Shar Pei Dogs Available for Adoption in Blaine, Minnesota

Meet Moira 🐾

Moira is a 2-year-old Shar Pei who has already endured more pain and neglect in her short life than any dog ever should.

She was found as a stray and, heartbreakingly, never claimed. It was immediately clear that Moira had been suffering for a very long time. When she arrived, her body told the story of chronic neglect. She had severe skin, ear, and eye infections, was infested with roundworms, hookworms, and giardia, and still had stitches near her eyes that had never been removed from a procedure commonly performed on Shar Pei puppies.

Most painfully, Moira was suffering from Entropion — a condition common in Shar Peis where the eyelids roll inward, causing the eyelashes to painfully scrape against the eyes constantly. On top of that, she appeared to be experiencing what was likely Shar Pei Fever. Her rear legs were swollen, she struggled to move comfortably, and she was clearly exhausted, terrified, and in pain. Thankfully, animal control had already begun treatment as soon as she was picked up, giving her the first glimpse of relief she’d likely felt in a long time.

When Moira came into our care, we knew she needed more than medical treatment — she needed patience, safety, and time. For the first two weeks, we asked nothing of her. We let her decompress at her own pace while we built a medical plan to address every issue she was facing.

Slowly, Moira began to heal.

And underneath all the pain was a very classic Shar Pei personality waiting to emerge.

Moira is absolutely a Shar Pei through and through — independent, opinionated, intelligent, loyal, and very aware of exactly what she likes and doesn’t like. She is not the kind of dog who instantly loves everyone she meets, and honestly, that’s part of what makes earning her trust so special. She is a one-or-two-person kind of dog, which is incredibly typical for the breed. But once you are her person, she loves deeply.

Now that she finally feels safe, Moira has started discovering how to simply be a dog. She has recently begun playing with toys, seeking out affection, and wanting to spend time close to her people. Watching her learn joy has been one of the most rewarding things we’ve witnessed.

Moira seems to do well with other dogs, though we have not tested her with cats. Because of her personality and breed traits, she would do best in an adult-only home without children. She also truly needs a Shar Pei-experienced adopter who understands the breed’s unique medical and behavioral needs.

She is currently thriving on a prescription skin-support diet and is feeling better than ever.

Moira is not a beginner dog. She is not a social butterfly. She will not be everyone’s dog.

But for the right person — someone who understands the beauty of this deeply loyal and complex breed — Moira will be everything.

After everything she has endured, she deserves a home where she will finally be understood, respected, and loved for exactly who she is. ❤️

Adoption fee is $500
Adoption applications available at rpaw.org

The Shar Pei is a distinctive breed known for their deep wrinkles and blue black tongue. Originally from China, these medium sized dogs are loyal, independent, and protective of their families. Shar Peis have a unique appearance with a hippopotamus like face and a broad, padded muzzle. Their coat can be either horse coat or brush coat, coming in a variety of colors. While they can be aloof with strangers, Shar Peis are devoted companions with a calm demeanor, making them wonderful family pets.