The Pekingese is an ancient dog breed that originated in China more than 1,000 years ago. The dogs were highly prized and cherished by the Tang Dynasty’s imperial family. During the 1800s, five of the dogs were pilfered by British invaders and brought to England, where the breed became popular after the dogs were presented to Queen Victoria as a gift. The Pekingese made its debut in the British show ring in 1893. In 1906, the American Kennel Club recognized the Pekingese as a member of the toy group.
The Pekingese is a small dog breed with a heavy build that has lion-like features, thanks to its abundant coat. It has a soft, dense undercoat and a coarse, flat over coat. It has a bit of a mane and a wrinkly little nose. They coat needs regular attention and brushing. Its nose also needs to be cleaned daily to prevent infections.
Personality
The Pekingese may be a lap dog, but is very strong-willed and stubborn. It’s independent and does not easily show affection towards its family, even though it is a devoted companion. It has low exercise needs that can be met in the form of a short walk or indoor play. Its good with children but is not necessarily playful. It can be timid towards strangers but is friendly with other dogs.
Breed Characteristics
| Type: | Pure |
| Family: | Herders |
| Function: | Companion |
| Origin: | China |
| Preferred Climate: | Cold |
| Group: | Toy |
| Life Span: | 13-18 Years |
| Nicknames: | Peke, Peking lion dog, Lion Dog, Chinese Spaniel, Pelchie Dog, Peking Palasthund |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
Pekingese Build Information
The Pekingese tends to have a slightly long body and short legs for a compact appearance, but there is no standard height for this breed. Their weight is less than 14 pounds. Pekingese dogs are brachycephalic, meaning that their faces appear pushed in. A Pekingese’s thick, double coat is long and flowing. A mane forms around the shoulders, giving the little dog a mighty lion like appearance. The coat may be any color. The ears hang downward, and the plumed tail is carried upward to drape on top of the dog’s back. The Pekingese is a small dog breed with a heavy build that has lion-like features, thanks to its abundant coat. It has a soft, dense undercoat and a coarse, flat over coat. It has a bit of a mane and a wrinkly little nose. They coat needs regular attention and brushing. Its nose also needs to be cleaned daily to prevent infections.
| Size: | Toy |
| Length (Male): | 8-12 in. |
| Length (Female): | 8-10 in. |
| Weight: | < 14 lbs |
| Litter Size: | 1 – 3 Puppies |
| Tail Dock or Crop: | No |
Behaviour and Personality
The Pekingese may be tiny, but the dog is bold, courageous, confident and loyal. The Pekingese has versatile character traits. They make affectionate lapdogs and effective watchdogs. The Pekingese gets along with other pets. They can get along with children if they are raised with them, but they are not the best choice for a young child’s playmate. This breed makes an ideal candidate for becoming an agility athlete and therapy dog. The Pekingese is adaptable and is well suited for apartment life. The Pekingese can be stubborn and challenging to train at times. The Pekingese may be a lap dog, but is very strong-willed and stubborn. It’s independent and does not easily show affection towards its family, even though it is a devoted companion. It has low exercise needs that can be met in the form of a short walk or indoor play. Its good with children but is not necessarily playful. It can be timid towards strangers but is friendly with other dogs.
| Activity Level: | Moderately Active |
| Affection Level: | Very Affectionate |
| Aggressiveness Level: | Easy |
| Barking: | Noisy |
| Dominating or Submissive?: | Dominating |
| Energy Level: | Moderately Active |
| Good to Other Pets: | Friendly |
| Guardian Skills: | No |
| Independant: | No |
| Kid Friendliness: | Moderate Friendly |
Appearance
Pekingese coats require regular attention to grooming. Depending on the individual dog’s coat and lifestyle, brushing may be required weekly, every other day or daily to prevent matting. Many owners opt out of extensive grooming by enlisting a groomer to maintain their Pekingese with a shorter lion cut. A Pekingese’s ears need to be inspected each week for signs of debris, and they should be cleaned if necessary to prevent ear infections. The skin folds of the dog’s pushed in face should also be kept clean to prevent skin infections. Like all toy breeds, the teeth of a Pekingese must be brushed daily to prevent periodontal disease.
| Colors: | Black, Black & Tan, Black & White, Fawn, Liver, Off White, Red, Red-Black Brindle, Sable, Tan Brindle, White |
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | High Maintenance |
| Coat Type: | Dense |
Pekingese Common Health Conditions
The Pekingese lives a lengthy average lifespan of 14 to 18 years. There are a number of health problems to be aware of in this breed, however, including patellar luxation, intervertebral disc disease, brachycephalic airway syndrome, periodontal disease, progressive retinal atrophy, trichiasis, dry eye and glaucoma.
Pekingese Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The Pekingese originated in China. The Pekingese is also called a Peke or a Peking palasthund. The Pekingese is an assertive, confident, courageous and affectionate little companion. There is no specific height standard for the Pekingese, but the breed remains small at an average weight of less than 14 pounds. The Pekingese has a moderate energy level. The Pekingese requires extensive grooming. The average lifespan for a Pekingese is 14 to 18 years. For a toy breed with a confident and commanding air, the Pekingese makes an affectionate choice to warm your lap on chilly evenings.
| Training: | Easy |
| Hunting Companion: | No |
| Jolly for Jogging: | No |
| Sighting Capabilities: | No |
| Ideal for Tracking: | No |
| Retrieving Skills: | No |
| Pointing Breed: | No |
| Herding Skills: | No |
| Dutiful Watchdog: | Yes |
| Security Guard Capable: | No |
| Police Performer: | No |
| Wet Water rescues: | No |
| Assist Disable Owners: | No |
| Dog Sledding: | No |
| Able to Perform Dog Carting: | No |
| Agile/Zippy: | No |
| Fun with Lure Coursing: | No |
| Obedient: | No |
| Possible Schutzhund Work: | No |
| Trainable for Tricks: | No |
