The 3 Coat Types of Chinese Shar Pei Dogs

Quick Take

• One Shar Pei coat type is disqualified from the show ring, even though it may actually be the healthiest of the three. Bear coat details →
• Two of these coat types look nothing alike, but their grooming routines share one daily requirement most owners skip. Daily fold cleaning routine →
• Shar Pei wrinkles aren't a cosmetic quirk. They were engineered for a brutal purpose that explains why the breed exists at all. Origins of the wrinkles →
• One coat type feels nothing like you'd expect from a dog, and that unusual texture comes with a cold-weather vulnerability that owners often overlook. Horse coat cold-weather care →

The Shar Pei, or Chinese Shar Pei as it is known by the American Kennel Club (AKC), has three coat types: horse, brush, and bear. However, only horse and brush coats are acceptable under breed standards, with a bear coat being considered a major fault in the show ring. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each of the three Shar Pei coat types.

Shar Pei Coat Types

In the following sections, we’ll discuss the characteristics that define horse, brush, and bear coats. You will also learn how to properly groom and care for each of the different Shar Pei coat types.

1. “Horse” Shar Pei

Horse-coat Shar Pei have harsh, bristly, sandpaper-like fur that lies straight and flat against their bodies, especially when rubbed in the wrong direction. This coat is also extremely short, usually under 0.5 inches, and it is not considered shiny or lustrous by breed standards, only healthy.

These Shar Pei dogs shed the least, but they still require weekly brushing to remove dead hair. Clean their wrinkles daily to prevent dermatitis and avoid other skin issues. Dogs with horse coats also get colder in the winter. It’s important to keep them warm by going on shorter outings in cold weather, and put them in a sweater or jacket if they don’t mind wearing clothes.

2. “Brush” Shar Pei

Brush-coat Shar Peis have slightly longer, softer fur, but it is still considered short and rough by breed standards. Their fur is only considered longer and softer compared to horse-coat Shar Pei. According to breed standards, brush coats should not exceed 1 inch in length at the withers

Brush coat Shar Pei should be brushed weekly to remove dead hair. These dogs tend to have wrinklier skin as adults, which can lead to more skin problems. Their loose skin folds can trap dirt and moisture, so clean underneath each roll daily, and ensure your pup’s wrinkles get completely dry.

3. “Bear” Shar Pei

Bear-coat Shar Peis do not meet breed standards. This coat is produced by recessive genes, meaning both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on. These dogs are fluffier in appearance and are said to resemble a teddy bear. They have the longest fur of all the coat types, and are also the softest to the touch.

Their fur hides many of their wrinkles, so bear-coat Shar Peis may also be the healthiest, as they’re less prone to skin infections. However, bear coats require more maintenance. They require frequent brushing to prevent painful matting, and their facial folds also need daily cleaning to prevent dermatitis.

How to Groom a Chinese Shar Pei

Shar Peis shed moderately, with horse coats shedding the least and bear coats the most. These are medium to large dogs, so you’ll likely notice a decent amount of fur around the house. Brushing them weekly and keeping their coats healthy with regular baths and a well-balanced diet will help reduce shedding. Shar Peis do have special grooming requirements, despite their short fur.

Here’s how to groom your Shar Pei:

• Brush them weekly with a rubber curry brush or soft bristle brush to distribute oils along the coat. This will keep the coat healthy and reduce the fur your dog sheds around the house.
• Check and clean the skin folds regularly. You’ll likely want to do this at least once a day or every few days. Make sure the folds stay dry as well to prevent infection.
• Bathe your Shar Pei monthly, making sure to wash away all soap suds and dry their entire body thoroughly — especially between the folds of their skin.
• Trim their nails weekly, preferably with a Dremel tool to avoid cutting into the quick.
• Clean their ears at least once a month or more often if instructed by your veterinarian. Remember never to stick anything into your dog’s ear canal. Instead, flush them with an ear wash made for dogs or flip the ear over and wipe the visible skin with a cotton pad covered in dog ear cleaning solution. You can find it at a pet store or purchase it from your veterinarian.

Why Is a Shar Pei Wrinkly?

Not many breeds have such distinctive wrinkles, and you might wonder why they were bred this way. Shar Pei were originally bred as farm dogs and livestock guardians, but unfortunately, they were later used in dog fighting. The folds of their skin made it possible for them to turn around if an animal or another dog caught their skin, thus increasing their odds of winning the fight.

While dog fighting still happens today, it’s outlawed in the U.S. This leaves us with pet Shar Pei who luckily don’t have to worry about fighting one another. However, they still have rolls in their skin unless this trait is bred out of them. Puppies will lose some wrinkles as they age, but all Shar Pei will keep some wrinkles from puppyhood into adulthood. Some adult dogs also have more wrinkles than others, depending on their genetics.