The Shar Pei breed has wrinkled coats and equally adorable wrinkly faces. These distinctive features of the breed make them recognizable, and many hybrid breeds involving the Shar Pei and Mastiff exist. Take, for example, the Shar Pei Mastiff mix. Mastiffs are considerably larger than the Shar Pei, which makes for an interesting combination. In this post, we’ll examine the characteristics and temperaments of these hybrid dogs so you can determine if a Shar Pei Mastiff mix is right for you and your family.

Breed Overview

The Shar Pei (also known as the Chinese Shar Pei) and the Mastiff combine the independent, loyal, and calm nature of the Shar Pei with the good-natured, dignified, and courageous temperament of the Mastiff.

When combining two breeds, predicting the temperaments is impossible unless the two dogs have similar characteristics and traits. Quite a few Mastiff breeds exist, such as the Bullmastiff, English Mastiff, Tibetan Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, etc. However, this article will focus on the Mastiff traits mixed with the Shar Pei. While there is little information on this hybrid mix, we’ll do our best to inform you on how to take care of one, along with other valuable information.

Shar Pei Mastiff Puppies

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Odds are, a Shar Pei Mastiff puppy will have the adorable wrinkly coat of the Shar Pei, either on the entire body or elsewhere. However, you’ll likely have a difficult time finding this hybrid mix, and if you happen to find one, you’ll pay top dollar due to its rarity.

It’s vital to find reputable breeders when searching for hybrid dogs. One thing to ensure you obtain is the parent breeds’ information. Ensure both parents are indeed purebred with papers proving their status, and always ask for a health guarantee. Responsible breeders will try and “breed out” possible inherited defects, making the health guarantee an important piece of information.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Shar Pei Mastiff Mix

This hybrid mix is similar in terms of temperament and traits. These dogs will likely be independent and aloof with strangers. They make excellent guard dogs and are loyal and loving to their human families, as their looks alone are intimidating and will likely deter unwanted visitors. They are intelligent but possess an independent and stubborn streak. Depending on the dominant gene they inherit, these dogs can either be affectionate like the Mastiff or aggressive like the Shar Pei.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

These dogs are good with families, but they need a dominant, experienced owner to be well-behaved. Both parent breeds are protective, so you can bet your Shar Pei Mastiff mix will carry this temperament. They are tolerant of children, but due to their size and stubbornness, they do better with older children who know how to handle the dog respectfully.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Early socialization is key in owning a Shar Pei Mastiff mix. Mastiffs are large and gentle dogs who get along with other pets, including dogs and cats. On the other hand, the Shar Pei can be aggressive toward other pets. It’s impossible to know what trait the dog will inherit, so it’s best to practice early socialization with other pets in the home.

Things to Know When Owning a Shar Pei Mastiff Mix

Food & Diet Requirements

Feeding high-quality dog food is vital in keeping your dog healthy. These dogs tend to be muscular, so providing a protein-rich diet is essential. Ensure the protein is high quality and is listed as the first ingredient on the nutrition label. The ideal protein to look for is chicken, lamb, beef, or fish.

Ensure the food is age-appropriate since a dog’s nutritional requirements will change as they age. For example, only feed puppy food for your puppy and senior food for your senior. It’s wise to consult your veterinarian for suggestions on appropriate dog food to feed to steer you in the right direction. Also, keep treats to 10% of your dog’s daily diet to prevent obesity.

Exercise

It’s hard to say what type of activity level your Shar Pei Mastiff mix will have. For example, the Mastiff requires minimal exercise and does well with 1- to 2-mile walks daily, as well as free play in the yard. The Shar Pei has moderate exercise requirements and will do well with active owners. The Shar Pei is also well-skilled in agility, tracking, and rally events, so the exercise requirements will vary depending on which dominant gene your dog inherits. Obesity can be an issue with the Shar Pei, so be sure to keep up with their exercise needs.

Training

We’ve mentioned that the Shar Pei needs an experienced owner. This is due to their stubborn streak and the desire to “be the boss.” It takes persistence to train a Shar Pei; however, they are smart and willing. The Mastiff has an eagerness to please and can learn quickly. However, they tend to get bored with repetition and may plop down when they grow tired of the training session. A helpful tip is to keep training sessions short in case your dog inherits more of the Mastiff side.

Grooming

The Shar Pei has a dense and harsh coat with no undercoat, while the Mastiff has a short and dense coat with an undercoat. The Shar Pei has three coat types: horse, brush, and bear coat. The horse coat has a bristle texture, while the brush coat is longer and softer. The bear coat is also longer and softer; however, this coat type is not recognized by the AKC and is rare.

The Shar Pei requires minimal grooming and does not shed excessively. In contrast, the Mastiff requires regular brushing and is a known shedder, especially during the heavy shedding months in the spring and fall. In short, the coat will depend on the dominant gene the dog inherits.

Check the ears weekly and clean them as needed with a dog-safe ear solution. The nails of these hybrid dogs may grow quickly, so be sure to trim them as needed. If the dog has more of the Mastiff side, watch out for drool.

Health and Conditions

Any dog breed can be susceptible to congenital diseases and ailments, so let’s look at possible health issues and conditions that can be possible. Take note that not all dogs will develop the issues listed below.

Male vs. Female

It’s difficult to determine the differences between males and females with this hybrid mix due to little information regarding these dogs overall. Typically, male dogs are more outgoing than females and are bigger in size.

The behaviors in intact males and females will be different than in fixed dogs. Intact dogs have higher hormone levels, which can alter behaviors, such as aggression and territory marking. Neutered males tend to be more affectionate than females, and spayed females tend to be more calm and family-friendly.

Females may be easier to train, and males may be more protective of their human families.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Shar Pei Mastiff Mix

1. They Are Hard to Find

These dogs are difficult to find. With the many hybrids involving the Shar Pei and Mastiffs, this particular mix is not in high demand, and if you find one, it’ll come with a hefty price tag.

2. Shar-Pei Have Blue-Black Tongues

If your hybrid mix carries more of the Shar Pei side, odds are your dog will have a blue-black tongue. The dark and unusually colored tongue makes the breed look more vicious. Some even believe the dark tongue will ward off evil spirits.

3. A Mastiff Was Once Named the World’s Biggest Dog

Mastiffs are massive dogs and can weigh up to 230 pounds. An 8-year-old Mastiff named Zorba set the record for the world’s largest dog in 1989. He weighed in at 343 pounds, was 37 inches in height, and was 8-foot, 3-inches in length from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail.

Final Thoughts

While there is not a ton of information about this hybrid mix, we hope this article gives you insight into what to expect should you add one to your family.  Some key factors in raising a well-behaved dog are socialization and training, regardless of which gene the dog inherits. These dogs are better suited with an experienced dog owner who can be firm yet gentle so as not to disrupt the Mastiff’s sensitive side and firm enough to train the stubborn Shar Pei side. All in all, these dogs can make an excellent addition to your family, especially for those seeking a guard or watchdog.

Featured Image Credit: (L) Lilia Kulianionak, Shutterstock | (R) Joseph Gruber, Shutterstock

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