chesapeake-bay-retriever-vs-chinese-shar-pei

Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Chinese Shar-Pei: Breeds Comparison

Trying to decide between the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Chinese Shar-Pei? Both of these dogs can be similar in some ways but are quite different in many others. Read on and find out which of these popular breeds is the perfect pup for your lifestyle!

Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.

Let's get busy...

While Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a member of the Sporting Group, Chinese Shar-Pei belongs to the group of Working Dogs.

Despite these breeds aren't members of the same breed groups, they have some similarities and not only differences so keep reading to learn more.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Chinese Shar-Pei Size Comparison

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are larger, with a typical height of 21 to 26 inches and weight of 55 to 80 pounds, while the typical height of Chinese Shar-Pei is 18 to 20 inches and they usually weigh 40 to 55 pounds.

We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.

The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Height Visualization Chinese Shar-Pei Height Visualization Average American Women Height Visualization Average American Men Height Visualization

Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chinese Shar-Pei, American female, and American male.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Chinese Shar-Pei lifespan

No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.

With a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers usually live longer than Chinese Shar-Peis.

Chinese Shar-Peis' lifespan is 8 to 12 years.

Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Chinese Shar-Pei compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Breed Name Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Breed photo is not available.

Chinese Shar-Pei Chinese Shar-Pei
Traits
Breed GroupSporting DogsWorking Dogs
Height21 to 26 inches18 to 20 inches
Weight55 to 80 pounds40 to 55 pounds
Life Span10 to 12 years8 to 12 years

Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Chinese Shar-Pei adaptability

When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.

All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...

Chinese Shar-Peis have a better reputation as good apartment living dogs than Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Chinese Shar-Peis tolerate being left alone.

To learn more, read our list of dogs that can be left alone.

Hot weather tolerance

Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever tolerates hot weather better than Chinese Shar-Pei.

During warm weather, be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.

Check our heatstroke article on prevention and symptoms to learn more.

What about cold weather?

Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.

Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever tolerates cold weather better than Chinese Shar-Pei.

Chinese Shar-Peis' fur is simply not designed for low temperatures, so you might consider getting them some kind of dog wear coat.

The best way to monitor dogs when it’s cold is to keep a close eye on their behavior. If you notice your dog shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws, it’s time to head inside.

Our "How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?" article has more information on this topic.

AdaptabilityChesapeake Bay RetrieverChinese Shar-Pei
Adapts Well To Apartment Living
Good For Novice Owners
Sensitivity Level
Tolerates Being Alone
Tolerates Cold Weather
Tolerates Hot Weather

Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Chinese Shar-Pei temperament

It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.

Looking for a perfect family dog?

While Chinese Shar-Pei might be a great family pet as well, we'd suggest to stick with Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Their outgoing and friendly personality makes them a great choice for families.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever are great companion dogs, and they are highly affectionate with family, so Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy will immediately become a family member.

When it comes to behavior around children, Chesapeake Bay Retriever simply tends to do better.

These breeds don't top the lists of kid-friendly breeds, but it doesn't mean they won't be a great with children. Unlike some breeds that are more gentle and patient with kids, they will probably require more time to get used to kids, but it absolutely possible.

We've created a list of the 15 best dogs for kids and family, so read it next if this is important for you.

Guarding behavior

Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Chinese Shar-Peis are naturally suspicious toward strangers, so you can expect they will act protective.

All-Around FriendlinessChesapeake Bay RetrieverChinese Shar-Pei
Affectionate With Family
Kid-Friendly
Dog Friendly
Friendly Toward Strangers

Health And Grooming Needs

The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.

Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.

Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.

For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.

What about shedding?

One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a full-fledged fur factory!

Chesapeake Bay Retriever shed less than Chinese Shar-Pei do, but don't forget - preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary.

Recommended article: 30 Small Hypoallergenic Dogs That Don’t Shed.

Drooling potential?

Hate drooling? Well, then you should probably skip Chesapeake Bay Retriever and choose Chinese Shar-Pei instead.

Health And Grooming NeedsChesapeake Bay RetrieverChinese Shar-Pei
Amount Of Shedding
Drooling Potential
Easy To Groom
General Health
Potential For Weight Gain
Size

Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Chinese Shar-Pei trainability

Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.

These breeds are both considered moderately difficult to train, meaning they are absolutely trainable, but novice owners should think twice about getting these dogs. Patience, persistence, and consistency play a huge role in successfully training your dog. If you think you aren't capable of training your dog on your own, you might also consider getting professional help.

TrainabilityChesapeake Bay RetrieverChinese Shar-Pei
Easy To Train
Intelligence
Potential For Mouthiness
Prey Drive
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Wanderlust Potential

Do Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Chinese Shar-Pei need a lot of physical activity?

To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.

Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have a high level of exercise needs, while Chinese Shar-Peis require a medium intensity of exercise.

Physical NeedsChesapeake Bay RetrieverChinese Shar-Pei
Energy Level
Intensity
Exercise Needs
Potential For Playfulness

Chesapeake Bay Retriever or Chinese Shar-Pei: The bottom line

In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Chinese Shar-Peis.

To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.

Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.

New Comparison: