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Height:
16–18 inches
Weight:
35–65 pounds
Lifespan:
8–12 years
Colors:
Black, fawn, lilac, cream, sand, red
Suitable for:
People who aren’t afraid of noisy breathing, itchy skin, and large vet bills
Temperament:
Affectionate, loyal & stubborn. Sometimes irritable and intolerant of children and other pets.
If you have a soft spot for wrinkly dogs, you might have come across the Bull-Pei. Created by crossing the rather wrinkly English Bulldog with the very wrinkly Chinese Shar Pei, the result is, unsurprisingly, extremely wrinkly. Although the Bull-Pei mix might sound like an adorable idea, the reality is a dog likely to suffer from myriad health conditions, thanks to the cocktail of genetic problems found in both parent breeds.
Keep reading to learn more about this problematic pooch.
What Is a Bull-Pei?
If you’ve found yourself wondering why you’ve never heard of the Bull-Pei breed, there’s a very good reason. As a cross, hybrid, or designer breed, the Bull-Pei is not officially recognized by any kennel clubs. While some breeders – both professional and hobbyists – may introduce different breeds to improve the health of their puppies, health cannot have been the intention of the minds behind this particular experiment.
Not only are both the English Bulldog and Shar-Pei predisposed to some pretty significant health problems, which we will discuss later on, but they also share some of the same issues, making it even more likely that their offspring will inherit defective genes.
The Bull-Pei tends to be smaller and more compact than the Shar-Pei; however, this can vary a lot between individual litters and dogs. They tend to be low energy, and, due to their physical characteristics, too much physical exertion can lead to overheating and respiratory distress, so they’re ideal if you’re after a dog with low exercise needs.
Bull-Pei Puppies
Ordinarily, the first step in looking for a puppy is to find a reputable breeder. However, knowingly breeding and selling puppies that will be plagued by health problems flies in the face of responsible breeding, so this may be something of a challenge.
It’s worth noting that many Bull-Pei adults and older pups often find themselves being rehomed or surrendered to animal shelters, so you may want to start your search there.
Because the Bull-Pei is marketed as a designer breed, rather than a crossbreed or the result of an unfortunate mismating, you’re likely to be paying in excess of $1000 for one of these poor creatures, and that’s before you bring them home. Most, if not all, Bull-Pei dogs are born with several health conditions that will need lifelong veterinary care, special diets, medication, and supplements, so you’ll want to take out a comprehensive insurance policy before you pick one up, or have a generously sized savings account.
Health Conditions of the Bull-Pei
You might occasionally hear people talk about getting “the best of both” in relation to crossbreeding, and sometimes, you might be fortunate enough to get just that. However, unless your breeder is using polygenic embryonic screening and in-vitro fertilization (trust us, they’re not), puppies are just as likely to inherit the worst of both, particularly when both parents possess similar mutations and inherited health problems.
In the case of the Bull-Pei, there is no clear health advantage to be gained by combining the genetics of the Bulldog and Shar-Pei, and we are likely to end up with a dog that is actually less healthy than the parents.
- Familial Shar Pei Fever
- Skin disease
- Pododermatitis
- Hypothyroidism
- Entropion
- Ectropion
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome
- Skin disease
- Pododermatitis
- Hypothyroidism
- Entropion
- Cherry eye
- Hip dysplasia
Both the Shar-Pei and Bulldog often suffer from entropion, a condition where the eyelids roll inwards, damaging the eyes. In many cases, this condition requires surgical correction, sometimes performed before the puppies have even left the breeder.
Because both parent breeds of the Bull-Pei share several similar health problems, their cross-breeding is more likely to amplify these issues than dilute them.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Bull Pei
Temperament is always difficult to predict; even more so when dealing with a crossbreed. Although much of a dog’s temperament and behavior is dictated by their early experiences and socialization, genetics do play a role.
Both the Bulldog and Shar-Pei are known to be loyal, attentive, and often stubborn dogs. The Shar-Pei, an ancient guarding breed, is stoic and often wary of strangers. They are more likely to become closely attached to one or two people rather than having a large circle of friends. If socialized well, they often tolerate other pets, but are not typically the most gregarious dogs.
Bulldogs tend to be more of a family pet, enjoying cuddles and fuss. Both breeds are famously headstrong and stubborn, so you will need to introduce clear boundaries and use consistent training from day one. Positive reinforcement and patience are essential.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡
As mentioned earlier, temperament can be very difficult to accurately predict, and very dependent on a pup’s first few months. It is worth bearing in mind that the Shar-Pei does have a reputation for being a little standoffish, even cantankerous at times, particularly if their skin and ears are playing up. Because of this, they may not do well in busy, noisy homes with small children.
The Bull-Pei is more likely to feel comfortable in a quiet household with a predictable routine.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Again, early socialization is key. In theory, any dog has the potential to fit in well with other pets, but the Bull-Pei is more likely to be drawn to their human family members than other animals. As neither the Shar-Pei nor the Bulldog has a particularly strong prey drive, it’s unlikely that they’ll be overly focused on chasing the family cat or other small pets; however, close supervision is always a must.
Things to Know When Owning a Bull-Pei
Whether you’re thinking about adopting a Bull-Pei or have one already, there are a few things you ought to know:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
As with any dog, your top priority should be to provide a high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet on a regular feeding schedule. For the Bull-Pei, look for foods with a focus on skin health, with a limited number of proteins and lots of omega-3 fatty acids. Grain-free isn’t essential, but look for foods that contain minimal by-products, meat meal, and filler ingredients. Both the Bulldog and Shar-Pei can gain weight readily, so always adjust the amount you feed your dog based on their age, growth, exercise levels, and body condition score.
Avoid offering your Bull Pei too many different types of meat. Because they are prone to skin issues, it’s better to expose them to a limited number of proteins, as this leaves more options if they develop a skin-related food allergy later on.
Consider introducing skin-friendly ingredients, supplements, and probiotics from as young as 6 months to help support your Bull-Pei’s skin, coat, joints, and immune system.
Exercise 🐕
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a problem inherent in the Bulldog. Combined with the insulating skin folds of the Shar-Pei, the resulting Bull-Pei is extremely prone to overexertion and heat stroke. This is one dog that shouldn’t be running around all day. Even a game of fetch can be too much for some. Be extra cautious in warm and humid conditions.
For the Bull-Pei, gentle strolls, puzzles, and games that keep their mind and body moving are preferable to marathons or agility classes.
Training 🦮
Training can be a bit challenging when it comes to the Bull-Pei. Both parent breeds tend towards the side of being stubborn and are not always very food-motivated. It’s important to be persistent and consistent when training these dogs – don’t give up, even if it feels like you’re not getting anywhere.
If treats aren’t working as an incentive, try to limit training to short sessions before meals. That way they’ll be more interested in food rewards.
Try to focus on the most important factors like recall, socialization, and commands like ‘stay ’ and ’ leave ’. It’s more important for your Bull-Pei to safely interact with other dogs and people than it is to be able to execute the perfect ‘sit’ or ‘rollover’.
Grooming ✂️
A short coat does not necessarily mean easy grooming, and that goes double for the Bull-Pei. They do tend to shed quite a lot, and keeping their skin and nails healthy can be time-consuming.
Both the Bulldog and Shar-Pei are known to suffer from problems with their nails and paw pads, so it’s a good idea to get them used to having their feet examined and nails trimmed from a young age.
Skin folds can be the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and yeast, so it’s important to keep every nook and cranny clean and dry. Baths may be needed occasionally, but cleaning wipes will be invaluable. Start using them when your puppy is young and make cleaning an enjoyable part of their routine.
Bull-Peis often get weepy, watery eyes. Using cleaning wipes and lubricating eye drops can improve comfort and reduce the risk of inflammation, infection, and ulcers.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been tempted to get yourself a Bull-Pei, you might be reconsidering things by now. Although the combination of Bulldog and Shar-Pei might sound adorable, the reality is fraught with problems.
Cross-breeding can be a great way to introduce healthier traits and reduce inbreeding, but it only works if the traits being introduced provide some sort of advantage, like breeding a long-nosed dog with a brachycephalic one, or a breed known for good cardiovascular health with one that has a high risk of heart disease.
Mixing two breeds with similar health problems is extremely unwise and likely to result in a generation of dogs that suffer from lifelong health problems. If you’re thinking about providing a home for a Bull-Pei, do so with your eyes wide open and good pet insurance.
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Featured Image Credit: David Charles Cottam, Shutterstock
