Chow Chow vs Chinese Shar-Pei

Not ones for being overly affectionate, these aren’t your average people-pleasing, one-of-the-pack dogs. Chows are generally quiet and naturally well-behaved.

Chow Chows are super clean, easy to potty train and won’t fill your place up with a strong dog smell—traits admired by everyone. Not only that, they’re low maintenance when it comes to exercise, which balances out their need for grooming. Also, these pups are ready to protect your space.

Chow Chows can take time to warm up to strangers. (They are often considered the cats of the dog world.) Their reserved natures and natural scowling expressions can sometimes be mistaken for signs of aggression. Things will go a lot smoother when introducing your pet to new people if you signal everything’s OK by making the first move and initiating the greetings, letting your dog follow your lead. If you start socializing and training your Chow Chow puppy early, they can make great family dogs and can even get along with other dogs in the home. That said, if you have cats, it’s best to find a dog more accepting of felines than the Chow Chow.

Wondering if Chows are a good fit for homes with kids and babies? This independent breed usually does best with older family members who understand that Chow Chows typically don’t enjoy being held or cuddled. So, in addition to training and socializing your Chow early, teach children to properly interact with dogs and handle them with care.

The Chinese Shar-Pei breed is loyal and committed to their family but can be wary around strangers, and they respond better to older children who understand how to play calmly with dogs. Because the Shar-Pei dog was bred for guarding livestock and hunting, they sometimes don’t enjoy sharing their home with cats or other dogs. It’s important to socialize your pup to numerous new people, situations and other animals early in life when they’re puppies to help them be used to guests as they grow up.