February 18, 2009

What a Website!

I saw this website .. and laughed.


Ok, so the beginning I was like "Wow! They actually have some facts right!" (A lot of sites have stupid facts or not true things about the Shar Pei)


But I read further down and there were some things I disagreed on.




Here is the website

Everything in bold is from the website.

The page is titled:




Chinese Shar Pei

What's good about 'em

What's bad about 'em

Already, just from the title, I am intrigued.

So I investigate further.

Next is a section for what they are like:


If you want a dog who...

Is medium-sized and sturdily-built

Has an unusual appearance: wrinkled skin, hippopotamus head, and scowling expression

Stands firmly on the ground with a calm, confident, dignified stature

Is naturally clean and easy to housebreak

Doesn't bark much

Needs only moderate exercise


I actually agree with all the above. Although I am sure there are some Shar Pei out there that may be different.


Next was:


If you don't want to deal with...


Aggression in some lines, or when not socialized properly

Aggression toward other animals

Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge

Shedding

Snorting and snoring

High prices

Serious health problems

Legal liabilities (public perception, future breed bans, insurance problems, increased chance of lawsuits)


Now, most I will agree with above.


"Aggression in some lines, or when not socialized properly" - Absolutely! Obviously if you stick your Shar Pei on a chain and that's where it lives of course it won't know how to play/meet other dogs ... same applies for ANY dog.


"Aggression toward other animals" - This I believe, applies to the NOT SOCIALIZING part. My dogs are not aggressive toward other animals. Nor have they ever been.


"Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge" - Ok so I know this can be so in a lot of Shar Pei, BUT that does not mean they are all like that. My Chloe has always listened well and we have never done obedience classes. Ever since she was a pup she always had a knack for listening, and doing everything I ask. Pickles on the other hand is very stubborn and does everything HE wants...LOL




Now we get into the interesting part of the website!


If I were considering a Chinese Sharpei...


(Umm it's Shar Pei ... not Sharpei)

My major concerns would be: (umm what's with the big bold red letters?)


Aggression toward strangers. Many Chinese Shar Peis have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, which can lead to biting.

If you have small children, I do not recommend a Chinese Shar Pei. There are just too many Sharpeis who won't tolerate any nonsense

Ok .. wait a minute. It starts out advocating socialization socialization socialization ... and then just bluntly states that you shouldn't get a Shar Pei if you have a kid. HUMMM... I am on a Shar Pei forum .. and I've seen lots of pictures of Shar Pei with kids. Sure some may not be as tolerate of little kids but I believe it is all about educating your child on what's acceptable and what's not around the dog. I think that goes for ANY dog. I don't think ANY dog likes to have it's tail pulled, or have something thrown at it.

Shar Pei are not child eaters ... they're not monsters! They could become monsters with the WRONG owners ... but the breed itself is not a monster.


Animal aggression. Many Chinese Shar Peis are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs, especially of the same sex. Many have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. This is not a good breed to keep with livestock. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.

HAHAHAHAHAHA





I hate how they say MANY. Sure some may be .. but it is all about OWNERS. Sure if one has never seen a cat, it will be intrigued. Same as if we saw a strange, new type of creature or bug .. someone would chase it and chase it to catch it because they've never seen one before.



If a dog lives/grows up with a cat, or if the owners properly socialize the dog with a cat, or the owners have control and TEACH the dog, then there would be no problems. Not - THE SHAR PEI IS SCARY, DANGEROUS, HATES ANIMALS, EATS CHILDREN, AND ARE AGGRESSIVE.


Can't keep with livestock? Umm that's false. Are horses livestock? Because Chloe LOVES horses!





The strong temperament. Chinese Shar Pei are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Many Chinese Sharpeis are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.

Ok some I know are like this, but again there are many that are exceptions. Chloe - since day one of recieving her she was never like this.




Shedding and harsh coat. Chinese Shar-peis come in three coat varieties. The "horse" coat is very short and prickly, and can irritate the skin of sensitive people. The "brush" coat is thicker and about one inch long. The "bear" coat is very heavy, like that of a Chow. All three coats shed, with the brush and bear coats shedding the most.

Agree. When Chloe sheds there are tumbleweeds everywhere .. I swear she must keep buckets of hair somewhere and spread them around when I'm not looking because HOW can that much hair come off such a short haired dog lol


Shar-Pei sounds. Many Chinese Sharpeis snort, grunt, and snore loudly. The sounds are endearing to some people; nerve-wracking to others.

Agree LOL both mine snore, snort, and make other wacky noises.




High prices. Though this breed is very common, many breeders are still charging $1000 or more

Agree. IF you are buying from a very reputable breeder. That is one that does tests on the bitch, and both parents are healthy, have been showed, have all their necessary tests/x rays etc.

BUT if you are buying from a BYB, puppy mill, or just someone breeding their pet I can bet you the cost of that Shar Pei will be A LOT less. Why? Because They don't do ALL the tests they can, they haven't showed both dogs, no xrays, etc. They haven't spent as much money on the parents and litter as a reputable breeder would.

Even with charging less a BYB/puppy mill/non caring breeder can still make a profit because they have spent very few dollars on the dogs/puppies ... where as the reputable breeders have spent as much as they have to to get everything done.




Serious health problems. It's been said that if you feel like supporting your vet with great chunks of money, get a Chinese Sharpei. They suffer from a host of eye problems, skin diseases, kidney disease, and more.

To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Chinese Shar Pei Health Page.

hahahaha ... I feel I support Chloe's vet with great chunks of money. But I do have Pet Insurance which is FANTASTIC and cuts down the costs A LOT.

Buy from a BYB/puppy mill and you will probably have a lot of problems. That being said, some problems can appear in reputable breeders lines as well. Shar Pei Fever is an example. There is no test for it, no way to determine a dog has it until symptoms appear. By then it may be too late, s/he may already be 7 years old and have had sired/gave birth to many litters.

But reputable breeders try to breed out these problems.

Oh boy I can't wait to read the Chinese Shar Pei Health Page LOL ... should have some interesting things in there!!


Legal liabilities. Chinese Shar Pei may be targeted for "banning" in certain areas, or refusal of homeowner insurance policies. In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a fighting dog should be seriously considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable.

This is a big one. And I could go on and on about BSL. But I think I've just typed a lot for today.

But long story short:

I know a golden retriever that is aggressive. Chloe and Pickles are not. Ban Shar Pei / bully breeds ... but NEVER golden retrievers...because goldens are family dogs! They such nice dogs.

Well this one isn't.

Don't judge breeds...judge individual dogs and their owners.




Frankly, most Chinese Shar Peis are "too much dog" for the average household. Very few people really have the knowledge or skills necessary to manage this breed.

Hahahahaha! Too much dog? Humm. That's an odd statement.

Too much dog might be 10 Newfs or Great Danes in one house maybe?...haha



Not all Chinese Shar-Peis are alike!
There are energetic Shar-peis, and placid Shar-peis.
Hard-headed Shar-peis, and sweet-natured Shar-peis.
Serious Shar-peis, and good-natured goofballs.
Introverted Shar-peis, and Shar-peis who love everyone


Oh well I am glad they have added this! Way down at the bottom.


If you acquire a Chinese Sharpei puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm"

Humm yeh maybe if you get one from a BYB/puppy mill and don't know much about the parents or grand parents.

Chloe's breeder (WEBSITE HERE) knew exactly what the parents were like, and grand parents. They knew what their temperments were like, and they knew for the most part how the puppies would turn out. And she was right. Chloe and her littermates turned out exactly as she expected.




If you're considering an adult Chinese Shar Pei...
There are plenty of adult Chinese Sharpei who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.


Again .. why is this at the bottom?

They just said not to get a Shar Pei if you have children ... most people with children would read that and leave the site in search for another breed of dog ... not read more "negatives" and get to the bottom where you tell them that it might not be that way.







End rant!


Now I'm off to read their Shar Pei Health page! FUN!

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