Do Shar-Pei like water? Can Shar-Peis swim? Do Shar-Pei feel the cold?
Introduction
It seems like Shar Peis have done everything. They were once guard dogs at temples in ancient China, they’ve worked on farms, they’ve competed in dogfighting, they’ve hunted small animals and some have even attacked wolves and leopards! But can Shar Peis swim? Let’s find out!
Are all dogs good swimmers?
You know the stereotype of all dogs being excellent swimmers. Is it true though? Contrary to popular belief, all dogs are not natural swimmers. Some dogs just can’t stay away from the water while some dogs run away at the sight of it. Dogs like Irish Water Spaniels, Spanish Water Dogs, Flat and Curly Coated Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Otterhounds and Lagotto Romagnolo are some of the best swimmers on the canine squad. On the other hand, you have dogs with round, stout bodies, flat faces, short snouts and short legs that couldn’t swim properly even if they wanted to. These dogs include French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Corgis, Dachshunds and of course, Pugs.
Can wolves swim?
Okay so some dog breeds have a hard time swimming, but what about their ancestors? Can wolves swim? Absolutely! All wolves are excellent swimmers and can make water a second home if they have to. In fact, wolves can even swim in icy cold waters!
Fun Fact: Wolves can swim super long distances in water, going as long as 8 miles if they have to!
Can Shar-Peis swim?
Let’s see what we’ve established so far. When it comes to swimming, your dog’s breed and anatomy matters and wolves are amazing swimmers. However, what’s really on your mind is can Shar Peis swim? Sadly, No. Shar Peis aren’t exactly “water children” in any way. The dogs’ anatomy, heavy folds, and facial structure get in the way of them floating and being good swimmers.
Even if they did have the body for it, it’s highly unlikely that Shar Peis would actually swim, because they’re the type of breed to run away at the sight (or sound!) of water. Unfortunately, their skin folds have a tendency to trap moisture. This could lead to infections, which can make things super uncomfy for your puppy!
Do Shar-Pei like water?
You could probably guess by now that no, Shar Peis do not like water. Shar Peis are like cats in this regard, where they’ll actively avoid any contact with water. This makes bathing your Shar Pei a tough task! Alongside bathing, Shar Peis don’t want any kind of water in their lives unless it’s going down their throats. So no splashy fun in the rain, no swimming, no running around in the sprinklers! Snow won’t be much of a problem though, so you have that.
It should be noted that this aversion to water isn’t just the Shar Peis being drama queens and has a reason. As mentioned earlier, moisture can get trapped in a Shar Pei’s skin and cause infections. The same goes for their small ears and paws. It’s likely that this hatred of water is a self preservation tactic for the regal breed.
However, there are always exceptions to this rule and some Shar Peis exist that love water and can be taught how to skin. This increases your responsibility as owner though. Make sure you dry off your Shar Pei completely after every swimming session and keep a check on any excessive itching or scratching as they could be signs of an infection.
Do Shar-Pei feel the cold?
As a matter of fact, Shar Peis enjoy cold weather! They have a likelihood of getting overheated easily, so cold weather is a relief to them. But not too cold though, slightly chilly weather works best for these cuties! If you have a bear coat Shar Pei, it will have a blast in the snow!
Final Thoughts
Another myth busted. Not all dogs are natural swimmers, some dogs are just not meant for it. By now you know the answer to can Shar Peis swim. It’s a big fat no in most cases. Even if your Shar Pei does swim, remember to dry it off completely to avoid any chances of infections. We hope this article gave you the info you needed! Thanks!
