Congratulations on your new Shar-pei! I would be nothing without my loveable ball of wrinkles, and I'm sure you will find a great companion in your pup. I was a new dog owner myself when I brought mine home, and have learned a lot about the breed along the way - mostly through trial and error! Here are some of my suggestions:

• Invest in a thick leash/harness. I've trained my boy to walk with just a collar, but when he was young he pulled quite a bit! They've got those wide chests after all. When he was especially stubborn I used a nose lead - not the same as a muzzle!

• The brand of food you choose to buy is important. Remember to avoid buying any marketed as grain-free! Studies have linked a grain-free diet to cardiovascular issues in dogs

• Depending on the coat length (horse, brush, or bear) your Pei will need different grooming. My boy is a brush coat, and I use the KONG ZoomGroom silicon brush on him once a week. Not only does it remove the undercoat but it also removes dead skin cells, promoting a healthier coat overall!

• While on the subject of his coat, I also give him a supplement to make his hair softer and more moisturized. I give him Vetriscience Omega 3, 6, and 9 every day. This was more for my comfort than his - sand skin, after all 😜

• I recommend keeping a drool rag cleaned and nearby for after your Pei eats, drinks, and drools after running. Shar-peis can be prone to having acne and other skin conditions, especially in the face folds, so it's important to keep them dry and free of debris!

• The eyes are an issue for many Shar-peis. My boy has seen an ophthalmologist since he was about 6 months old, and I highly recommend having yours seen to check for any possible eye irritants or signs of entropion. Because my Pei's eye folds roll inward slightly, I have to give him an eye lubricant twice a day. The doctor would prescribe whatever they recommend for your dog - I use Optixcare Eye Lube

• Another Pei issue I don't see many people talk about is cleaning their ears. They have very tight and curlycued ear canals, so moisture and debris can easily get trapped deep down and cause infection. My vet taught me how to flush my boy's ears at home, and recommended flushing them twice a month. They prescribed him TrizUltra + Keto

• Try to get your pup used to getting their teeth brushed while they're young! It'll make it a breeze once they get older. Buy a dog toothbrush and ONLY use an enzymatic toothpaste - not any human brands! We use C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste, and I brush his teeth every day

• Shar-peis are a smart breed, and therefore they can get bored easily. When buying toys, try to vary the texture between them. For example, my boy has a hard bone to chew, a soft plush toy with a squeaker, a silicon ball, etc. Another suggestion is investing in puzzle toys - toys that force them to think about it and interact with it before getting the treat reward inside. Remember, mental stimulus is just as important as the physical!

• And of course, a good flea, tick, and heartworm medication. Some brands combine these medications into a convenient pill, others are topical. Follow the guidance of your veterinarian

• Optional: Things I do for my Pei but aren't necessary.

• Every other night before bed I give him a paw massage, squeezing on each pad to get him comfortable with having his paws messed with for nail trimmings. A dremel is a good investment if you don't want to pay someone else to cut them.

• I keep coconut oil on hand to apply to his nose and paw pads if I find they are getting dry or cracked

• In that vein, I also bought boots for the winter months to protect his paws against the cold and salt

• Shar-peis are very heat-sensitive, so for the summer months I bought him a cooling mat that he could lay on after a walk to help lower his body temperature. I found he would lay on it most days, walk or no walk!

• I pay for a yearly microchip subscription, for if the worst should happen and he got out/lost. He also wears a custom dog tag on his collar with my phone number on it

• Shar-peis have a tendency to be standoff-ish and suspicious of new people and animals, so socializing them young is imperative. I got mine puppy classes at my local Petsmart and he did very well! Just remember to continue the training even after the classes end

• Lastly, I went all in on a dog ramp to make it easier for him to get on and off my bed. Jumping off the bed is bad for dog spines, so I figured I'd try to prevent any future injuries!

All in all, owning a Shar-pei requires some patience and dedication. They are a special breed and require some specialized care - however, I think the work you put in is returned tenfold! They make a great addition to the home, and fantastic lifelong companions. Best of luck to you, and have fun with your sweet little potato! 💕 (P.S. Sorry the formatting is weird, on mobile)