The Corgi Shar Pei is a medium-sized mixed-breed dog created by mixing the Pembroke Welsh Corgi with the Chinese Shar Pei. Coming from different parts of the world, the Corgi Shar Pei is one of the newer designer dogs that have come about in the last thirty years.
The Corgi Shar Pei mix may be a newer mix breed, but each of its parent breeds has been around for a long time, just in different parts of the world. The Welsh Corgi hails from Wales, whereas the Shar Pei is of Chinese origin. To learn more about the Corgi Shar Pei mix, we’ll explore their parent breeds’ history, temperaments and popularities, to see if the Shar Corgi could be your next family pet!
Corgi Shar Pei Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 20 – 40 pounds |
| Height: | 12 – 16 inches |
| Lifespan: | 9 – 13 years |
| Coat Colors: | Brown, black, white, or a combination thereof |
| Temperament: | Friendly, active, energetic, loyal, loving |
| Most Suitable For: | Families with or without children, single individuals. Not suitable for the elderly or those living in apartments. |
What Does a Corgi Shar Pei Mix Look Like?
The physical appearance of the Corgi Shar Pei can vary greatly. One of the key differences is the traditional size of the two breeds, meaning that your Corgi Shar Pei is likely to fall somewhere in the middle of the two, size-wise.
The Corgi Shar Pei is likely to inherit the shorter legs and elongated body of the Welsh Corgi, with the raised, fluffy tail of the Chinese Shar Pei. They will likely also resemble the Shar Pei in their eyes – almond-shaped – and their ears, which will likely be triangular and short, folding over at the front.
Your Corgi Shar Pei will likely have a wedge-shaped head, like the Shar Pei. The Chinese Shar-Pei can come in a variety of solid colors. Most commonly, they are either black, brown, or tan. Expect this solid color pattern to show up on your Corgi mix, with the white markings of the Corgi also appearing.
As with most designer dog breeds, their physical appearance can be difficult to predict – but it is sure to be some combination of their parent breeds.
Are you looking for a way to treat your furry friend? Sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win a free month of Barkbox!
The History of the Corgi Shar Pei Mix
As with most mixed breeds, the history of the Corgi Shar Pei mix is almost non-existent. Many mixed breeds commonly found in the United States did not appear until the 1990s or early 2000s. The same is true of the Corgi Shar Pei.
While we don’t know exactly when the Corgi Shar Pei was first bred, we do know that the breed likely appeared sometime in the 1990s or early 2000s. Let’s look at the history of both parent breeds – both ancient breeds in their own right – to see where the Corgi Shar Pei mix came from.
The History of the Shar Pei
The Chinese Shar Pei is an ancient breed with a history that dates back to the earliest days of China. The Han dynasty (202 B.C.E – 9 A.D.) is the first place one sees a historical record of a guard dog that resembled the Shar Pei.
Chinese Shar Pei’s were once incredibly popular breeds, mostly utilized as guard dogs of properties for both nobility and common folk alike. However, their numbers significantly dwindled following the Second World War and they were almost extinct by the 1970s.
In 1973, a business person in Hong Kong who owned a Shar Pei would appeal to the American Kennel Club to help save the breed by mixing Chinese breeds with various American dogs, like the Pitbull, Bull Terrier and American Bulldog. These mixes often result in the medium-sized dogs that you see today with folds of skin.
These folds of skin and thick, fluffy coats have made the Chinese Shar Pei a hit among Americans looking for a cuddle buddy. The Chinese Shar-Pei is typically a friendly dog that’s good with other animals and children – though their heavy-set frame can make them a challenging breed for those with younger children – so those with older children are preferred.
How Popular Are Shar Pei’s in the United States?
The Chinese Shar-Pei first arrived in the United States in the 1970s to save the breed from extinction. They were quite popular initially, being a new breed and renowned for their double coat type, friendly personality and loyalty, the Shar Pei is quite a popular dog in the United States, despite their late arrival.
In 2021, the Chinese Shar-Pei ranked as the 64th most popular dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club.
Who are Chinese Shar-Pei’s a Good Dog For?
Given that they’re a medium-sized dog that can be fairly heavy-set, they’re most certainly not a lap dog. Their size makes them unfortunately unsuitable for the elderly, or those who live in apartments. Their thick, muscular bodies do much better with a house & yard to run in.
Shar Pei is generally a good family dog but is better for those with larger children – as they sometimes are unaware of their size and strength. Their outgoing personalities make them excellent family pets for those looking for a moderately active companion.
How Did the Shar Pei Come About?
The Shar Pei was first bred in China – although its exact origins are disputed, it’s thought to date back to an ancient breed that was used during the Han Dynasty as a protector dog. However, the modern iteration of the Shar Pei began after the Chinese Shar-Pei was exported to the United States and crossed with a variety of different dogs – including American Bulldogs, Bull Terriers and Pitbulls.
When Did We First Cross-Breed The Shar Pei?
The initial crossbreeding of the Shar Pei was an attempt to save the breed from extinction in the 1970s. They were exported to America and crossbred with various American terrier-type dogs.
In the modern era, crossbreeding of the Shar Pei began in the 1990s and early 2000s, with breeders looking to capitalize on the friendly nature, silky coats and affable temperament that make the Shar Pei such a wonderful dog.
These crossbreeds include:
- Bull Terrier Shar Pei mix (Bull Shar Pei)
- English Mastiff Shar Pei mix (English Shar Pei)
- Basset Hound Shar Pei mix (Basset Shar Pei)
- Golden Retriever Shar Pei mix (Golden Pei)
- Shih Tzu Shar Pei mix (Shar Tzu)
The History of the Corgi
The Welsh Corgi’s history begins in the British Isles in the 12th century, when Flemish weavers brought their Corgis with them from Flanders (modern-day Belgium), and relocated to the Welsh countryside and the parish of Pembrokeshire, and the town of Pembroke.
The Welsh Corgi – more specifically, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was initially a herding breed, used to help the Flemish herd cattle like sheep. Over the years, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was replaced by stronger, larger herding dogs like the Border Collie and became a popular companion pet.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi became the favorite pet of Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother – the Queen receiving a Pembroke Welsh Corgi for her 18th birthday and owning more than thirty Welsh Corgis during her reign.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a cousin – the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, developed in the town of Cardigan, Carmarthenshire, Wales. While it’s unclear when the Cardigan Welsh Corgi came about, they were classified as the same breed as the Pembroke Welsh until 1925. Ten years later, the AKC recognized the breeds as two distinct breeds.
How Popular Are Corgis in the United States?
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi first arrived in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century and were almost immediately popular. This popularity dipped slightly throughout the century, but was reinvigorated with the popularity of Netflix’s “The Crown.”
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is also present on the American canine landscape, but isn’t as popular as their Pembroke Welsh counterparts.
In 2021, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi ranked as the 11th most popular dog in the United States. Meanwhile, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi was only the 67th most popular.
Who Are Corgis a Good Dog For?
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is well known for their friendly personality, calm nature, and a moderately energetic breed. This temperament makes them ideal for families and single individuals, including the elderly. Their elongated, compact body also makes them great dogs for apartment living.
However, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi does better with a house and yard to play in and live their best lives as family dogs.
How Did Corgis Come About?
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was originally a herding breed brought to Wales by Flemish weavers, who migrated to Wales from Flanders (modern-day Belgium) in the 12th century. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was originally a herding breed but steadily became a companion pet.
When Did We First Cross-Breed The Corgi?
The Welsh Corgi was likely crossbred for many years before records were kept. They are a very popular crossbreed in modern times, mostly due to their size and pleasant temperament. Consequently, there are many popular Corgi mixes. They include:
- Corgi Shiba Inu Mix (Corgi Inus)
- Labrador Corgi Mix (Corgidor)
- Boxer Corgi Mix (Borgi)
- Beagle Corgi Mix (Beagi)
- German Shepherd Corgi Mix (German Corgi)
- Poodle Corgi Mix (Corgipoo)
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
One of the most important parts of owning a dog is finding one that gels with your family and fits seamlessly into your family unit. Finding a dog that’s a good fit for your family unit will mean more play time and less training for your new pet.
Researching your prospective dog’s temperament is a great way to understand better what to expect when adopting or purchasing a new dog. Find a dog that matches your energy level, and activity levels and is friendly to your other pets and your children.
If you’re an active family, then ensuring you get a dog that’s equally as active is critical. Likewise, if you’re a homely family or individual, you don’t want to get a dog that’s going to need a large amount of physical activity.
Similarly, consider where you live when adopting or purchasing a dog. Do you live in a space where your dog is going to be comfortable, entertained and have enough space to move around?
What is the Temperament of the Corgi Shar Pei Mix?
Luckily for most owners, the Corgi Shar Pei are similarly temperamental dogs. With proper training to iron out any kinks, the Corgi Shar Pei mix is considered one of the most even-tempered dogs, adopting both of their parent breeds’ calm, friendly nature.
Is The Corgi Shar Pei Mix Friendly?
The Corgi Shar Pei mix adopts the friendly temperament of both of their parent breeds. You can expect your Corgi Shar Pei mix to be a very friendly dog! Though the Shar Pei is sometimes more suspicious with strangers, but generally warm up after some time.
Is The Corgi Shar Pei Mix Easy to Train?
While the Corgi Shar Pei can sometimes inherit the stubborn nature of the Corgi and the standoffishness of the Shar Pei, they are generally very obedient dogs.
Training should be done early during the life of a Corgi Shar Pei puppy, and positive reinforcement should be the preferred method to admonishment.
How Much Can A Corgi Shar Pei Mix Weigh?
The average weight of a Corgi Shar Pei mix is between 20 to 40 pounds.
How Tall Can A Corgi Shar Pei Mix Get?
The average height of a Corgi Shar Pei mix is between 12 and 16 inches tall.
Similar-Sized Breeds
There are a few similar-sized breeds to the Corgi Shar Pei mix. These include:
- Chow Chows
- Golden Retrievers
- Border Collie
- Basset Hound
- English Shepherd
Does the Corgi Shar Pei Mix Shed?
Unlike the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the Shar Pei does not have a double coat, so the coat type of the Corgi Shar Pei mix is a toss-up as to which coat type it will inherit. If it inherits the double coat of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, you can expect it to need extra brushing and to shed moderately year round.
However, if the Corgi Shar Pei inherits the single coat of the Shar Pei, it will still require coat grooming and different kinds of coat maintenance but won’t shed as much!
How Much Exercise Does A Corgi Shar Pei Mix Require?
The Corgi Shar Pei mix will most likely inherit the activity levels of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi – meaning it’ll require a moderate amount of exercise. About 30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise is optimal, along with play time that gives the Corgi Shar Pei mental stimulation, like games of fetch.
How Long Can a Corgi Shar Pei Mix Live?
The average life expectancy of a Corgi Shar Pei is between 9 and 13 years.
What Health Conditions Could the Corgi Shar Pei Mix Have?
- Familial Renal Amyloidosis (FRA) (Kidney problems)
- Hip dysplasia (Hip joint inflammation)
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) (Spinal disc compression)
How Can You Find a Corgi Shar Pei Mix Puppy For Sale?
Before you search for a Corgi Shar Pei mix puppy to buy, you should first consider adoption. Adopting a dog will help reduce the number of dogs in animal shelters and vet clinics waiting to find their forever home.
Beyond that, you can also search online at AdoptAPet.com, which allows you to search your local area for dogs that are up for adoption.
Suppose you’ve considered adoption and decided it’s not the correct path to dog ownership. In that case, we highly recommend that you read our article on finding and working with a reputable breeder and how to avoid puppy mills!
How Much Does a Corgi Shar Pei Mix Puppy Cost?
The average cost of a Corgi Shar Pei is between $600 and $1200 from a reputable breeder. The upfront cost of a puppy alone, without accounting for any other costs, is another reason to consider adoption first.
Is the Corgi Shar Pei Mix the Right Breed For You?
If you’ve been looking for a cute, cuddly, lovable, and loyal companion pet, then the Corgi Shar Pei might be the mix for you! Ideally, the Corgi Shar Pei would have a house and a yard to play in, with a spot on your couch (or maybe a large dog bed) to cuddle up in afterwards.
If, however, after reading through this guide, you’re convinced that the Corgi Shar Pei isn’t the breed for you, then be sure to read our other breed guides for other mixed-breed dogs that might be more suitable.
Nick Meagher
I'm Nick Meagher, a lifelong dog enthusiast and the voice behind this blog. Having grown up with dogs, I've developed a deep understanding and an unbreakable bond with these amazing companions. Through MyK9Life, I aim to share insights, tips, and heartwarming stories, celebrating the joy and journey of life with our four-legged friends.
