In folklore, the story of how the Pekingese came to be goes something like this: A lion fell in love with a marmoset and wanted to marry her. Unfortunately, their difference in size was too great. In order to marry his true love, the lion begged Buddha (in some versions it was the Patron Saint of Animals) to reduce him to the size of a pygmy, while allowing him to retain his character, including his great lion heart. The offspring of this union was said to be the first Pekingese, the Lion Dog of China.
American Kennel Club group: Toy Group.
Original function: Lap dog, palace guards
Overall appearance: A well-balanced and compact, muscular body that is low to the ground with noticeably bowed legs; a large, broad head and a flat, short face with large round eyes. The coat forms a mane at the neck and shoulders, giving the dog a lion-like appearance.
Coat: Pekingese have a double coat consisting of a long coarse outer coat and a soft undercoat. The coat forms a mane on the neck and shoulder areas and is somewhat shorter in length on the remainder of the body. Modern Pekingese feature two styles of coats, the long-haired and the more traditional Spaniel-type coat.
Color: According to the AKC breed standard, all colors and patterns are allowable, although most Pekes are gold, red, or sable. Cream, black, white, black and tan, and occasionally slate blue colors are also seen in the breed.
Height: Approximately 6 to 9 inches at the withers (point of shoulder).
Weight: Not to exceed 14 pounds.
Average lifespan: 13 to 15 years.
The Pekingese, named for the ancient city of Peking, is one of the oldest dog breeds. The breed originated in Western China and owes its existence to the Lamaist form of Buddhism, in which the lion was an exalted religious symbol. When China adopted Buddhism, the small dogs that served as companions to the monks were carefully bred to accentuate the characteristics of a miniature lion. The monks were so successful in doing this, that eventually these little lion dogs became a sacred religious symbol and were bred exclusively for the Imperial family. The smallest of the Pekes were sometimes carried around inside of the huge sleeves of the Imperial robes, earning them the name Sleeve Pekingese.
Pekingese were introduced to Europe as a result of war. When the British overtook the Chinese Imperial Palace in 1860, they returned to England with several of the dogs. Lap dogs were considered a symbol of wealth and status at the time, so the demand for the little dogs grew quickly. Pekingese were first introduced to America in the late 1800s and still remain one of the most popular Toy breeds in the United States today.
Like lions, Pekingese are courageous, dignified, and devoted to their family. They can be calm, playful and affectionate, and also willful, stubborn and reserved. This breed does not respond well to being scolded or handled roughly. However, once you have earned their love and respect, these little dogs usually turn into wonderful, well-mannered companions even without the benefit of formalized training.
Pekingese shed a lot. Their long undercoat will also mat unless combed for a few minutes at least a couple of times a week. To make grooming easier, many owners keep their Pekes in a lion clip for at least some (if not all) of the year. With this type of clip, most of the fur on the body and legs is shaved short, leaving only a tuft of fur on the tip of the tail and paws and a long lion's mane around the head and neck. This makes maintaining the coat much easier and also keeps the dogs more comfortable during warmer weather. Other routine grooming tasks include keeping their nails trimmed, teeth cleaned, and the folds of skin over the nose clean and dry.
Pekingese don't require a lot of exercise, but like all dogs, they benefit from the mental and social stimulation provided by short daily walks. They are relatively calm and inactive while indoors, with occasional outbursts of intense play. Because Pekes originated from the frostier regions of China they tolerate cold extremely well, but not heat. Care must be taken to prevent them from overheating, especially during warm weather.
Although Pekingese are typically considered a vigorous, healthy breed, they are still prone to certain health problems, including brachycephalic syndrome, dry eye, and patellar luxation.
As with all short-muzzled breeds, any issues with the nose (ease of breathing) and eyes should be monitored carefully.
Source: American Kennel Club; The Pekingese Club of America
I heard from a friend that pekingese are very snappy. My roommate Aria is going to bring a pekingese named pepper to our apartment soon. Does anybody who owns one have any advice? Are they loud? Are they energetic? Are they rough?
Sabrina from VA
I had a male (unneutered) Pekingnese from the time he was 6 weeks old until he was 13, at which time he had to be put to sleep, much to my extreme sorrow. He was a perfect little gentleman - slow to respond to strangers but, once he knew you, he loved you. I gave him stuffed toys and other small toys to chew on and play with - loved to ride small beach balls!
I have been around several peks thru the yrs. My experience is that they are not at all loud, energy level is dependent on Pepper's age but sedate compared to say, a Jack Russell, and I agree that it will only be snappy if raised or allowed to be that way. Peks are usually very loving - unfortunately most small dogs get bad press for being snappish. When introduced to Pepper, offer him your hand to sniff, scratch UNDER the chin, never reach out over the head of this or any strange dog - that's a sign of dominance/aggression. You'll earn a friend by giving Pepper time to get to know you, just like you need time to love him. Good luck! bbb
I have a seven year old pekingese, Sugar. My three children says she is my only child. She is our darling. She barks at cats, they drive her crazy walking across our yard. She loves to sit beside me and look out the window. She has a brass bed setting in front of the window and a velvet pillow she sits on like the Queen she is!! She is a very loving dog and friendly. ""
Google "Pekingnese" or try www.petfinder.com for info
My stepmother has a female pek. She is the sweetest thing in the world and loved me from the first time I met her. They are very playful and smart. She would wait till my stepmother got thru waxing the floor every week and take off from the living room and start sliding once she hit the kitchen floor till she hit a wall, go back and start again. We have poodles and a shih zsu and I thought the same thing especially poodles but they are extremely loving and sweet animals. Its all in how you treat them.
I have a female peke that is 15 years old. She is the boss of us all. lol
She is one of the most loving dogs I've ever been around.
I also agree it's the way they are raised as to how they act. We had a chow that loved everybody, but she was raised that way. My peke is so old now she does'nt see or hear well but she still gives love and kisses. You will most likely fall in love with Pepper and want a peke of your own. lol
I wish you joy with Pepper.
Well I am taking care of a pekingnese for a friend, his name is pogi and he is a absolute total darling! He is playful,but he never bites hard. When he sleeps he snores in his sleep which is sooo cute!!! He is just a total gentlemen and not tempermental at all. He's a laid back kind of guy.
I had a Pekingnese from he was a pup till he was 9. he wasn't neutered. We had to put him down due to the vets wrong examination mistaking heart disease and hypertension pulminary disease for allergies...so it went undiscovered. BUt up until his sudden illness he was the best...waited for you by the door. He also was there everyday and when I would say "Ok Bandit I'm home, what do you want" he would roll right over. Also he trained himself to go the bathroom in the bathtub...no matter where he was he went to find one if he had to go...also he would be by your side if he sensed you were sick or sad. We put him to sleep last week, because the pain was to much and we loved him very much
This is a pic of my 10 month old nephew Aidan and my 6 yr old Pekingese, Charlie. This was my first time babysitting my nephew. Charlie was fascinated w/Aidan and had to be wherever he was.
Ginger is 3 lovely years. She is a Pekingese, she's so perfect! She was adopted from the Myrtle Beach Shelter. She was 9 months old at the time.
PJ (Princess Jr.) is a Pekingese that is 3 years young. I had just lost my dog Princess Sr. after having her for 15 years. I was so sad when my hubby got little PJ to try and bring my other Pekingese Tafyy (13 years old) out of some sadness.
Pugsley is a 10 year old pekingese. My sister-in-law gave him to us 4 years ago. He likes to play ball with kids. He is very good with children and funny.
Fluffy is a 7 year old Pekingese. A friend gave him to me. He likes to run after a ball. He's so fluffy!
This is a picture of our dog, Buttercup. She loves Dressing up and showing off! She especially loves it when the kids dress her in baby clothes!
