lot of exercise, and a firm trainer that has experience with strong-willed dogs, and who knows how to set boundaries.
With adequate training and socialization from a young age, this dog can get to be an obedient dog that guards its family and its home with a lot of love and dedication. Therefore, in a right home, this dog will be the best pet a family can ask for.
If you are about to become a first-time dog owner, we suggest you avoid dogs with this kind of traits. But, if you love a challenge, and have experience with dogs, we believe this hybrid will be a wonderful addition to your family.
In the end, we want to emphasize once more the beauty of adopting a dog from a shelter.
If you like the description of a designer dog whose parent breeds are the American Pitbull Terrier and the Chinese Shar Pei, we advise you wholeheartedly to check the local shelters and, who knows – maybe your designer dog is waiting for you in one of those!
Read Next: English Bulldog Pug Mix: An In-Depth Guide To Bull-Pugs
