Ori Pei Care

An Ori-Pei, as a hybrid of a Pug and a Shar-Pei, is a small- to medium-sized, short-coated hybrid that's usually friendly and sometimes aloof and independent. Overall Ori-Pei care and maintenance will need to include daily exercise, along with some early training and socialization.

Below you'll find details on caring for an Ori-Pei including puppy development, exercise needs, and shedding/drooling tendencies. Get answers to your questions about raising an Ori-Pei in the following sections!

Ori-Pei exercise requirements are moderate overall. These hybrids are intelligent and (usually) active and social, so they'll need a variety of activities that both condition them physically (walking, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (games, canine sports).

The typical Ori-Pei adult, depending on its age and overall activity level, will need about 45 minutes of proper exercise each day. You can stat exercising your Ori-Pei puppy when it's 2½-3 months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the puppy grows.

Precautions with Ori-Pei exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're nine months old
• A leash is recommended when exercising in public
• Yards should be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
• Possible separation anxiety; exercises should be done together with people
• Can overheat easily; best not to exercise in sweltering temps

It's important to exercise your Ori-Pei every day. Without consistent activity, these normally good-tempered dogs can turn disobedient, destructive, and even aggressive--so regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind! A few Ori-Pei exercise ideas:

• Walking: Two 15-minute walks per day is a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: These hybrids usually love chasing a ball, stick, or Frisbee
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, an Ori-Pei will enjoy the company of other dogs
• Canine Sports: With training, these dogs can excel at obedience or agility trials and other events
• Hiking: excellent bonding activity; bonus if you can find a remote area where the dog can be off-leash

When indoors, give your Ori-Pei access to balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

These hybrids will need moderate maintenance overall. Ori-Pei shedding is fair, and can be seasonal (meaning the dog sheds more heavily during the twice-yearly shedding seasons). Drooling isn't really an issue.

Ori-Pei dogs have short-haired, smooth coats that can either be single- or double-layered. These hybrids don't shed too much overall, but Ori-Peis with double coats will shed more heavily when they blow their undercoats in the spring and fall. Owners can brush their Ori-Peis once or twice a week with a bristle brush to keep the shedding to a minimum, and cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--won't be needed very often. (Brushing and cleanup will obviously be required more often during shedding season for double-coated Ori-Peis.) If an Ori-Pei has a lot of wrinkles, owners will also need to clean those areas regularly to keep them from becoming infected and stinky.

And an Ori-Pei rarely drools. If your Ori-Pei is drooling excessively, it might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.