Shar Pei Health: Eyelids, Ears, Fevers and a Short Median Lifespan
UK Shar Pei lived a median of 7.28 years in one records study, and almost one in five was treated for entropion each year. What else the records show.
Written by thecanineledger
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If your Shar Pei has a fever with swollen joints or a swollen muzzle, call your vet. These are signs of Shar Pei fever, described below.
Our note: This advice is ours.
A study of UK vet records found that “The median longevity of 190 Shar Pei that died during the study period was 7.28 years” (O’Neill et al., Canine Medicine and Genetics 2023). The authors also found that “Almost one fifth of Shar Pei receive veterinary care each year for entropion”, an eyelid that rolls inward.
While the Shar Pei’s folds are what draws many owners, the authors link several of the breed’s common problems to the same cause. This page sets out what the records show.
1. The study
The dogs. Researchers used VetCompass, a database of anonymised UK primary-care records. Of 455,557 dogs under care in 2013, 1,913 were Shar Pei, or 0.42%.
The data is from 2013. The paper was published in 2023, but the records are a decade older.
Funding. The work was supported by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and a pet insurer.
2. Why the folds matter
The Shar Pei’s thick, folded skin comes from hyaluronosis, a build-up of a substance in the skin called hyaluronic acid. The authors’ summary says this “has also been linked with several other health problems in the breed such as in-turned eyelids (entropion) and ear disease.”
3. What was most common
| Disorder | Share of Shar Pei in 2013 |
|---|---|
| Entropion | 17.88% |
| Outer ear infection | 16.36% |
| Other ear problems | 6.69% |
| Aggression | 5.23% |
| Skin infection | 4.29% |
By group, eye problems affected 22.27% of the dogs, skin problems 21.01% and ear problems 18.66%.
→ Entropion: When the Eyelid Rolls In, and Which Breeds Get It · → Ear Infections: Why They Keep Coming Back
4. Shar Pei fever
What it is. The paper describes “recurrent episodes of pyrexia without a clear inciting cause, and generally accompanied by swelling of the joints and muzzle”. Pyrexia is fever.
How common. “Shar Pei fever was the ninth most commonly diagnosed disorder, with a prevalence of 3.03%”.
The kidneys. The paper’s background notes that kidney amyloidosis, a build-up of deposits called amyloid, “is reported to occur at a younger age in Shar Pei than other dog breeds”. It describes the condition as progressive and fatal.
Our note: Ask your vet how to monitor Shar Pei fever and kidney risk.
5. How they died
Mostly euthanasia. Of 184 deaths with a method recorded, 85.33% involved euthanasia.
Causes. Where a cause was recorded, the most common were cancer, at 15.44%, kidney disorders, at 13.24%, and behavioural disorders, at 11.03%.
Our note: We read “behavioural disorders” as a cause of death to mean euthanasia for behaviour, such as aggression.
6. If you have, or want, a Shar Pei
- Watch the eyes from puppyhood for squinting, tears and discharge.
- Check the ears and skin folds often.
- Know the signs of Shar Pei fever, and tell your vet about every episode.
- Ask a breeder about eyelid surgery, fevers and kidney disease in related dogs.
Our note: These points are ours.
→ Choosing a Breed or a Mix: The Health Data Breeders Don’t Lead With · → Breed and Lifespan: What the UK Primary-Care Data Shows
7. What we could not verify
| Commonly said | What we found |
|---|---|
| “Shar Pei wrinkles are harmless” | No. The authors link the condition behind them to eyelid and ear disease. |
| “Shar Pei fever is rare” | Not in these records. It was the ninth most common diagnosis, at 3.03% in a year. |
| “Eyelid problems are rare in the breed” | No. Almost one in five was treated for entropion in a year. |
Sources
- O’Neill DG, Engdahl KS, Leach A, et al. Is it now time to iron out the wrinkles? Health of Shar Pei dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Canine Med Genet 2023: VetCompass study, 1,913 Shar Pei in 2013. Supported by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and a pet insurer
Always confirm with your vet before acting on anything on this page.