by Angie Pollock

Created on: August 02, 2009

The Shar-Poo is not a purebred dog breed but rather a hybrid or what some refer to as a "Designer Dog". The Shar-Poo is created from crossbreeding the Shar-Pei and Poodle dog breeds.

Hybrid Dog Breeds

A hybrid or designer dog is different from your typical "mutt". Most consider a mutt that which the ancestry is unknown while a hybrid has registered purebred ancestry and the lineage can be traced. The breeds used to create a hybrid are known and documented. A hybrid does not necessarily have 50/50 from two different purebred dog breeds. Some breeders develop their breeds from multi-generation crosses. The first generation should be 50/50 mix from the two purebreds that are being crossed.

Hybrids are not considered to be healthier than the pure breeds it was developed from. The hybrid can take on the genetic problems of the breeds from which it was developed. However, some of the genetic problems can be reduced by crossbreeding and some breeders state that the percentage of hybrid dogs with genetic health issues is lower because of the mixed genes. The underlying problem with hybrids is that buyers may not exactly know the temperament, physical characteristics, or health issues associated with a first generation hybrid.

Shar-Poo Hybrid

The Shar-Poo, also referred to as the Shar-Poo Terrier, crosses two very popular dog breeds - the Shar-Pei and the Poodle or Toy Poodle. This is a fairly new hybrid mix that hasn't seen the popularity of other hybrid breeds like the Labradoodle (Labrador/Poodle cross) or the Puggle (Pug/Beagle cross). Because very little is known about these crosses, one should look into the characteristics of both breeds before acquiring a Shar-Poo.

Crossing the Shar-Pei and Poodle has resulted in an adorable dog that has the curly-coat of the Poodle and the face-features of the Shar-Pei minus the wrinkles. Owners describe this breed as high-energy, intelligent, and family friendly. Finding a Shar-Poo is not an easy task and prices can vary. Since this hasn't been a popular cross-breed and isn't recognized by hybrid registries, the starting asking price averages $100.

The advantages of the Shar-Poo include not having to care for the wrinkles associated with the Shar-Pei's features and having a dog with the Poodle's adorable curls. These advantages can also be disadvantages since those wrinkles are what make the Shar-Pei a desirable breed and a Poodle's coat needs regular grooming. The Poodle's physical characteristics appear to be more prevalent in the Shar-Poo's appearance.

Hybrid Dog Breed Registry

There have been several registries created for those wanting to register their hybrid dogs. Currently, the Shar-Poo is not listed as a recognized hybrid breed by these registries. There are applications available for interested Shar-Poo owners to have their dogs listed and registered. These organizations include:

The National Hybrid Registry - http://www.nationalhybridregistry.com/index.htm

Designer Breed Registry - http://www.designerbreedregistry.com/

American Canine Hybrid Club - http://www.achclub.com/

Designer Dogs Kennel Club - http://www.ddkc.org/welcome.html

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