Typically, a Shar-Pei will give birth to puppies approximately 60 days after a successful mating. It's crucial to avoid breeding your Shar-Pei during her first heat cycle, as her body isn't fully developed yet. It's recommended to wait until her second heat cycle before breeding.
The gestation period for a Shar-Pei is about 60 days. Some Shar-Pei may deliver a few days earlier, while others may go a few days over. Around the 45th day of pregnancy, it’s best to take your Shar-Pei to the vet for an examination. This will help determine the number of puppies, their development, and their positioning. If the puppies are not positioned correctly, a C-section might be necessary to prevent complications. Before your Shar-Pei goes into labor, it’s important to prepare for whelping by gathering the necessary supplies to avoid a stressful situation.
Following successful mating, signs of pregnancy in your Shar-Pei usually begin to appear around the 4th to 5th week. Reddening of the nipples is often one of the earliest indicators of pregnancy. At this time, her abdomen and mammary glands will also start to enlarge. The manifestation of pregnancy symptoms varies among dogs. Most Shar-Pei will not exhibit noticeable pregnancy symptoms until the last three weeks of gestation. Pregnant Shar-Pei may become lethargic and less active.