# Walrus
**Walrus** is an informal name for a dog, most specifically the **Ba-Shar**, a mixed breed resulting from the cross of the easygoing [Basset Hound](https://www.edgepedia.org/basset-hound) and the loyal [Chinese Shar-Pei](https://www.edgepedia.org/shar-pei).[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) The nickname also functions as a quick way to refer to a group of physical features, thick wrinkles on the face, sagging lips, a wide, flattened countenance, and a compact, sturdy build, that appear across several different breeds.[2](https://paws-tales.com/canine-science/walrus-dog-canine-science-explained)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Other names | Ba-Shar (Walrus Dog); the nickname is also applied to the Shar-Pei, English and French Bulldogs, Pug, Bullmastiff, and Basset Hound[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) • [2](https://paws-tales.com/canine-science/walrus-dog-canine-science-explained) |
| Cross | Basset Hound × Chinese Shar-Pei[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) |
| Size | Medium, typically 15-20 inches tall at the shoulder and 40-60 pounds[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) |
| Lifespan | 10-13 years[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) |
| Coat | Short, dense, and harsh; black, brown, white, fawn, and brindle occur[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) |
| Temperament | Energetic, playful, loyal, affectionate, alert; can be stubborn and independent[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) |
| Health watchpoints | Ear infections, hip dysplasia, and glaucoma; regular cleaning of face wrinkles[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) |
## The Ba-Shar cross
The Ba-Shar originated in the United States and inherits a blend of physical and temperamental traits from its parents.[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) Its most recognizable feature is the wrinkled face shared with the Shar-Pei parent.[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) The two parents carry the cross in different directions: the Shar-Pei stands taller at 18-20 inches on 45-60 pounds, while the Basset Hound's 40-65 pounds sits on legs just 12-15 inches high.[3](https://dogbreedcompass.com/compare/basset-hound-vs-chinese-shar-pei)
**Temperament.** Ba-Shars combine the Basset Hound's goofiness with the Shar-Pei's loyalty, making them entertaining companions and potentially good watchdogs.[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) Both parent breeds are independent rather than eager to please; trainability rates low (2/5) for each, described as a dog that learns commands but does not always feel compelled to use them.[3](https://dogbreedcompass.com/compare/basset-hound-vs-chinese-shar-pei) Early socialization and positive reinforcement are recommended for managing potential stubbornness.[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar)
The parents also differ socially. The Basset Hound rates very high (5/5) with kids, other dogs, and strangers, while the Shar-Pei rates moderate (3/5) with children and low (2/5) with other dogs and strangers, a reserved, one-household kind of dog.[3](https://dogbreedcompass.com/compare/basset-hound-vs-chinese-shar-pei) A Ba-Shar's sociability therefore depends on which parent it takes after.
## Care and health
Exercise needs are moderate, with daily walks, playtime, and mental stimulation needed to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) Grooming is low to moderate, consisting of regular brushing and cleaning of the face wrinkles.[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) Wrinkle care is closer to a health task than a cosmetic one, since trapped moisture in skin folds drives skin fold dermatitis, a condition both parent breeds share.[3](https://dogbreedcompass.com/compare/basset-hound-vs-chinese-shar-pei)
Potential inherited health concerns include ear infections, hip dysplasia, and glaucoma.[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) The Shar-Pei parent adds breed-specific risks including familial Shar-Pei fever and entropion, an eyelid disorder tied to its facial wrinkles.[3](https://dogbreedcompass.com/compare/basset-hound-vs-chinese-shar-pei) A Ba-Shar may also sniff frequently, as the Basset Hound has over 220 million smell receptors.[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar)
## The parent breeds
The Chinese Shar-Pei was formed in the southern provinces of China, where it was valued as a hunter, herder, guardian, and fighter, and it was recognized as a breed by the [American Kennel Club](https://www.edgepedia.org/american-kennel-club) in 1992.[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) • [4](https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chinese-shar-pei) The AKC lists the breed at 18-20 inches, 45-60 pounds, and a life expectancy of 8-12 years, with a loyal, independent, calm temperament.[4](https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chinese-shar-pei) The Basset Hound lives slightly longer, 10-12 years, and is the more first-time-owner-friendly of the two, rating high (4/5) against the Shar-Pei's low (2/5).[3](https://dogbreedcompass.com/compare/basset-hound-vs-chinese-shar-pei)
## The walrus nickname
The comparison has become shorthand for a look rather than a single breed. The breeds most commonly called walrus dogs include the Shar-Pei, Bulldog (English and French), Pug, Bullmastiff, and Basset Hound, and the Chinese Shar-Pei is described as the definitive walrus dog.[2](https://paws-tales.com/canine-science/walrus-dog-canine-science-explained) • [5](https://paws-tales.com/breed-profile/walrus-dog-breed-wrinkly-stocky-dogs) Wrinkle maintenance is a shared cost of the look, with roughly 10-15 minutes per day of fold cleaning cited for the Shar-Pei, English Bulldog, and Basset Hound.[5](https://paws-tales.com/breed-profile/walrus-dog-breed-wrinkly-stocky-dogs) Among these, only the Ba-Shar is an actual cross; the rest are purebred dogs whose heavy wrinkles, drooping lips, and stocky build earn the name.[1](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar) • [2](https://paws-tales.com/canine-science/walrus-dog-canine-science-explained)
## References
1. [Ba-Shar Dog Breed Information & Characteristics, DogTime](https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/ba-shar)
2. [Walrus Dog: The Science Behind the Look and Behavior, Paws&Tales](https://paws-tales.com/canine-science/walrus-dog-canine-science-explained)
3. [Basset Hound vs Chinese Shar-Pei: Which Suits Your Home?, Dog Breed Compass](https://dogbreedcompass.com/compare/basset-hound-vs-chinese-shar-pei)
4. [Chinese Shar-Pei Dog Breed Information, American Kennel Club](https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chinese-shar-pei)
5. [Walrus Dog Breed: 10 Wrinkly, Stocky Dogs That Look Like Walruses, Paws&Tales](https://paws-tales.com/breed-profile/walrus-dog-breed-wrinkly-stocky-dogs)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Life and health › Animals › Vertebrates › Mammals › Carnivorans › Domestic dog breeds*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license