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20 Shar-Pei Mixed Breeds (With Pictures)

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

Chinese Shar pei puppy portrait at garden_Waldemar Dabrowski_shutterstock

The Shar-Pei is an independent dog, originally bred for hunting and herding, but later bred for fighting. They are not considered a good breed for first-time owners and, although they can be affectionate and kind to their family, they can be aggressive with other people and other animals. With that said, a good handler can bring the best out of this impressive dog. As well as being independent and not clingy, the Shar-Pei sheds minimally, grooms easily, and guards attentively.

The Shar-Pei is a quick learner, which means that they can be trained by a firm but kind handler. In fact, early training and socialization from a young age should be considered a vital part of owning this breed.

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Shar-Pei Mixed Breeds

Their unique looks and aloofness attracts owners, and it is the trainability and toughness that have made them popular as a parent breed for hybrids. Below, we have highlighted 20 Shar-Pei mixes, some of which are more popular than others, but all have the potential to display Shar-Pei characteristics and will require an experienced hand to bring out the best in each dog.

1. Cocker-Pei (Cocker Spaniel x Shar-Pei)

The Cocker Spaniel is a bright, alert, and energetic dog that is loyal to family. They bond very strongly with people, and they are considered one of the best breeds for training. This means that the Cocker-Pei has the potential to either be very loyal or stubborn and headstrong or possibly a mixture of the two. They will grow to be about 15 inches in height and weigh up to 30 pounds. Because the Shar-Pei has the potential to gain unwanted weight, you will need to take care that your Cocker-Pei does not overeat.


2. Bull-Pei (Bulldog x Shar-Pei)

Bullpei puppy pouting fur the camera
Image Credit: Gracie1996, Shutterstock

The Bulldog and the Shar-Pei share some physical characteristics, in that they both have loose and wrinkled skin. They also have short hair that is easy to manage, so the resulting Bull-Pei hybrid breed will display these same characteristics. The benefit of breeding the Shar-Pei with the Bulldog is that the Bulldog is very friendly and forms an intense bond with his owner. They are usually friendly and energetic dogs that love to meet new people. This can help to dull the somewhat aggressive edges of the Shar-Pei breed.


3. Lab-Pei (Labrador x Shar-Pei)

Lab Pei smiling
Image credit: Crystal Alba, Shutterstock

The Labrador consistently places as the most popular dog breed in the world. Lab-Pei are very loyal, love to play, and socialize well with all people and children. They are also highly intelligent, which is why they are deployed as a service dog, sniffer dog, and an Army dog. The Shar-Pei is also known for being intelligent and deceptively easy to train, but, unlike the Labrador parent breed, they are known for being aggressive if not trained and socialized properly from a young age. You could be getting an aggressive Labrador or a less aggressive Shar-Pei depending on which parent breed the dog inherits his characteristics.


4. Pit-Pei (Pit Bull x Shar-Pei)

Shar-Pei Pitbull Pit-Pei
Pit-Pei puppy. | Image credit: J.A. Dunbar, Shutterstock

Pitbulls and Shar-Pei have both been bred as pit fighting dogs, and they have both gained a reputation for being potentially aggressive. With that said, members of both breeds can make very good family pets if trained properly. Before considering getting a Pit-Pei, though, you need to check the laws in your area because American Pitbulls and “Pitbull-type dogs” have been outlawed in many parts of the US and are considered dangerous breeds in other countries around the world. At the very least, you should not consider a dog of this crossbreed, unless you have experience in owning a Pitbull or Shar-Pei before.


5. American Ori-Pei (Pug x Shar-Pei)

The American Ori-Pei, also known as the Pugpei, Sharpug, or Pug-a-pei, is a hybrid breed bred in America, hence his name. The Pug parent breed has become one of the most popular toy breeds of recent years, especially with young children because they are very friendly and outgoing, and because they can be a lot of fun, their actions often give owners cause for laughter. They are popular family pets. Unfortunately, their overbreeding has led to some fairly serious physical flaws, and they can suffer from some of the same conditions of the Shar-Pei, which increases the likelihood of the hybrid breed developing the same condition.


6. Chow-Pei (Chow Chow x Shar-Pei)

The Shar-Pei and the Chow Chow are both ancient Chinese breeds with a lot of history and make a great hybrid in the Chow-Pei. Both parent breeds were also used for guarding, and this can lead to a potentially dangerous mix. The Chow Chow also has long hair that is a lot more difficult to manage than the Shar-Pei’s short hair. Like the Pitbull, you need to check the legality of owning a Chow Chow in your area because they may be outlawed where you live.


7. Shepherd-Pei (German Shepherd x Shar-Pei)

German Shepherds are loyal and courageous. They are also intelligent and can be trained to perform a vast array of tasks. This combination sees the German Shepherd trained as police dogs and used as guard dogs around the world. When combined with the Shar-Pei, you can get a highly effective and loyal guard dog, but this is another breed that is not recommended for beginners because they can be very rowdy. You could be biting off more than you chew with this hybrid breed.


8. Sharberian Husky (Siberian Husky x Shar-Pei)

The Sharberian Husky is an interesting mix. Huskies are hard work in a whole different way. They are full to the brim with energy. They need at least a couple of walks a day, and if you don’t give them the physical and mental stimulation their breed demands, you can quickly find yourself with a wrecked home. Huskies also prefer to be outside, and some will go to extremes to achieve this. Combined with the Shar-Pei, you are going to get an energetic dog that requires training and socialization to ensure that they are well adjusted.


9. Rott-Pei (Rottweiler x Shar-Pei)

The Rottweiler has developed a bad reputation for being aggressive. Many people will argue that this reputation is unwarranted because the breed makes a loyal, loving, and protective family pet. But their aggressive looks, stocky build, and trainability mean that they have been used as a highly effective guard dog. Mixed with the Shar-Pei, the Rott-Pei is a great dog. Ensure early training and socialization and you should expect a family dog that will bond well with its owners but will be wary around strangers.


10. Shar-Poo (Poodle x Shar-Pei)

The Poodle is a very popular breed and is especially popular for hybrid breeding. This is partially because their hair is less likely to have a negative impact on those with dog allergies, but also because they are intelligent and easy to train. Poodles are also very energetic and agile and love their family. Expect your Shar-Poo to be lively and requiring a lot of exercise, but still expect them to be wary around new people.


11. Golden-Pei (Golden Retriever x Shar Pei)

Golden-Pei
Image credit: Debra Anderson, Shutterstock

The Golden Retriever and the Shar-Pei are very different dogs, on paper. The Shar-Pei can be aggressive and is strong-willed and independent and won’t always show much affection even to family. The Golden Retriever, on the other hand, is always eager to please, can act a bit goofy, and will love anybody and everybody that is willing to give them a little bit of attention.

Your Golden-Pei hybrid could be at either end of this spectrum, but it is more likely that they will fall somewhere in between. They will be a loving family dog but wary around strangers. They should be easy to train, and with early socialization, you shouldn’t have any aggression problems.


12. Shar-Akita (Akita x Shar Pei)

The Akita is a trusted guard dog and, when combined with the Shar-Pei, produces a hybrid that is best left for singles and experienced handlers. The Shar-Akita won’t usually make the best family pet, although they won’t necessarily be aggressive either.


13. Sharp Eagle (Beagle x Shar-Pei)

sharp eagle shar pei beagle mix
Image credit: Annie 888, Shutterstock

The Sharp Eagle is a hybrid breed that comes from the Shar-Pei and the Beagle parent breeds. The Beagle is an English hunting dog that has been used to hunt and catch rabbits and other small game. They are incredibly single-minded and can be a challenge to train. They will also have a high prey-drive and buckets of energy. This combination means that the Sharp Eagle can be a real handful — a serious challenge even for the experienced handler.


14. Box-a-Shar (Boxer x Shar-Pei)

The Box-a-Shar can be quite a big dog and will normally take on attributes from both breeds. Hopefully, this means that they get their intelligence from the Shar-Pei and their loyal and loving attitude from the Boxer. The resulting hybrid can make an excellent family pet that is also a highly effective guard dog that will keep an eye out for strangers.


15. Ba-Shar (Basset Hound x Shar-Pei)

Ba-Shar dog on grass
Image credit: Enbrunner, Shutterstock

The Ba-Shar is a cross between the Shar-Pei and the Basset Hound. The Basset Hound gets on with everybody, including children, and while they can seem slow, if they pick up a scent while outdoors, they will stubbornly follow it to discover its source. They can also be very stubborn when it comes to training, and unlike the Shar-Pei, they don’t like being left alone. Your hybrid could adopt any of these characteristics and mix them with some of the characteristics of the Shar-Pei.


16. Weim-Pei (Weimaraner x Shar-Pei)

The Weimaraner is a beautiful and loyal dog that gets on with their family, but can be a challenge to own. They make a very effective guard dog and will watch your home and verbally alert you to just about anything that moves, doesn’t move, makes a noise, or looks different. The resulting hybrid breed needs to know that you are the alpha dog in the pack; otherwise, they will want to take this position for themself. Although the Weim-Pei is not recommended for novice owners, they will usually be good with children and can make a good family pet.


17. Tosa-Pei (Japanese Tosa x Shar-Pei)

tosa sharpei
Featured Image Credit: 1, 2.

The Tosa-Pei combines the Shar-Pei with the Japanese Tosa. The Tosa is considered a rare dog breed, and as such, there are very few examples of the Tosa-Pei hybrid breed. They are very Mastiff-like and are usually placid, quiet, and obedient but vigilant and watchful. Like the Shar-Pei, they are used as guard dogs. The hybrid breed can make an excellent family pet if they are socialized from a very young age.


18. Shar-Tzu (Shih Tzu x Shar-Pei)

The Shar-Tzu is a combination of Shar-Pei and Shih-Tzu. The Shih-Tzu is smaller than the Shar-Pei, and you will usually end up with a dog that falls between them on the size scale. You will also end up with a friendly and playful dog that loves nothing more than spending time with family and a toy. They can be testy with other animals and snappy with young children, however, so it is recommended that this breed be reserved for adults or for families with older children.


19. Rus-a-Pei (Jack Russell x Shar Pei)

When you’ve met a Jack Russell, you never forget them. They might be small, but they are lively and have bountiful energy. They love to play and are capable runners, jumpers, and exceptional diggers. The resulting hybrid is a determined dog with plenty of brainpower to figure out whatever it considers a challenge. You will need to challenge the Rus-a-Pei mentally and provide plenty of physical exercise if you want a reasonably quiet life.


20. Frenchie-Pei (French Bulldog x Shar-Pei)

The Frenchie-Pei combines the alertness of the Shar-Pei with the slightly smaller size of the French Bulldog. The hybrid is an affectionate and alert dog that enjoys spending time with all the members of their family, as well as meeting new people. They can be lazy, though, spending most of the day asleep. The combination of the two breeds means that the Frenchie-Pei should be intelligent and incredibly eager to please his owners.

Divider 2Conclusion: Shar Pei Mix

The Shar-Pei is considered a challenging breed to own. Without proper socialization and training, they can become unruly and potentially even aggressive. Shar-Pei mixed breeds can have a softer version of these characteristics so that you get, for example, the loving and loyal nature of the Labrador mixed in.

But there is never a guarantee when combining two breeds that you will get the desirable traits of both. However, many owners have enjoyed loyal and loving dogs from the list above. The Shar-Pei mixes above are 20 of the best known, but others do also exist.

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Featured Image Credit: Waldemar Dabrowski, Shutterstock

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