common problem caused by irresponsible breeding is a hereditary and painful eye condition, entropion, which turns the eyelashes inward, thus irritating the eye. Untreated, it can cause blindness. This condition can be fixed by surgery (”tacking” the eyelids up so they won’t roll onto the eyeball for puppies or surgicaly removing extra skin in adolescent and older Shar Peis). Allergy-induced skin infections can be a problem in this breed caused by poorly selected breeding stock. One of the serious problems that a Shar Pei can have is Shar Pei fever. The disease causes short fevers lasting up to 24 hours, after which there may be no recurrence; alternatively they may recur at more frequent intervals, becoming more serious. There is also a possibly related disease called amyloidosis, caused by unprocessed amyloid proteins depositing in the organs and most often in the kidneys or liver leading to renal failure. At this time there is no test for either of these diseases and they seem to be prevalent.

Recently, dry foods have been formulated that are specifically made for breeds, such as Chinese Shar Peis, that are prone to skin allergies or sores. Shar Peis, whose food intake is restricted to these allergy-free dry foods and an antihistamine or two daily, will enjoy much healthier lives– with little or no skin irritation, itching or sores common to the breed.