Cocker-Pei (Cocker Spaniel & Shar-Pei Mix): Info, Pictures, Care Guide & Facts

When a Shar-Pei is crossed with a Cocker Spaniel, the result is a medium-sized dog with a very distinctive set of physical features. A large, rounded snout, a wrinkled face that is a little more smoothed-out than the Shar Pei parents, and short and fuzzy or medium-length coats appear to be common characteristics, but a mixed breed’s appearance can vary greatly.

This mix is commonly referred to as a “Cocker-Pei”, though some sources use the term “Mini Hippo”, which we think is pretty fitting. In this guide, we’ll explore the Cocker-Pei’s parent breeds to learn more about this extraordinary mix and what to expect if you adopt one.

Breed Overview

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The color possibilities for Shar-Peis and Cocker Spaniels are so vast that really, anything could happen. Your Cocker-Pei may be solid-colored or a mix of two or three colors, and possible markings include mask, brindle, points, white, roan, and more. This diversity adds another layer of uniqueness to this mix.

They also vary in height and weight. While Cocker Spaniels are on the lighter side and weigh up to 30 pounds (though females are more around the 20–25 pound mark), Shar Peis can weigh up to 60 pounds (males). Therefore, the middle ground would be around 40 pounds, though there’s no way to know for sure until the dog has finished growing.

Cocker-Pei Characteristics

Cocker-Pei Puppies

There are breeders who specialize in “Mini Hippos”. That said, we would always encourage adoption over going this route. There are countless shelter puppies and dogs—including some very adorable and unique-looking mixed breeds—waiting for a home, so we urge you to consider looking into this option before you buy.

If you like Shar-Peis and/or Cocker Spaniels, you could try searching for something like “Shar-Pei (mix) for adoption” or “Cocker Spaniel (mix) for adoption” or reach out to rescue organizations to ask. You might not find a Mini Hippo specifically, but you could find someone else you fall in love with. If you’re determined to buy a Shar-Pei Cocker Spaniel puppy from a breeder, learn as much about that breeder as you possibly can to ensure they engage in ethical practices and have a solid reputation.

What’s more, note that Shar-Peis are short-snouted dogs, which means they’re at risk of suffering from breathing difficulties, and their wrinkly skin can get infected. Though these issues might not affect a Shar-Pei mix as much as they would a purebred, that’s not a guarantee. Speak to your vet, rescue organization, or a reputable breeder about these issues.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cocker-Pei

The most important thing to remember when it comes to discussing a dog’s temperament is that every dog is an individual—just because a dog is of a certain breed doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll “fit the bill” in terms of personality traits commonly associated with that breed.

For example, Shar-Peis are known for being very calm, dignified, and reserved around strangers but some may have a goofy personality and be very friendly with strangers. A good rule to go by is to get to know the dog before you make any judgments. However, it’s true that certain traits are commonly associated with certain breeds, and these generalizations come from what’s known about the breed’s history, what owners report, and what they were originally bred for.

In addition to being calm, Shar-Peis are famous for being independent yet devoted to their families. Cocker Spaniels are said to be sweet-natured, merry, playful, and fairly open toward strangers. It’s possible that your Mini Hippo will have a mix of these traits.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

When you bring a new dog home, it’s imperative to begin socializing and training them to ensure they get along well with the whole family and can approach social situations with confidence and calmness. If you do this, there’s absolutely no reason why a Shar-Pei Cocker Spaniel mix wouldn’t be a loving and gentle member of the family.

As well as teaching the dog how to be gentle and friendly, it’s crucial to teach children how to respectfully interact with the dog. These steps keep everyone safe and help your dog feel secure and loved, which is important for building those important bonds.

If you plan to adopt an adult dog, communicate with the rescue organization to make sure the dog would be a good fit for families with children. Some rescue dogs are better suited to adult-only families.

Does This Mix Get Along with Other Pets?

If a Cocker-Pei has been around other dogs and cats from an early age, chances are they’ll get along well with them. Again, it all starts with socialization. Gradual, controlled introductions are also essential when bringing any new animal home. What’s more, harmonious cohabitation between animals can also depend on the individual animals’ personalities.

For adult adoptees, discuss the dog’s background with the rescue organization to ascertain whether they’d likely get along well in a home with other animals or would be better suited to being the only animal in the home.

Things to Know When Owning a Cocker-Pei:

Food & Diet Requirements

You can choose to feed your Cocker-Pei a wet food or dry food diet or go for a combination of both. It’s entirely up to you (unless your vet has recommended a specific kind of diet for medical reasons), but you should check that the formula you’ve chosen meets certain requirements.

Most importantly, it should be complete and balanced, which means it meets all your dog’s nutritional needs. If you’re in the United States, you can look for an AAFCO label, which means it meets the stringent requirements to be considered complete and balanced.

In addition, your chosen recipe should target your dog’s age range (puppy, adult, etc.), and you’ll want to check the ingredients to ensure it doesn’t contain any ingredients your dog is allergic to. When it comes to how much to feed, check the label on the packaging and weigh out portions accordingly. These guidelines are in place to help prevent obesity, which can cause other serious health conditions if not addressed.

Exercise

Shar-Peis are dogs with moderate energy levels, whereas Cocker Spaniels are known for being a little more effervescent. Regardless, individual dogs have individual needs. You can exercise your Cocker-Pei with two or three daily walks, but you can also play games like fetch and let them play with other dogs to supplement these walks.

Be careful when exercising your Cocker-Pei during the summer months. Shar-Peis are prone to overheating, so make sure your mix stays hydrated, doesn’t exercise too strenuously, and has plenty of opportunities to cool off.

Training

While Cocker Spaniels are said to be people-pleasers when it comes to training, Shar-Peis are reputed to be willing but stubborn at times, though they typically respond well to positive reinforcement and a patient approach.

Whatever your Cocker-Pei’s personality, start with the basics and reinforce them regularly, even when the dog knows them well. Avoid getting frustrated when things don’t go to plan—these things don’t happen overnight. Calmness, consistency, and a positive attitude will make things work, even if it takes a bit of time. Consider signing your pup up for obedience classes for a good head start.

Grooming

Shar-Peis don’t require much grooming thanks to their short coats, but Cocker Spaniels have long coats prone to tangling. If your Cocker-Pei has longer hair, they’ll need to be combed regularly throughout the entire coat. Pick apart knots with your fingers rather than yanking a comb through, and take special care around the ears as this is a sensitive area on Cocker Spaniels that can be injured if brushed too hard.

In addition, you’ll need to keep your Cocker-Pei’s nails short to prevent the feet from getting sore and inspect the ears regularly for dirt buildup. Remove this with a dog-safe ear-cleaning solution if need be.

Health and Conditions

You might have heard that mixed-breed dogs are healthier, but research has shown that while pure breeds are at greater risk of several hereditary disorders, both pure and mixed-breed dogs are at equal risk of developing certain other conditions. We’ll list some of these below.

In addition—and more to the point—Shar-Peis are brachycephalic because they have short snouts, and this causes breathing difficulties and makes them sensitive to heat. They can also suffer from skin infections due to bacterial buildup in their folds.

Your Cocker-Pei may inherit some of these issues, though it’s possible that they’ll be milder in a mixed breed. However, it’s hard to predict exactly which traits mixed breeds will inherit and how severe they will be. Again, we’d strongly urge discussing this with an expert.

Male vs Female

Male dogs are typically taller and heavier than females. Apart from this and the obvious physical differences related to the reproductive system, there aren’t really many noticeable differences between males and females. It all comes down to the individual dog’s personality.

As for the issue of reproduction, we’d urge you to speak to your vet about getting your Cocker-Pei neutered or spayed when they’re old enough. Male dogs can become harder to manage when they’re not neutered for hormonal reasons, and possibilities include fighting with other dogs, roaming, mounting, and general territorial behavior.

Females can also become more challenging when they’re in heat. Common behaviors associated with the heat cycle include urinating frequently, restlessness, becoming extra clingy, and agitation. Vulval swelling and bleeding are also normal during this time.

4 Little-Known Facts About the Cocker-Pei

1. The Shar-Pei Is an Ancient Breed

The Shar-Pei was developed in southern China over 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty. They were bred as farm dogs to herd and guard but were also valued for their hunting skills.

2. “Cocker” Has a Special Meaning

The “cocker” portion of the breed name “Cocker Spaniel” is a reference to the breed’s history as a woodcock hunter. Easier to guess, “spaniel” refers to Spain, where spaniel-type dogs are thought to have first come from.

3. Shar-Peis Have Blue-Black Tongues

Blue-black tongues are very uncommon in dogs, so uncommon that only two breeds display this trait: the Shar Pei and the Chow Chow, another ancient Chinese breed.

4. The Cocker Spaniel One of Britain’s Most Popular Breeds

Statistics from 2022 rank the Cocker Spaniel as the third leading dog breed in the U.K. These statistics were compiled based on how many dogs of 20 breeds were registered in 2022. Ahead of the Cocker Spaniel were French Bulldogs (second place) and Labrador Retrievers (first place). In the U.S., the Cocker Spaniel is ranked at number 29 out of 200 on the AKC’s breed popularity ranking.

Final Thoughts

The Shar-Pei-Cocker Spaniel combination is incredibly unique and, with care and attention on your part, is sure to be a wonderful family companion. That said, because of the health issues linked to Shar Peis (breathing issues and wrinkly skin that can get infected), it’s essential to discuss this fully with the organization or breeder your dog comes from.

Featured Image Credit: Left – Liliya Kulianionak, Shutterstock | Right – Kajetan Sumila, Unsplash

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