Shar-Pei Weight Chart

The Shar-Pei or Chinese Shar-Pei as they are sometimes called is a quite recognizable breed because of their abundant folds.

Dog owners sometimes require a Shar-Pei growth chart to monitor their development and anticipate their eventual size, so that proper accommodations can be made for them.

They are cute fun-loving companions who get along well with the entire family. Shar-Peis are a medium-sized breed, but they are also physically strong and muscular.

They have physical traits that many consider quite odd including their tiny triangular ears, broad muzzle, black tongue, and small sunken eyes.

They also have a strong personality which means that they require early socialization and training so that they can display acceptable behaviors.

Their strong-willed and independent personality may come as a shock to most owners who have never owned a Shar-Pei before.

Many Shar-Pei owners are unprepared and have a difficult time when it comes to getting them to act obediently.

That said, they are generally not too much to handle as long as you act early and provide consistent training. Shar-Peis are fiercely loyal and devoted to their humans.

When Is A Shar-Pei Fully Grown?

This is not a simple question to answer because dogs tend to have different birth rates even within a particular breed.

Their eventual size and the time it takes for them to attain it depends on a variety of factors such as exercise level, nutrition, etc.

Remember that no two dogs are the same and even though they may be raised similarly, they may have different outcomes.

Research conducted to address this question has shown that Shar-Peis usually stop growing when they are between the ages of 14 and 18 months.

During this age range, your Shar-Pei, male or female will attain full height but when it comes to weight you may see continual and a gradual increase until they are about 24 months.

That said, most of your Shar-Pei growth will occur during the first 12 months of their lives. After this time you will notice and that they gain weight but scarcely gain in height.

As a general rule, they will reach their full size at 16 months. Keep in mind that males are usually larger than females on average.

Shar-Pei Size Chart

The chart below will give the approximate calculations of your Shar-Peis weight.

However, you may notice that your dog has a greater weight than what is presented on the Shar-Pei weight chart. In that case, you should not read too much into it.

Nevertheless, there are some instances when you should take special care to assess your dog’s health.

For instance, if your Shar-Pei is particularly thin and has a much lower weight than what is listed in the chart, he may be undernourished. You should examine him carefully.

It is never a good thing when dogs are overweight, but when they have a few extra pounds you should not be overly concerned.

Your Shar-Pei may weigh a bit more than our estimations but as long as it is not too much, and your dog is in good health then you probably have nothing to worry about.

It’s important to check with your veterinarian to make sure that everything is fine.

You can use this Shar-Pei size chart by having an accurate account of your dog’s age so that you can look for the closest age on the chart.

Then you can look for the weight range that coincides with age. You can also make predictions about their growth based on how old they will be.

Age	Weight lbs	Weight kg
3 Months	21 - 25 lbs	9.5 - 11.3 kg
4 Months	27 - 33 lbs	12.2 - 15 kg
5 Months	33 - 40 lbs	15 - 18 kg
6 Months	40 - 47 lbs	18 - 21.3 kg
7 Months	42 - 51 lbs	19 - 23 kg
8 Months	45 - 54 lbs	20.5 - 24.5 kg
9 Months	47 - 57 lbs	21.3 - 26 kg
10 Months	49 - 59 lbs	22.2 - 26.8 kg
11 Months	51 - 61 lbs	23 - 27.5 kg
12 Months	53 - 62 lbs	24 - 28 kg
16 Months	55 - 65 lbs	25 - 29.5 kg

Shar-Pei Growth Chart – What To Expect

Birth – 2 Weeks

Shar-Pei puppies are born into a litter size of about 4-6 puppies, and they are reliant on their mothers to feed them and keep them warm.

You should allow your puppy to have this time with his mother as he needs her care to survive.

If for some reason she has rejected one of her puppies then you need to step in and provide the puppy with warmth using a heating pad. You also need to get a milk replacement so that your puppy can continue to be nourished in this critical time.

3 Weeks – 12 Weeks

Expect that your Shar-Pei will undergo several changes such as the introduction of solid foods. Remember that his teeth and gums will be tender as he is a young puppy.

Make sure that the food is at the right temperature and not too hot, so it won’t scald his mouth.

Make sure it is the correct consistency, as he will need food that is the right size and able to fit in his mouth. It also needs to be soft enough because his teeth are not properly developed.

His eyes will be open, and his muscles will get a bit stronger. At the end of this period, the male Shar-Pei will weigh about 21 to 25 whereas the female will weigh how about 16 to 21 lb.

4 Months – 9 Months

Your Shar-Pei will during the stage. Shar-Peis usually go into heat when they are about six months, but some dogs start a bit earlier at 4 months old.

Their heat cycle usually lasts for about 10 days, and you may notice some strange behavior that indicates the heat cycle.

For instance, you may notice that your dog has a swollen vulva or there may be a bloody discharge. At 6 months old,- your Shar-Pei is expected to be between 40 and 47 lb for males and 30 the 40 lb for females.

10 Months – 18 Months

During this stage, your Shar-Pei will have attained adulthood. And this does not mean that they will stop growing because they continue to gain weight until about 24 months of age.

However, at the one-year mark, a male Shar-Pei should weigh approximately 53 to 62 lb while their female counterparts usually weigh around 39 to 52 lb.

Adult

At this time your Shar-Pei Has been considered an adult for a while. Even though their height would remain constant for the most part and only grow slightly, they will gain muscle mass as they grow stronger.

Male Shar-Peis are usually between 17 and 20 in tall and females are typically around the same height.

How Big Do Shar-Peis Get?

Understand that a Shar-Pei is a medium-sized breed. Therefore, it means that their owners need to get some type of estimation of their size to make preparations for them.

It is important to know that predicting the exact size of a dog is not possible, however, there are a few methods that you can employ to make a reliable guess.

The best way to predict your Shar-Pei’s size is to look at his parents. Because of genetics Shar-Peis inherit their parent’s size and even some behavioral characteristics and diseases. In most cases, dogs are the average size of both parents.

You can also examine see or Shar-Peis paws because whenever dogs have incomplete growth, the paws and their head are slightly bigger in proportion to the rest of their body.

So if you noticed that he has larger paws, then you know that your Shar-Pei is not done growing.

A DNA test may also be helpful because they map your dog’s DNA so that you can learn of any other breeds that are in his ancestry so that the sizes of those breeds can be factored in.

If all else fails you can look at the chart within this article to be able to make your predictions.

Will Neutering/Spaying My Shar-Pei Affect His Growth?

There is great debate and discussion about spaying or neutering your dog and its effect on health.

Some believe that neutering or spaying does not do anything to stop a Shar-Pei from growing. In fact, there are a few good reasons to neuter or spay your dog.

Others believe that spaying and neutering will affect the rate of growth. To make the best decision for your dog, it is advised that you check with a veterinarian.

This is the best way to know what a good course of action is for your dog specifically.

When is the growth plates are closed, it would be the best time to have your Shar-Pei spayed.

By doing so, he will have the chance to develop normally since the hormones are affected by spaying and neutering. After 9 months is a safe time to get spayed or neutered.

Spaying and neutering can help with a few diseases that may develop throughout your dog’s lifespan. It can also help to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Shar-Pei Height Chart

Measuring the height of your Shar-Pei is not overly difficult, but you need to know exactly what you are doing. Start by sourcing a carpenter’s level, along with a pencil and a tape.

Your Shar-Pei needs to cooperate for this to work so have some treats ready so that you can reward him when you are done.

Place your Shar-Pei up against the wall, so that the measurements you take will be as accurate as possible. Make sure that he is standing up straight and not slouching or looking sideways.

Then you measure the height by the withers which are located at your dog’s shoulder blades and is the highest point.

Use the carpenters level across the withers so that it reaches the end of the wall. Then measure this exact spot on the wall with your measuring tape.

Record this measurement as it is your Shar-Peis height. Males are usually taller than females but they both average about 17 to 20 inches in adulthood.

Chow Chow vs Shar-Pei Size

Chow Chow dogs are usually 18 inches tall with a profuse double coat, but it is usually best when it’s kept shorter. Chow Chow dogs come in a variety of colors like fawn, red, blue, white, or cream.

On the other hand, the Shar-Pei is usually between 18 and 20 inches in height, but they have loose skin.

They also have a single coat as opposed to a double coat. Shar-Peis usually come in solid colors except for white.

They have flat and broad skulls which are quite large and a few wrinkles on their cheeks and forehead and their noses are usually black. On average the Shar-Pei is a bigger dog.

Factors That Affect Shar-Pei Growth

Genetics & Gender

Genetics usually plays a major role in your Shar-Pei ultimate size because genes are passed down from generation to generation. If your Shar-Pei puppy had two small parents then they will be small as well.

Consequently, to predict your puppy’s ultimate size, you can look to his parents by finding out from your breeder.

When it comes to gender, male Shar-Peis are usually bigger than females, and the rate of growth is determined by sex as well.

Nutrition

The food you give your Shar-Pei dog will be determined by his size and his age. Adult dogs should not be fed the same way that puppies are.

Adult Shar-Peis should be given around 1 to 2 cups of dry food every day spread over two meals. The food should be of high quality and when your Shar-Pei is a puppy he would need a bit more protein.

Protein along with healthy fats and loads of fiber will help your dog to have a balanced diet. there are essential vitamins and minerals required by your dog for healthy development.

Also, pay attention to your dog’s physical activity and feed him by this, because you do not want him to be obese.

Physical Activity & Health

Shar-Peis do not need a lot of physical activity, but they should be involved in some type of daily movement to maintain good health.

Shar-Peis usually operate by their human schedule, so they tend to be sedentary they are allowed to. However, if they are given an exercise they will enjoy it.

About one hour of exercise is a good way to keep your Shar-Pei in good health. A light walk should be done every day.

What If My Shar Pei Is Not The Right Weight

Your Shar-Pei should weigh around 40 to 65 lbs on average, and they usually stand at 17 to 20 in tall.

Your dog’s weight is important because when they are overweight, it can lead to a myriad of health problems but when they are underweight it can affect their health as well.

To tell if your Shar-Pei is too fat or too thin depends on the way it feels to you. You also have the option of checking with your veterinarian who would be able to provide more solid advice.

Simply observing your dog, can give you crucial information about their health and weight.

Conduct a quick profile check of your dog to tell if they are underweight or overweight.

It may be difficult to simply look at a Shar-Pei because they have loose skin that would give you the wrong indication. Observe whether your dog has a ribcage for bones or fat.

If you run your hands along his rib cage, and you can only feel the bone and not a layer of fat then he may be too thin.

But if you run your hands along his rib cage, and you cannot feel his ribs because it is covered in fat then you know that he is overweight.

Shar-Pei Genetics And Common Health Problems

Shar-Peis have been around for years and are considered purebred dogs. As with all purebred dogs, you can expect several genetic health problems.

If your breeder refuses to give you a health guarantee then you should not do business with him. Some breeders guarantee that your dog will have no health problems and this is simply not true.

A few of the conditions that affect your Shar-Pei include patella luxation, elbow dysplasia, skin fold infections, autoimmune thyroiditis, and eye problems like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal dysplasia, and entropion.

Final Words

Shar-Peis need to be trained at an early age so that they will be obedient. They are smart dogs who are willing to please their humans, however, they are sometimes stubborn end may display mischievous behavior.

Puppy training classes are advised because Shar-Peis need special attention when it comes to training. It is also important to start early so that they can adjust well and exhibit positive behaviors.

Shar-Peis require only minimal grooming, and they should take a bath at least once per month. They are not heavy shedders, but you should trim their nails and clean their ears. Also, remember to brush their teeth regularly.