You’re walking through the local shelter or scrolling through a rescue group's page when you see it. A head that looks a little too big for its body, skin that seems three sizes too large, and a pair of ears that could pick up satellite radio. It’s a Shar Pei mix Chihuahua. Honestly, it's a combination that sounds like a mad scientist’s experiment gone wrong—or right, depending on your love for weirdly cute dogs. Most people call them "Kimolas" or "Sharhuahuas," though let's be real, those names are a bit of a mouthful.
This isn't your average designer dog. We aren't talking about Labradoodles here.
Crossing a Chinese Shar Pei with a Mexican Chihuahua creates a dog that is essentially a walking contradiction. You've got the ancient, stoic, medium-sized guardian of the East meeting the feisty, tiny, tech-pocket-sized companion of the West. It’s a genetic lottery. Sometimes you get the "Blue Suede Shoes" wrinkles of the Shar Pei on a 15-pound frame. Other times, you get a dog that looks like a Chihuahua wearing a velvet tracksuit. It’s unpredictable. That’s exactly why people are starting to pay attention to them.
The Reality of the Shar Pei Mix Chihuahua Temperament
If you think this dog is going to be a mellow lap warmer, you might be in for a shock. Chihuahuas are famous for having "Big Dog Energy." They don't know they're small. They’ll bark at a Great Dane without blinking. Now, mix that with the Shar Pei’s natural territorial instincts. Shar Peis were bred to hunt and guard. They are notoriously wary of strangers.
When these two worlds collide, you often end up with a dog that is intensely loyal to one person but suspicious of everyone else. It’s a "one-person dog" on steroids. If you’re looking for a social butterfly to take to the local brewery every Saturday, this might not be your best bet. They tend to be discerning. Aloof, even.
I’ve seen owners describe their Shar Pei mix Chihuahua as "a cat in a dog's body." They value their personal space. They aren't going to follow you into the bathroom every single time like a Golden Retriever would. They might just watch you from the hallway with a look that says, "I've got things handled here, go do your business."
Training is... interesting. "Stubborn" is a word that comes up a lot. Both parent breeds have a streak of independence. A Chihuahua might ignore you because it’s busy being spicy; a Shar Pei will ignore you because it simply doesn't see the point in what you're asking. You’ll need a lot of high-value treats. I’m talking boiled chicken or freeze-dried liver. Standard kibble won't cut it for these guys.
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Size and Physical Quirks
Size is anyone's guess. Genetics isn't a 50/50 split like a cocktail recipe. You could end up with a 12-pound dog or a 30-pounder. Usually, they land somewhere in the middle, around 18 to 22 pounds.
The coat is where things get wild. Shar Peis have that signature "sand skin" (that’s literally what the name means in Cantonese). It’s prickly. Chihuahuas have either smooth or long coats. Most mixes end up with a short, dense coat that feels slightly bristly to the touch. And the wrinkles? They usually show up on the forehead and around the shoulders. It gives them a permanent expression of mild concern, like they’re worried they left the stove on.
Health Issues Nobody Tells You About
We need to talk about the "hygiene" of those wrinkles. It's not just an aesthetic thing.
If your Shar Pei mix Chihuahua has deep folds, you are now a full-time skin janitor. Bacteria, yeast, and moisture love to hide in those crevices. If you don't wipe them out regularly—honestly, once a day isn't a bad idea—they can get stinky and infected. It's called skin fold pyoderma. It’s painful for the dog and expensive for your wallet.
Then there's the eyes. Shar Peis are prone to entropion, where the eyelid rolls inward and the lashes rub against the eyeball. It’s as miserable as it sounds. While the Chihuahua’s larger, slightly protruding eyes might balance this out, it can also create a new set of problems like luxating patellas (wobbly kneecaps).
- Hip Dysplasia: Not super common in small dogs, but since Shar Peis are prone to it, larger mixes might face it.
- Heart Issues: Chihuahuas often deal with mitral valve disease as they age.
- Shar Pei Fever: This is a serious, hereditary inflammatory condition. If your mix gets a random fever and swollen hocks (ankles), get to a vet immediately.
Don't skip the vet visits. Seriously. This isn't a "set it and forget it" kind of dog. Because they are a "mutt" or "designer cross," some people think they have "hybrid vigor." That’s a bit of a myth. They can actually inherit the worst health traits from both parents if the breeding wasn't careful.
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Living with a Sharhuahua: The Daily Grind
These dogs are surprisingly adaptable to apartment living. They aren't high-energy athletes. A couple of 20-minute walks a day usually satisfies them. However, they are mentally active. They like to watch. They are "window dogs." They’ll spend hours perched on the back of a sofa, monitoring the neighborhood for suspicious squirrels or delivery drivers.
Speaking of delivery drivers: the barking.
Chihuahuas are vocal. Shar Peis are quiet but have a deep, "whoof" bark when they mean business. A Shar Pei mix Chihuahua usually lands somewhere in the middle—a sharp, piercing bark that starts deep in the chest. You’ll want to work on "quiet" commands early. Like, day one.
Socialization is the hill you will die on with this breed. Because of the Shar Pei influence, they can become reactive or overly protective if they aren't exposed to different sights, sounds, and people during that critical 8-to-16-week window. Take them everywhere. Let them see the world, even if they just want to judge it from a distance.
Diet and Nutrition Needs
They can be prone to obesity. Those big Chihuahua eyes are very good at guilt-tripping you into sharing your popcorn. Don't do it. A heavy dog is a dog with joint pain.
Because Shar Peis can have sensitive stomachs and skin allergies, many owners find success with grain-free or limited-ingredient diets. Look for high-quality proteins. Avoid fillers like corn or soy, which can trigger those itchy skin flares. If you notice your dog licking their paws constantly, it's probably an allergy. It might be the grass, but it's usually the food.
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Is This the Right Dog for You?
Honestly? This mix isn't for everyone.
If you have toddlers who are going to pull on ears and tails, keep looking. The Shar Pei mix Chihuahua typically lacks the patience for "rough" love. They prefer a calm, predictable environment. They are great for single professionals, seniors who are still active, or couples without kids who want a loyal companion that doesn't require five miles of running a day.
You have to be okay with a dog that is a bit of a weirdo. They have big personalities. They are smart—sometimes too smart for their own good—and they will absolutely test your boundaries. If you tell them to stay off the couch, they might wait until you leave the room, then nap right on your pillow just to prove a point.
Finding One
Don't go to a pet store. Just don't. Most "designer" mixes in stores come from puppy mills where health testing is non-existent. Check Petfinder or local breed-specific rescues. Because they are such a unique-looking cross, they occasionally pop up in shelters when people realize they can't handle the "attitude" or the skin maintenance.
Adopting an adult is actually a great move here. By the time they are two or three years old, their personality is set. You’ll know exactly how much "Chihuahua sass" or "Shar Pei stoicism" you’re getting.
Actionable Steps for New Owners
- Buy a high-quality skin cleanser: Get something vet-approved for cleaning skin folds. Use it twice a week even if they look clean.
- Invest in a harness, not a collar: Both parent breeds can have respiratory or neck issues (tracheal collapse in Chihuahuas). A harness is much safer for walks.
- Start "Touch Training" immediately: Get them used to you touching their paws, ears, and mouth. This makes vet visits and grooming much less of a wrestling match.
- Find a "Job": Give them puzzle toys or snuffle mats. A bored Shar Pei mix is a destructive Shar Pei mix. They need to use their brains to burn off that mental "guard dog" energy.
- Check for "Fever": Learn what a normal temperature feels like for your dog. If their ears feel exceptionally hot or they seem lethargic, it could be a sign of breed-specific inflammation.