Shar-Pei are instinctively clean and are very easily housetrained. This makes the sharpei easy to care for. There are however, special considerations when caring for dogs of this breed.

Every breed has it's inherent strengths and weaknesses. The hereditary areas of weakness in the Chinese Shar-Pei are the eyes and skin.

Entropion is an eye problem that causes the puppy's eyelids to roll inward. As a result, the eyelashes rubbing against the cornea cause acute distress. Symptoms of eye problems include pawing at the eyes and excessive tearing. I have found it very useful to use lubricating eye drops in the puppies eyes once a day. Especially when still teething, moulting or when in season. There is a chance that your Shar-Pei's eyes may blink or water slightly, something which can also happen if your Shar-Pei is stressed. This will usually subside when the temporary problem has been solved. The face, and around the back of the ears, can be bathed with a mild solution of salt water and polysporin drops may be used if necessary. Always take care not to transfer infection from one eye to the other; Be sure to use a different piece of cotton wool to bathe each eye.

The Shar-Pei coat is one of those canine coats which tends not to give off a "doggy" odor, even when it is wet. Its natural coarseness also has a tendency to repel dirt, which is an added bonus. A light brush with a pure bristle brush or a grooming mitt is all that is needed to keep the coat healthy, provided that your Shar-Pei is being fed a high quality dog food.

Another area of particualar concern are the ears. Because the ears are so small, it is important that they be checked on a weekly basis, so that any sign of infection can be detected right away. There are some very good ear cleaning solutions available at your vets office. These make ear cleaning easy with the aid of some cotton wool. Be sure not to delve too deeply into the ear canal, for this could cause serious damage. Any scratching at the ear or shaking of the head is a clear signal that something is causing irritation, so check them as soon as possible.

Wherever your Shar-Pei is to spend time, there must be suitable bedding and it is essential that this is kept clean. Always keep in mind that draughts and dampness must be excluded at all costs, and there must be access to shade when the weather is hot. Shar-Pei like to have a bed which is personal to them. Again remember that it should be away from draughts and kept scrupulously clean, so that parasites have nowhere to harbour.

During puppy and adulthood, remember to keep a record so that your Shar-Pei's vaccinations are adequately boosted, including kennel cough. Last, but certainly not least, enjoy your Shar-Pei and always treat him/her with kindness.