Harvey the shar pei has so many wrinkles he looks like a blanket

Harvey is a shar pei, a breed known for their wrinkles
Harvey is a shar pei, a breed known for their wrinkles (Picture: @harvey.thesharpei/Splitpics UK)

Some pets are great at hiding, making you panic that you’ve lost them.

And Harvey the shar pei’s owners could be forgiven for thinking that several times a day as the pooch looks just like a bunched up blanket when he lies in certain positions. Teresa Moll Arguimbau, 22, from Menorca, Spain, posts pictures of her beloved pet on Instagram. Shar peis are known for their wrinkles, as over time breeders have focused on getting more and more. It does cause problems though as they can get skin infections and owners like Teresa have to rub moisturiser into the folds of their skin.

It can also lead to vision problems due to all the skin around the eyes.

Harvey, now six months old, was born into a litter of three. His two siblings had fewer wrinkles and now found new homes.

Teresa said: ‘I am completely crazy about his wrinkles and his skin. It is very soft, and the wrinkles are very beautiful.

Harvey could easily be mistaken for a blanket at first glance
Harvey could easily be mistaken for a blanket at first glance (Picture: @harvey.thesharpei/Splitpics UK)
Teresa with Harvey
Teresa and Harvey (Picture: @harvey.thesharpei/Splitpics UK)
Harvey
Harvey now lives with Teresa, her family and his mum Chloe (Picture: @harvey.thesharpei/Splitpics UK)
Harvey in a wash basket with sheets
He ended up having a lot more wrinkles than his siblings (Picture: @harvey.thesharpei/Splitpics UK)

Keep an Eye On Your Dog Around Water (Especially Pools). Not all dogs are great swimmers, and when it comes to pools they can be very dangerous for a dog. Keep an eye on your dog if they’re out in the yard by the pool and make sure your dog knows where the steps in & out of the pool are.

‘In fact, one of the things I like the most about Harvey is his wrinkles and giant double chin.’

All three puppies had staples soon after they were born to help them open their eyes and although his siblings Dona and Louis were fine, Harvey’s treatment did not work as well.

He ended up getting an infection and couldn’t see at all for five months. Slowly he started to be able to see things again but Teresa says he still struggles with one eye.

He lives with Teresa, her family and his mum Chloe, who still helps to look after him.
Harvey's face
His wrinkles need special care to prevent infections and skin problems (Picture: @harvey.thesharpei/Splitpics UK)
L-R - Louis, Dona and Harvey
L-R – Louis, Dona and Harvey (Picture: @harvey.thesharpei/Splitpics UK)
Teresa's dad Luis holds (L-R) Louis, Harvey and Dona
Teresa’s dad Luis holds (L-R) Louis, Harvey and Dona(Picture: @harvey.thesharpei/Splitpics UK)

Teresa said: ‘When he drinks water, he has all the water between his wrinkles and Chloe has to go and lick the water that falls from between the wrinkles.’

Sharing their story online, Teresa says it has helped her learn and share knowledge around looking after shar pei dogs.

Shown here - Harvey under a blanket
Harvey had eye problems but is now able to see much more (Picture: @harvey.thesharpei/Splitpics UK)
L-R Dona, Harvey and Louis
Dona, Harvey and Louis, the three siblings (Picture: @harvey.thesharpei/Splitpics UK)

Socialize your pet. This is especially important for puppies. Again – behavior problems are the number one reason dogs don’t stay with their families and don’t get adopted by new families. Lack of proper socialization can result in inappropriate fears, aggressive behavior, general timidity, and a host of other behavior problems that are difficult to extinguish once a dog is mature.

Teresa with Harvey.
Teresa posts pictures of Harvey on Instagram and has now found a whole community (Picture: @harvey.thesharpei/Splitpics UK)

She said: ‘The truth is that I did not expect this great affection from the people online, I have discovered a great digital community and family, with whom I talk a lot and interact almost every day.

‘Thanks to some of them I have been able to exchange a lot of advice, learn new things and above all be able to share Harvey’s day to day life with people.’

And despite attracting attention on the small island, Harvey just wants to enjoy the sunshine and adores playing in the sand at the beach.

You can follow @harvey.thesharpei on Instagram.

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