Prepare for unexpected vet bills
If you’re wondering why walking your Rus-A-Pei down the street brings about looks from strangers, it’s because your pup is a unique breed. In fact, your beloved Rus-A-Pei is a designer dog created through the breeding of a Chinese Shar-Pei and either a Jack Russell Terrier or a Parson Terrier. The Shar-Pei breed is typically one of protection and guarding, whereas Jack Russells are quick, independent, and can be quite stubborn. Therefore, you benefit from both defending and intelligent traits in your Rus-A-Pei. While including a Shar-Pei in the breeding process slows your wee pup down somewhat, they still require at least 60 to 90 minutes of exercise per day. As a result, you must have your finger on the pulse of fun activities. We’ve included a few you can add to your list below.
Rus-A-Peis are not large dogs, but they still require a medium-to-large yard for you to tire them out in with games such as Frisbee. If you find your dog is getting a little restless and wants you to play with them, Frisbee can help to satisfy their needs. All you need to play is a yard, a Frisbee, 30 minutes to spare, and a beautiful sunny day. You can then head outside with a Frisbee and begin the game. However, as the breed can be quite stubborn, it’s a good idea to make sure the area you’re playing in is fully fenced. Otherwise, they may decide they want to take the Frisbee anywhere else but back to you.
Obedience training is necessary for Rus-A-Pei dogs, especially given their dominant traits that shine through from both breeds. When not properly socialized and trained in their early years, they can be exceptionally stubborn, ignorant, aggressive to other dogs, and feature a high prey drive as well. While you may never be able to remove natural traits, obedience training can help you gain the control that your dog may have thought was theirs. While your pup may never be suitable for a multi-dog household, they can learn to control their behavior and know right from wrong. The best part is, your pooch will love the training experience which typically takes place in any weather over a period of six or eight weeks. Set aside one or two hours per week for training, which is moderate in price, and benefit from a more well-rounded dog.
Agility courses are an excellent way for your pampered pooch to burn off energy, especially when they need to learn to be more social with other animals and listen to their owner. However, there is more to agility courses than meets the eye. While they’re well-priced, only take an hour or two out of your week, and you can enjoy them on a sunny day, they also have a host of benefits for your dog. Agility courses can help to solve behavioral problems, improve your pup’s reliability off their leash, and build a better bond and communication between you and your dog. What’s more, you and your Rus-A-Pei will have so much fun.
If you don’t have time for adventures in the city to give your dog a bit of fun and excitement, then a brisk walk will suffice. Set aside an hour to complete the walk, choosing sparsely populated areas to make it a more efficient trip. All you will need is their harness or leash, and a doggy waste bag to clean up after them. Even a short walk will have your Rus-A-Pei believing they’re on the journey of a lifetime.
When dogs go for rides in the car, they feel like they're on the hunt. And, given the high prey drive of the Jack Russell, there's every reason to believe they will love going on driving adventures with you. Even if you're only dropping the kids off at school, they will enjoy the sensory overload on offer when they put their head near the window, looking at the sights and sniffing the breeze.
Your Rus-A-Pei will furever be grateful for the opportunity to spend time with you, learn new tips and tricks, and have fun by your side. While they are more likely to be a companion for you than another dog, that doesn’t make them any less rewarding to own. Set aside an hour or more per day for their exercise requirements and benefit from a well-rounded pup that wants nothing more than to be your loyal and protecting sidekick.