Shar Pei Great Dane Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
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The Shar Pei Great Dane Mix is a designer dog with plenty of muscle and personality. This large hybrid breed is not as common or popular as either the Shar Pei or the Great Dane purebreds, but they are still making a name for themselves.
The Great Dane and the Shar Pei have different temperaments, which means you never know exactly what you’re going to get with a Shar Pei Great Dane Mix. However, there are a few things that we can be sure of, such as the fact that this dog is quite large once fully grown. Here’s what else you should know about the interesting Shar Pei Great Dane Mix.
| Height: | 18–30 inches |
| Weight: | 60–150 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Colors: | Red, brindle, fawn, white, black, gray |
| Suitable for: | Experienced dog owners |
| Temperament: | Loyal, smart, curious, family-oriented |
The Great Dane Shar Pei mix is a smart, curious dog that enjoys the company of their human companions. They are affectionate with those they know but can be wary of strangers, so socialization is important at a young age. Their intelligence makes it easy for them to pick up commands and tasks during training, but their stubbornness can get in the way of said training, so a firm hand and plenty of patience are necessary for the trainer.
Shar Pei Great Dane Mix Characteristics
Shar Pei Great Dane Mix Puppies
As a puppy, this mixed breed is rambunctious, curious, and super adorable. They grow quickly, so it is important to implement obedience training by 8 to 12 weeks of age. Otherwise, their size and puppy-like behavior can cause accidental damage and/or injuries in the household. These energetic dogs can get along well with children, but the excitement of playing can make for a loud and rambunctious household, so adult supervision during play sessions is highly recommended.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Shar Pei Great Dane Mix 🧠
To understand the temperament and intelligence of this mixed breed, we must take a look at these traits in the parent breeds, the Shar Pei and the Great Dane. Their mixed offspring will take on a few traits of each parent, but these will vary from puppy to puppy.
Basically, you won’t know exactly how a dog of this mixed breed will be in terms of temperament until you get to know them. They could take more after their Great Dane parent, they could be more like their Shar Pei parent, or they could inherit a balanced mix of traits from both parents.
The Shar Pei
The typical Shar Pei is extremely loyal to their family members. They tend to get quickly attached, which is endearing but could also lead to problems like separation anxiety. They are independent and protective, traits that can make them excellent watchdogs. That said, many Shar Pei are territorial, which can lead to aggression and stubbornness. Without being socialized from a young age, they are likely to become aloof with or even distrustful of strangers. The Shar Pei is a smart dog that can quickly learn new tasks and commands. They usually take well to training and are considered one of the easiest breeds to potty train.
The Great Dane
Great Danes are often lovingly referred to as “gentle giants” by their caretakers because of their affectionate personalities. They are sociable all around and can get along well with kids, other dogs, and even household cats. However, their huge size gives them immense strength that they don’t realize that they have. Therefore, training is essential during puppyhood. These are smart dogs, but they are not the quickest learners, so patience is necessary during training sessions.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The Shar Pei Great Dane Mix is a good family dog for the most part. Their stubbornness and territorial tendencies may be a problem for families with young children and first-time dog owners in general. That said, this mixed breed is usually bright, playful, affectionate, and loyal when it comes to their human companions. They must be trained and socialized while still young and small to help prevent accidents and injuries as they get bigger. Children should be taught how to behave around the dog to ensure that things don’t get too rambunctious at any time.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
In general, the Shar Pei Great Dane Mix can get along well with other dogs and animals if they are socialized with puppies. However, their territorial nature can be a problem in places like their home and the dog park. If they grow up with other dogs or even cats, they shouldn’t have a problem getting along in a multi-pet household. However, it’s never a good idea to let strange dogs in their house, and you should take it slow when making introductions to new dogs in public settings.
Things to Know When Owning a Shar Pei Great Dane Mix
It’s a good idea to learn about the care needs of the Shar Pei Great Dane Mix before deciding to bring one home as a pet and companion. You should know exactly what to feed them, how much exercise they need, the kind of grooming that is required, and even the health problems that they are susceptible to. Only then can you determine whether you want to commit to caring for this large, affectionate mixed breed.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
This mixed breed should be offered a high-quality commercial food that is formulated specifically for large breeds and that is designed for certain stages of life. Puppies should have food made just for puppies, and the same goes for adults and seniors. Treats should be reserved for training and occasional rewards. Their food should consist of quality meat and whole grains and be void of artificial ingredients whenever possible.
Exercise 🐕
Great Danes require about 2 hours of daily exercise to get rid of excess energy and keep their bodies healthy. The Shar Pei is more adaptable and can be happy and healthy whether they engage in a large amount of exercise or just take short walks during the day. Therefore, the Shar Pei Great Dane Mix can usually be fine with about 1 hour of exercise each day. This exercise can be in the form of walking, hiking, and off-leash activity in a secured area.
Training 🎾
This mixed breed is bound to be smart and stubborn, so obedience training is a necessity. Training should begin during early puppyhood and continue throughout adulthood. These are large dogs, so it’s critical that they understand not to jump on people and objects and to be aware of their surroundings. Watchdog training is also something to consider, as these dogs can make excellent protectors of your home and property. We recommend working with a professional trainer for this to ensure that proper practices are in place. Agility training can be done for fun, but the large structure of this dog’s body wouldn’t do them any favors in competitions.
Grooming ✂️
This mixed breed requires minimal grooming like both their parent breeds. They do shed, but brushing once or twice a week will help keep hair from gathering around the house. Some dogs are prone to ear infections due to their Shar Pei genes, so cleaning the ears out once a week or so is important. Bathing can commence about once a month to keep the coat clean without drying out the skin. Nails should be trimmed only when necessary, using a grinder when possible.
Health and Conditions ❤️
The Shar Pei Great Dane Mix can be susceptible to any of the health conditions that either of their parent breeds are. It is important to know about these conditions so testing can be done to help prevent or catch any problems early.
- Eye abnormalities
- Happy tail syndrome
- Wobbler syndrome
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Hip dysplasia
- Autoimmune thyroiditis
- Patellar luxation
- Gastric dilation volvulus
Male vs. Female
Like most dog breeds, male Great Dane Shar Pei mixed dogs are generally larger than their female counterparts. Females are also thought to be a bit more independent and territorial, though not really enough to set them apart from males. Otherwise, there is not a big difference between male and female Shar Pei Great Dane Mixes. It’s better to choose a dog based on their individual personality and temperament rather than their sex.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Shar Pei Great Dane Mix
1. Their Weight Can Widely Vary
The Shar Pei weighs between 40 and 65 pounds, while the Great Dane comes in at 100–200 pounds when fully grown. Therefore, the Shar Pei Great Dane Mix can weigh anywhere between 60 and 150 pounds! You never know just how big one of these dogs will get until they become adults, around the age of 2.
2. They Come in a Variety of Colors
The Shar Pei Great Dane Mix can take on any of the coat colors that either of their parent breeds can produce. These include red, gray, brindle, white, fawn, and black. It should be clear what color a dog will be when they are first born, and the coloring won’t change much, if at all, as time goes on.
3. Their Traits Can Greatly Vary Too
Like their weight and coat coloring, the Shar Pei Great Dane Mix’s traits can vary depending on which parent breed they take more after. Some might take on an abundance of one parent’s traits, while others will receive a variety of traits from each parent.
Final Thoughts
The Shar Pei Great Dane Mix is an amazing mixed dog breed that loves companionship, shows extensive loyalty, and enjoys being playful. They can help protect their families and homes and are smart enough to learn basic obedience commands quickly. This mixed breed isn’t for everyone, though. They’re big and strong and require a firm yet compassionate hand when it comes to handling.
Featured Image Credit: Left – Liliya Kulianionak, Shutterstock | Right – Tara Lynn and Co, Shutterstock
