Swedish Vallhund vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison

Swedish Vallhund vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed ComparisonChinese Shar Pei is originated from China but Swedish Vallhund is originated from Sweden. Chinese Shar Pei may grow 22 cm / 9 inches higher than Swedish Vallhund. Chinese Shar Pei may weigh 11 kg / 25 pounds more than Swedish Vallhund. Chinese Shar Pei may live 4 years less than Swedish Vallhund. Chinese Shar Pei may have less litter size than Swedish Vallhund. Both Chinese Shar Pei and Swedish Vallhund requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Non sporting dog
Herding dogs
undefined
China
Sweden
Height Male:
46 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
30 - 34 cm
11 - 14 inches
Height Female:
43 - 53 cm
16 - 21 inches
30 - 34 cm
11 - 14 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Weight Female:
16 - 24 kg
35 - 53 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 11 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 10
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Shar-Pei, char pei
Västgötaspets, Swedish cow dog
Colors Available:
cream, red, blue, black silver sables, black bronze sables, isabelle (silver shading on a dilute-colored dog), cream dilute, flower (white with either blue or black patche , apricot dilute, lilac, chocolate, five-point red, sables, chocolate dilute, black, red fawn, brown
Cream, grey, brown
Coat:
Horse-coat, Brush-coat and Bear-coat
Medium length, thick
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Responsive, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

chinese shar peiThe Chinese Shar-Pei is originally from Canton, China. The Shar-Pei has a blue-black tongue and many deep wrinkles. They have more wrinkles as a puppy than the adult dogs do. They are one of the rarest breeds in the world and are considered a basal breed – meaning their existence predates modern canines. Most canines are related to the gray wolf through genetic admixture. However, there are breeds like the Siberian Husky, the Greenland Dog, Finnish Spitz and the Shar Pei are all related to the Taymyr Wolk of North Asia through admixture. The Shar Pei is found throughout the centuries in Chinese artwork, especially found during the Han Dynasty, and are considered one of the most ancient of breeds on earth today. In this period, they were fighting dogs then became beloved pets. Today the Tibetans still use them as fighting dogs.

Following the Communist Revolution, the Char Pei was almost extinct until Margo Law saved the breed. During this time, they smuggled around 200 dogs into the United States. All the dogs in the United States today come from those 200 dogs. They were accepted in 1992 into the AKC. The dogs served as trackers, hunters, ratters, guard dogs and herders.

swedish vallhundKnown also as the Västgötaspets or Swedish cow dog, the Valhund hails from Sweden. It’s a herding dog, and was always a farm dog in that country.

It was in 1943 that the dog was first recognized as a breed by the Swedish Kennel Club. Only later, in 1996, did the American Kennel Club start registering the breed.

Description

chinese shar pei puppy - descriptionThe Chines Sar Pei has what if known as a Horse-coat which is prickly, harsh, and rough to the touch on one direction and rough to touch on the other. Western Shar Peis can be Horse, Bearcoat and Brush. The Brush is longer and smoother while the Bear coat is rare and in-between the two. The Bearcoat is not accepted by the AKC while the other two types of coats are.

The Shar Pei should have a hippo shaped head, a black-purple tongue, black mouth, deep set almond shaped dark eyes, small ears and red coats. His profile is square, and his muzzle is full and wide. Most Shar Peis only have facial and neck wrinkles left as adults.

swedish vallhund puppy - descriptionLooking much like a cross between a Corgi and the German Shepherd, the Swedish Valhund is a medium sized dog that stands between 30 and 34cm in height and weighs between 9 and 14kg.

His medium length weather-resistant coat is available in wolf like shades – cream, grey, brown etc. The tail can be long or bobbed and the medium sized ears are held erect.

Temperament:

Intelligent, confident, independent, alert, playful and active, your Swedish Valhund promises to make a good family pet.

You'll need to be an active, outdoor type of family though, as he isn’t a couch potato type of dog, snoozing in front of the TV.

He wants to be up and about going on long walks or playing ball games that give him a good run. If he gets his fair share of exercise he can adapt to life in the city or the countryside.

He is intelligent too and will respond well to training and socialization.

He just loves his human family and wants to be constantly with them. He won’t do well if you just keep him locked outside away from everyone. He is social, alert innovative and entertaining as well as being a good guard dog.

Characteristics

chinese shar pei dog - characteristicsThe Shar Pei must be socialized early to other people, children and animals if he is to be friendly with them. He is loyal to his people and instinctively wary of strangers. He will be completed devoted to his people, but he is reserved and independent. They can be aggressive and territorial if not socialized. They are stubborn, loving and loyal. They are dominant, brave and playful. They are great watch dogs. Keep them busy because they tend to think a lot independently and if they don’t have a job they may create one.

swedish vallhund dog - characteristicsYour Swedish Valhund is such a confident, independent dog and he promises to be a loving, faithful pet. He's also alert and will let you know if strangers are approaching his property.

He is a calm, easy going pet and is capable of adapting to quiet or noisy homes. He may be quite a strange looking dog, but he's got a whole lot of loving to give.

Health Problems

chinese shar pei puppies - health problemsBecause of the rushed and inexperienced breeding programs in the United States due to the popularity of the breed, there are many health issues in the North American version of the Shar Pei. Their life expectancy is generally under ten years. They are prone to:

  • Familial Shar Pei Fever - congenital
  • Atopic Dermatitis – due to skin and coat conditions
  • Skin Infections – due to skin and coat conditions
  • Amyloidosis – Long term related to FSF
  • Entropion eye issues
  • Ear infections
  • Vitamin D deficiency hereditary

swedish vallhund puppies - health problemsCapable of living a long, healthy life, the Swedish Valhund isn’t likely to fall victim to some of the many dog illnesses there are, and yet it is wise to be alert to some of them that he could get.

One of these is an hereditary eye disease known as retinopathy. Its where there is degeneration of the retinal photoreceptor cells. This eye disease can lead to blindness.  

You need to be careful with this pet of yours, because with his long back and short legs he can so easily hurt his back if he leaps off a bed or high chair.

Whenever you pick this dog up, always support his legs and back. Don’t pick them up without supporting both the front legs and the rear end.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

chinese shar pei dogs - caringFeed a good quality dry dog food but do not overfeed. You should feed twice a day about one cup per six pounds for puppies. Adults should have two cups a day.

Health issues

• Familial Shar Pei Fever – congenital and serious. This produces fevers that can last from 24 hours to three days. Swelling around the ankles is due to fluid retention.

  • Atopic Dermatitis – due to skin and coat conditions hereditary
  • Skin Infections – due to skin and coat conditions hereditary
  • Amyloidosis – Long term related to FSF and leads to renal failure.

• Entropion eye issues – eyelashes curl in and inflame the eye. Can cause blindness if not treated. Requires surgery.

  • Ear infections – yeast infections – clean them often.
  • Vitamin D deficiency hereditary – causes swollen hocks syndrome and fever.

Exercise and games

Both as a puppy and an adult this is a pretty active dog. He needs at the very least to be walked every day or have a back yard to play in. They are sensitive to heat so bring them in when its really hot and don’t walk them in the heat. They love to play, are athletic and competitive. Try agility, tracking, rally and obedience trials.

swedish vallhund dogs - caringTry and feed your Swedish Valhund two meals a day instead of just one, so that he doesn’t gobble down his food too quickly.

Your dog can be prone to obesity, so you have to be careful with the way you feed him. Overfeeding a dog packs on extra weight and this puts strain on the joints.

Apart from the dry kibble that you feed him, try to include some tasty, nutritious homemade food such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach.

This can all be chopped up and added to his dry kibble. Some raw meat added to the diet can only be to his benefit. Remember to always ensure a bowl of fresh, cool water is available.

General Care:

Give his thick coat a brush twice a week to remove dead hair. Brushing also stimulates the sebaceous glands that produces oil which gives the coat is sheen.

Open his mouth and check for rotting teeth which can be painful for him.

Trim his nails because left long, they can hook onto things and rip the skin open.

Check inside the ears too for redness which could mean an ear infection.You get dog wipes that you can wipe the ear out with. There are always professional dog groomers who can do these chores for you if you don't want to.

See that his vaccines are up to date and that if he shows signs of illness, you get him to the vet.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Swedish Vallhund vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Swedish Vallhund vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Swedish Vallhund vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Swedish Vallhund vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Swedish Vallhund vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Swedish Vallhund vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Swedish Vallhund vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Swedish Vallhund vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Swedish Vallhund vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Swedish Vallhund vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Swedish Vallhund vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Swedish Vallhund vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Swedish Vallhund vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Swedish Vallhund vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Swedish Vallhund vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Swedish Vallhund vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Swedish Vallhund vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Swedish Vallhund vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Swedish Vallhund vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Swedish Vallhund vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Swedish Vallhund vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Swedish Vallhund vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Swedish Vallhund vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Swedish Vallhund vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Swedish Vallhund vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Chinese Shar Pei vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Chinese Shar Pei vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Chinese Shar Pei vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Chinese Shar Pei vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Chinese Shar Pei vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Chinese Shar Pei vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Chinese Shar Pei vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Chinese Shar Pei vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Chinese Shar Pei vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Chinese Shar Pei vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Chinese Shar Pei vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Chinese Shar Pei vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Chinese Shar Pei vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Chinese Shar Pei vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Chinese Shar Pei vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Chinese Shar Pei vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Chinese Shar Pei vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Chinese Shar Pei vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Chinese Shar Pei vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Chinese Shar Pei vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Chinese Shar Pei vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Chinese Shar Pei vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Chinese Shar Pei vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Chinese Shar Pei vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Chinese Shar Pei vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison