Designer dogs and specialty mixed breeds are becoming incredibly popular. The movement has been led by popular mixes like the Goldendoodle, which have opened many people to the idea of getting a specialty mixed breed. One unique mixed breed to consider is the Shar Pei Lab mix. This guide will break down everything you need to know about the Shar Pei Lab so you can decide if this type of dog is right for you.

Breed Overview

The Shar Pei Lab mix is a combination of a purebred Chinese Shar-Pei and a purebred Labrador Retriever. The mixture is known for its unique appearance, short coat, protective nature, and unique combination of dogs. This mixed breed is not very popular or common, though that could change in the future. It is one of the newest designer mixed breeds that are starting to make the rounds. For that reason, finding a Shar Pei Lab could be difficult, but the people who own this type of dog tend to love them.

Shar Pei Lab Mix Puppies

There are many things that make it difficult to find a Shar Pei Lab Mix puppy. First, these dogs are relatively new and unknown. Few people are breeding them, especially for the purpose of selling them. Second, Shar Peis are not the most popular dogs around. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Shar Pei is just the 68th most popular dog breed in the United States, making finding purebred Shar Peis difficult to source. You might be able to find specialty breeders that are willing to breed Shar Peis and Labradors together, but it is going to be a tall task.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Shar Pei Lab Mix

Shar Pei Labs are very people-oriented. They can become attached and bonded with their owners. That makes them great guard dogs and watchdogs. However, they can also be stubborn and protective, which can make them hard to handle for some people. Young Shar Pei Labs can be very energetic, which can make them difficult to train and manage, especially if they do not get the proper amount of exercise.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Usually, Shar Pei Labs are very loving, loyal, and protective. They bond very well with their family. However, Shar Pei Labs can be a little touchy around children. Shar Pei Labs can be nippy, and they can be rambunctious. That means they are not recommended for families with small children. Once children get older and learn how to handle large dogs, then Shar Pei Labs do great. Most families will have no problem with a Shar Pei Lab, but people with small children might want to reconsider.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Shar Pei Labs often get along with other dogs, but not always. Shar Pei Labs will do better being brought into a home with dogs that are already established. Bringing a new dog into a home where a Shar Pei Lab is the dominant dog could cause problems. Shar Pei Labs might also not get along with small pets like cats or guinea pigs due to their personality and protective nature. You should be cautious before bringing a Shar Pei Lab into a home with existing pets. Some Shar Pei Labs do great with other pets, but not all of them do.

Things to Know When Owning a Shar Pei Lab Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements

Shar Pei Labs will eat 2 to 3 cups of dry dog food per day. Shar Pei Labs should eat well-formulated dry dog food. It is recommended to provide your Shar Pei Lab mix with active food when they are young and joint food as they age. This will help keep your dog at a healthy weight while also helping preserve your dog’s joint and muscle health. Shar Pei Labs should be eating two meals a day. If your dog is eating 3 cups of food per day, you can feed 1 cup three times a day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Exercise

Shar Pei Lab mixes are energetic dogs that require a solid amount of exercise per week. It is recommended to give your dog at least an hour of activity per day. Shar Pei Labs love walks, and walking is a great way to provide your dog with consistent low-intensity exercise. This type of activity is also good for their joints, which can be a problem for this breed. It is recommended to walk your dog 10 miles per week, or roughly a mile and a half per day. That can be broken up into two sizable walks, one in the morning and one in the evening.

Training

Shar Pei Lab mixes can be possessive, protective, and potentially aggressive. Some Shar Pei Labs will be dominant dogs, which is a trait that owners of pure Labs might not be familiar with. That means they need extensive training to become well-adjusted. Puppy training or obedience classes are recommended for Shar Pei Lab mixes. In addition to training, Shar Pei Labs will need socialization in order for the training to take hold. Socialization must take place throughout your dog’s life, and it is not a good idea to keep your dog cooped up and away from strangers and other dogs. For these reasons, a Shar Pei Lab mix might not be the best dog for inexperienced or first-time dog owners.

Grooming

Shar Pei Labs have short coats and require very little in the way of grooming. While these dogs are not hypoallergenic, they do not shed as much as other dogs. You will only have to groom your dog once per month or less. Many times, a periodic bath will be more than enough to keep your dog looking its best. If you are looking for a low-maintenance dog, a Shar Pei Lab could be a good choice. If your Shar Pei Lab inherits the skin folds of a Shar Pei, you might need to clean those specifically, especially if your dog is active or spends a lot of time outside.

Health and Conditions

Shar Pei Lab mixes are relatively healthy dogs. However, they do have some serious health concerns that need to be addressed. Shar Pei Lab mixes are prone to dysplasia, which can severely hinder your dog’s health, especially as they age. The good news is that prudent breeders can screen for these problems and eliminate them. The bad news is that there are not many Shar Pei Lab breeders, so your options will be severely limited compared to a purebred dog.

The other serious health condition to be aware of is bloat. Bloat can be fatal if left untreated, and developing bloat is considered an emergency. You need to know the signs of bloat so you can intervene immediately. Since Shar Pei Lab mixes are considered large dogs, they have a lower life span than small dogs due in part to health issues such as these.

Male vs Female

The biggest difference between male and female Shar Pei Lab mixes is the size. Males of this mixed breed tend to be noticeably larger than the females. If you are looking for a smaller dog, you will want to consider getting a female rather than a male.

Other than the size, the two sexes have very similar personalities and temperaments. The biggest difference by far is the size disparity.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Shar Pei Lab Mix

1. The Shar Pei Lab Mix Is Often Called a Lab Pei

If you ever come across the term Lab Pei, it refers to a Shar Pei Lab mix. Many mixed breeds gain a new name when they achieve a certain level of popularity or designer status. As the Shar Pei Lab mix gets more popular, it is starting to be referred to as the Lab Pei more and more often. Do not be confused; a Lab Pei is the same thing as a Shar Pei Lab mix.

2. This Breed Is Very New

Shar Pei Labs are a new designer dog breed. People only started breeding these dogs on purpose in the 21st century. Most estimates put the first litters of Shar Pei Labs in 2000. The Shar Pei Lab is only recognized by the Dog Registry of America. In a world with over 200 registered purebreds and countless mixed breeds, the Shar Pei Lab is one of the newest breeds on the block. That makes them relatively unknown and unique, especially compared to well-known mixed breeds like Goldendoodles or Frenchtons.

3. Shar Pei Labs Enjoy the Water

Shar Peis are not known for being prolific swimmers. In fact, some Shar Peis can’t swim at all. Some people think that this means that the Shar Pei Lab will not be able to swim, but that is not the case. The Labrador Retriever was bred to retrieve waterfowl for hunters after they fell into the water. The result is a mixed breed that actually likes swimming more than you would expect. The Shar Pei Lab mix inherits the swimming characteristics from the Lab more than the water adverse Shar Pei.

Final Thoughts

The Shar Pei Lab can be a great family dog. They will be perfect for active individuals looking for a devoted dog that will look over them and even protect them. They can be excellent family dogs too, provided they are in the right situation. These dogs will need extensive training, and they might not do well with small children, but for those willing to brave the Shar Pei Lab mix, there is a lot to love.

Featured Image Credit: Robwhiteimages, Shutterstock

The post Shar Pei Lab Mix: Care, Pictures, Info & More appeared first on Pet Keen.