Sharpei belong to medium-sized breeds, their weight usually does not exceed 25 kg. Often, these animals have a long life, but these dogs cannot boast of such a feature. Many breeders would like to purchase an original pet for themselves, and, in addition to the conditions of its maintenance, the question always remains in the first place how many years live sharpei. When accepting a puppy in your family, you must follow the rules for caring for it, fully feed, taking into account the physiological characteristics, and give optimal physical activity.
Hereditary problems
Being interested in how many years sharpei live, it is necessary to find out the experience of centuries-old selection of this breed. It is known that the animal was previously used for dog fighting. As a result of such unreasonable treatment, pets developed certain pathologies:
- allergic reactions to many products;
- frequent otitis media;
- various skin diseases;
- hereditary fever.
Much depends on the conditions of detention, feeding and genetic characteristics, how many sharpei live at home. There are averaged data according to which the life expectancy of a purebred dog is about 10 years. But dogs in the presence of good heredity, optimal living conditions, feeding and care can cross the line as much as 15 years. However, such a life expectancy is considered the exception rather than the norm.
How not to make a mistake with the choice?
How many sharpei live at home is of interest to all responsible breeders. In order for the animal to please its owners with good health and live for a long time as long as possible, it is necessary to seriously approach the choice of a puppy.
Initially, you need to purchase only a healthy representative of the breed. It is not recommended to save and buy sharpei from people who are not able to provide the relevant documents for parents-manufacturers. If you buy sharpei in the market without a pedigree, there is a great risk of acquiring a dog born from close relatives.
As a result, it becomes unimportant how many sharpei dogs live by standards. Indeed, even under favorable conditions, genetic mutations will not have the best effect on health. In addition, hereditary pathologies are especially often manifested in conjunction with the general weakness of the body.
Ways to extend the life of a pet
Not only genetic predisposition and heredity affects the life expectancy of sharpei. The owner of the animal can also have a significant impact on this indicator. It is necessary to provide the pet with optimal care. At home, the dog should be provided with:
- regular examination by a veterinarian, including all routine and recommended vaccinations;
- balanced, and most importantly high-quality nutrition, which may consist of natural food and prepared feeds;
- physical load necessary for this breed;
- full care for sharpei skin folds.
Veterinarians, answering the question of breeders, how many years sharpei live at home, emphasize that an average duration of 10 years is possible only if all the recommended conditions of detention are observed. It must be remembered that the breed has a tendency to obesity, which negatively affects the work of the heart and joints. Overweight animals usually live one third less than their counterparts who have normal weight.
How many sharpei live - boys and girls?
The life expectancy of each breed also depends on the gender of the dog. Veterinarians know that males usually live 2–3 years less than bitches. In addition, the number of years is affected whether the animal is neutered or not. In the latter case, the indicator is slightly less.
How much sharpei girls live depends on childbearing. The life span of a bitch that has repeatedly bred offspring is less than a sterilized dog under the same conditions of keeping such an animal.
To maintain the health status of an elderly sharpei and prolong his life, it is necessary to give vitamins and drugs that support the vital functions of the body, recommended by a veterinarian.
Optimal care
How many sharpei live at home depends largely on the correct content of the animal. The pet has a short coat, which makes grooming in an apartment easier. The length of the coat varies, but does not exceed 2.5 cm.
It is worth remembering that representatives of the breed do not like to swim and water procedures are difficult to tolerate. Therefore, it is recommended to teach a puppy to bathing from a very young age. To do this, use a specialized shampoo designed for shorthair breeds and a bath of warm water. After bathing, dry the hair with a soft rag and comb it with a medium hard brush. Regular combing is especially important when the animal sheds. To maintain health, you need to walk sharpei for at least an hour.
Feeding Features
How many years sharpei live, also depends on how they are fed. Veterinarians emphasize that an important role in the duration of an active life is given to a competent diet. It is known that an improperly selected menu causes an allergic reaction in sharpei and disruptions in the digestive system.
Puppies ration
To feed sharpei puppies, it is best to use hypoallergenic food, where soy, chicken fat and corn are absent or minimized. When the dog is six months old, you can switch to food, where protein components make up about 22%, while fat should not exceed 12%. The main component in the composition of the selected feed should be meat flour.
Adult Pet Menu
How many years a sharpei dog lives depends largely on a well-composed diet. At the moment, the BARF system is a popular feeding technique. It involves the inclusion in the pet's menu of natural products:
- The basis of the diet should be raw chicken backs and wings. It is recommended to clean them from skins beforehand.
- Vegetables and fruits, as well as offal, serve as an addition to the bird.
- It is forbidden to offer cereal products and cereals.
- Fruits and vegetables are best used frozen and scalded with boiling water. Before feeding the dogs they are brought to a puree state.
- Be sure to offer sharpei vitamin complexes, as well as fish oil, alfalfa and seaweed.
It is important to observe the daily norm when feeding. For an adult dog, the diet should be no more than 3% of the weight of the pet in order to prevent obesity. However, if there is a lack of mass, the daily rate increases to 5%.
A standard amount of food is offered to an adult sharpei twice a day.
Advantages of the breed
Only a socialized dog has a large number of advantages. With the correct education sharpei:
- Adequately refers to the pranks of children, but it should be borne in mind that in response to their rudeness can be aggressive.
- The animal is ideal for the elderly and those who prefer to lead a measured life.
- It is unpretentious in care and does not require special conditions of detention.
- Despite the loss of the original signs of the breed, the dogs did not lose their protective qualities, therefore, if necessary, they are quite capable of protecting their owner.
We can say that sharpei is unpretentious in content and hardy dog. It has unusual external characteristics and is able to become a reliable friend for all family members.
Disadvantages of the breed
How many years have lived sharpei, of course, excites potential breeders. After all, finding a family friend is so difficult to part with him because of death. But other indicators are important. Choosing this breed, you need to understand that sharpei is a fairly independent, wayward and confident pet. He survives only with a demanding, but kind owner. It is recommended that the animal be trained with the assistance of professionals. Of course, the costs increase, but at the exit you can get a well-educated, adequate and fully socialized animal.
Pet character
Sharpei are distinguished by independence, tranquility, loyalty and at the same time complete devotion to all family members. The breed is characterized by distrust and increased caution.
Animals have deep-set eyes, which causes limited peripheral vision. As a result, pets are too shy. To minimize the risk of getting an unbalanced and aggressive dog, it is necessary to train and socialize it from a very young age.
Experienced breeders note that the breed is amazingly smart. A dog can become an excellent watchman, while a community of familiar people only pleases a pet. The animal is attached to the owner, but also obeys all other family members. The advantage of sharpei is the observance of cleanliness and neatness in the house.
Standard breed parameters
How long a sharpei dog lives depends on its genetic characteristics. It is important that puppies are produced by non-closely related dogs. As a result of competent crossbreeding, healthy offspring are born.
There are standards where the height and weight of an adult are prescribed:
- The weight of the bitch can range from 18 to 20 kg, the height at the withers is from 46 to 51 cm.
- The weight of the male is in the range from 25 to 37 kg, the height at the withers is also from 46 to 51 cm.
Minor deviations from standard values are not considered critical. But with participation in exhibitions, a dog can be classified as a low class.
Most often, dogs that have classical data and are kept under all conditions live about ten years.
How to care for coat?
For the evaluation of sharpei, there are their own approved standards. A feature of the breed is the presence of a large number of folds with bristly and short hair. Moreover, the undercoat is completely absent. The average length of the coat is between 1-25 mm.
Breeders need to remember that wool is not trimmed. Sharpei, to fulfill all conditions of the breed, must have a solid color of any shade, except for pure white. At the same time, a dark shade is allowed in the region of the posterior femoral and caudal parts, as well as in the region of the back and ears.
Conclusion
Shar Pei is an excellent companion dog and can also be used as a guard and hunting breed. The life expectancy of a pet with proper care, good nutrition and good heredity is about 10 years. Of course, for some this indicator may seem small, but the genetic characteristics do not allow the dog to live longer. However, there is evidence that pets pleased their owners up to 15 years.
To achieve this effect, it is necessary to fully feed the pet, care for skin folds and maintain physical activity within normal limits. No less important is the training of the animal and its socialization in order to avoid excessive aggression and, consequently, deterioration of health. In the presence of good nature, the nervous system is not subjected to unnecessary stress.