Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison

Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed ComparisonBoth Tibetan Kyi Apso and Chinese Shar Pei are originated from China. Tibetan Kyi Apso may grow 15 cm / 6 inches higher than Chinese Shar Pei. Tibetan Kyi Apso may weigh 20 kg / 45 pounds more than Chinese Shar Pei. Tibetan Kyi Apso may live 3 years more than Chinese Shar Pei. Both Tibetan Kyi Apso and Chinese Shar Pei has same litter size. Both Tibetan Kyi Apso and Chinese Shar Pei requires Moderate maintenance.

History

tibetan kyi apso - historyThe Tibetan Kyi Apso is an ancient rare breed. In fact, it is one of the rarest breeds on earth. Coming from Tibet, the Kyi Apso guarded livestock and homes for the nomads of the “rooftop of the world”. Apso means bearded and Kyi meand dog thus the Kyi Apso is a bearded dog.

This breed is very intelligent with a great personality and charm. In Western countries the breed is called Apso Do-Kyi or the Tibetan Collie. The first time these dogs are mentioned in any kind of documents was the late 19th and early 20th centuries in writings about Central Asian dogs. The Kyi Apso is related to the Tibetan Mastiff.

The breed is known to have been imported by Captain George Augustus Graham as a Tibetan wolf dog. The dog was also known to be owned by the 13th Dali Lama. There have not been many exported to Europe or North America, with the first coming to North America in the 1970’s.

There have been no registered litters since 2000 and the Tibetan Kyi Apso Club closed in 1999.

chinese shar pei - historyThe Chinese Shar-Pei is originally from Canton, China. The Shar-Pei has a blue-black tongue and many deep wrinkles. They have more wrinkles as a puppy than the adult dogs do. They are one of the rarest breeds in the world and are considered a basal breed – meaning their existence predates modern canines. Most canines are related to the gray wolf through genetic admixture. However, there are breeds like the Siberian Husky, the Greenland Dog, Finnish Spitz and the Shar Pei are all related to the Taymyr Wolk of North Asia through admixture. The Shar Pei is found throughout the centuries in Chinese artwork, especially found during the Han Dynasty, and are considered one of the most ancient of breeds on earth today. In this period, they were fighting dogs then became beloved pets. Today the Tibetans still use them as fighting dogs.

Following the Communist Revolution, the Char Pei was almost extinct until Margo Law saved the breed. During this time, they smuggled around 200 dogs into the United States. All the dogs in the United States today come from those 200 dogs. They were accepted in 1992 into the AKC. The dogs served as trackers, hunters, ratters, guard dogs and herders.

Description

Description

tibetan kyi apso puppy - descriptionThe Tibetan Kyi Apso is a large dog with a bearded face, full coat and curled tail. They have longer hair than the Mastiff and of course the shaggy, bearded muzzle. It is not as hefty as the Mastiff of course, and he is more athletic. Like many primitive dogs before them, the Kyi Apso comes into heat only one time a year, contributing to the rareness of the breed.

With their bearded face, the breed’s head appears bigger than it is. The ears are shaped as a V and skull is flat with the eyes on the outside of it. Their muzzle looks larger than it is due to the beard. Nose and lips are black, eyes are amber and almond shaped.

The coat is double, sheds odors and molts once a year. The coat can be black and tan, shades of red, blue-gray with white and solid black.

chinese shar pei puppy - descriptionThe Chines Sar Pei has what if known as a Horse-coat which is prickly, harsh, and rough to the touch on one direction and rough to touch on the other. Western Shar Peis can be Horse, Bearcoat and Brush. The Brush is longer and smoother while the Bear coat is rare and in-between the two. The Bearcoat is not accepted by the AKC while the other two types of coats are.

The Shar Pei should have a hippo shaped head, a black-purple tongue, black mouth, deep set almond shaped dark eyes, small ears and red coats. His profile is square, and his muzzle is full and wide. Most Shar Peis only have facial and neck wrinkles left as adults.

Characteristics

1Children friendliness - under the right circumstances never sneak up on them

2.Special talents - exceptional agility and fast starts

3.Adaptability – large dog not good for apartment life. Need large yard

4.Learning ability – intelligent and trainable but stubborn.

chinese shar pei dog - characteristicsThe Shar Pei must be socialized early to other people, children and animals if he is to be friendly with them. He is loyal to his people and instinctively wary of strangers. He will be completed devoted to his people, but he is reserved and independent. They can be aggressive and territorial if not socialized. They are stubborn, loving and loyal. They are dominant, brave and playful. They are great watch dogs. Keep them busy because they tend to think a lot independently and if they don’t have a job they may create one.

Health Problems

Hip dysplasia: Can cause lameness and arthritis.

tibetan kyi apso puppies - health problemsBloat: Fatal unless treated immediately by a vet. Common to this size dog and can be controlled by eating habits.

Elbow dysplasia: Just like hip dysplasia can cause lameness and arthritis.

Other than these the Tibetan Kyi Apso is an ancient dog and very healthy as they were mostly isolated and did not interbreed. No genetic predetermined health problems.

chinese shar pei puppies - health problemsBecause of the rushed and inexperienced breeding programs in the United States due to the popularity of the breed, there are many health issues in the North American version of the Shar Pei. Their life expectancy is generally under ten years. They are prone to:

  • Familial Shar Pei Fever - congenital
  • Atopic Dermatitis – due to skin and coat conditions
  • Skin Infections – due to skin and coat conditions
  • Amyloidosis – Long term related to FSF
  • Entropion eye issues
  • Ear infections
  • Vitamin D deficiency hereditary

Caring The Pet

tibetan kyi apso dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy – grow quickly don’t overfeed. High quality large breed puppy food and feed 4 small meals a day.

2.Feeding the adult – don’t over feed and don’t feed right before or after exercise due to the possibility of bloat. Feed high quality adult large breed dog food 2 x day in smaller meals.

3.Points for Good Health – ancient breed generally healthy

4. Games and Exercises - enjoys running, luer chasing,

Feeding

chinese shar pei dogs - caringFeed a good quality dry dog food but do not overfeed. You should feed twice a day about one cup per six pounds for puppies. Adults should have two cups a day.

Health issues

• Familial Shar Pei Fever – congenital and serious. This produces fevers that can last from 24 hours to three days. Swelling around the ankles is due to fluid retention.

  • Atopic Dermatitis – due to skin and coat conditions hereditary
  • Skin Infections – due to skin and coat conditions hereditary
  • Amyloidosis – Long term related to FSF and leads to renal failure.

• Entropion eye issues – eyelashes curl in and inflame the eye. Can cause blindness if not treated. Requires surgery.

  • Ear infections – yeast infections – clean them often.
  • Vitamin D deficiency hereditary – causes swollen hocks syndrome and fever.

Exercise and games

Both as a puppy and an adult this is a pretty active dog. He needs at the very least to be walked every day or have a back yard to play in. They are sensitive to heat so bring them in when its really hot and don’t walk them in the heat. They love to play, are athletic and competitive. Try agility, tracking, rally and obedience trials.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Non sporting dog
Origin:
China
China
Height Male:
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
46 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
Height Female:
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
43 - 53 cm
16 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
40 - 45 kg
88 - 100 pounds
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
38 - 43 kg
83 - 95 pounds
16 - 24 kg
35 - 53 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 11 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 6
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Apso Do-Kyi Tibetan Collie
Shar-Pei, char pei
Colors Available:
Any coat color is permitted; Black and tan, golden, mahogany and chocolate are also found and are equally acceptable , and black and silver are the most common colors. Multi-colored coats (more than two colors) are also acceptable.In Tibet, black and gold,black with a white chest spot, white
cream, red, blue, black silver sables, black bronze sables, isabelle (silver shading on a dilute-colored dog), cream dilute, flower (white with either blue or black patche , apricot dilute, lilac, chocolate, five-point red, sables, chocolate dilute, black, red fawn, brown
Coat:
long and full erect tail
Horse-coat, Brush-coat and Bear-coat
Shedding:
Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Playful, Protective, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Responsive, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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