small Breed Dogs
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Pekingese Dogs
Toy Breed Dogs
Small Breed Dogs












What you Must Know BEFORE Getting a Puppy

Forget about the normal list that everyone writes about..."puppy proof your home", "choose the right breed".  The information you must know, goes MUCH deeper than that.

This is insider information that no one talks about, the behind-the-scenes info you really must know before you make your choice...Read More
Average Weight:  14 pounds and under (6.35 kg)
 Average Height: 6-9  inches (15.24 - 22.86 cm)
Pronounced: pee-kuh-NEEZ
Group:  AKC Toy
Life Span: 15 Years
Average Litter: 3
Origin: China - Tang Dynasty

Appearance

Pekingese dogs have a heavy front and lighter hindquarters, the head is large in proportion to the body. This small dog has very large eye, shiny wide-set eyes.  Looking from the side, the face is flat.  The ears are interesting, as they are heart shaped and lie very flat against the head.  The nose is wide and short and is always black. All purebred Pekingese dogs have a wrinkle on their face, which separates the upper and lower areas.  The tail is carried over the back.  This dog has a double coat: a thick soft undercoat and a long outercoat.

Color

All coat colors and markings are considered of equal value. The colors of the Pekingese are: Biscuit, black, black & tan, cream, fawn, fawn sable, gray, gray sable, red, red sable, white, fawn brindle, red brindle and light red. 

Color Explanations
  • Brindle is a base color of red or tan with strong black stripes
  • Sable is dark tips on hairs of a different color.  For example, red sable would be a red base coat with black tips
  • Red - Of course, a red dog is not red as we know the color- red is a deep, dark orange (a rather rusty looking color)
  • White will be a pure white, if not the dog will be cream
No matter what the color the fur is, the skin (muzzle, nose, lips and eye rims - called the dog's pigmentation) are always black. 

Personality

Pekingese dogs combine the heritage of royalty, intelligence and self confidence. They are generally a very good nature, are relaxed and have calming personalities. They are very affectionate, preferring to sit upon their owner's laps instead of on the floor and will always come over when called for cuddles.   This breed is usually dubbed "Independent", however this does not mean that this small dog takes care of himself.  He simply is less prone to shadowing his owner or having Separation Anxiety when his master is gone from the home.

Origin & History

There are legends about Pekingese dogs and then there is the actual origin.  Legend brings us the story of a male lion who fell in love with a female marmoset (a tiny 8 inches [20 cm] tiny monkey).  In order to get married, the lion begged the patron saint of animals, Ah Chu, to make him as small in size as his lady love. Ah Chu granted his wish and that is how the Fu Lin (Lion Dog) of China was created.

In actuality, the Fu Lin (the ancestor of the Pekingese) can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty in 8th century China.  These were dogs of royalty and the upper class. Chinese Empress Tsu Hsi gave many Pekingese to influential and respected Americans, this is how the breed crossed over into the United States and began to fill the homes of loving owners.  The AKC recognized the breed in 1906.

Health

The short face of Pekingese dogs makes this a brachycephalic (short nosed) breed.  There are quite a few other breeds which are in this group also, including the Shih Tzu and Pug.  Due to the flat face, breathing problems can occur and eyes are susceptible to injury. Some issues can be:
  • Stenotic nares - this is commonly known as "pinched nostrils" in which the outside openings to the nose are too small and interfere with breathing. It should be noted that many puppies temporarily have this when teething and then after the teething phase, the nostrils widen out.  For this reason, an owner should not rush to have surgery performed, since nature often cures this.
  • Heat Sensitivity - This breed can have breathing issues when exercising or staying outside too long in very hot temperatures.  An owner must take care to limit walks and playtime when it is 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.66 C) or higher.
  • Elongated Palate - The palate is tissue which closes off the airway when a dog is swallowing.  Sometimes, this tissue grows too large and overlaps, interfering with eating and breathing.  Minor surgery can correct this.
Health issues that affect just about all small breed dogs also can affect Pekingese dogs: luxating patella, hip dysplasia, hypoglycemia and collasped trachea.

Exercise

You won't find yourself going for jogs with your small Pekingese.  This dog is certainly not lazy, but does not require or wish for long walks.  A short 20 minute walk each day will suffice.  When the weather becomes hot, some indoor play such as "Hide and Seek" can replace the walk.

Grooming

The coat should be groomed each week to prevent tangles (matting) in which small pieces of the twist and stick together.  If not dealt with, the matts can grow and grow. A bath, followed by a brushing and then combing of the damp coat will find any matts.  In many cases, one can be removed by covering your hands in dog fur conditioner and then working it out with your fingers.  In severe cases, the matt may need to be clipped off.

With Pekingese dogs, it is very important to properly care for the wrinkle on the face.  Each day, it should be looked at and cleaned.  If not, bacteria can quickly grow there, causing yeast infections or other health issues.  After wiping clean, the Pekingese's wrinkle should then be completely dried.

For pet Pekingese, the fur on the rear should be clipped very short for hygiene reasons. Show dogs do not have this done.

Care & Training

This small dog bonds with and is very affectionate to those who treat the dog well.  For this reason, proper training in everything from "Introduction to Home" to "Caring for a Senior Dog" should be enforced.  This breed will not listen well to training that is not consistent.   Any owner should also be knowledgeable in issues related to brachycephalic breeds.  Pekingese Owners - Click Here for More Detailed Information.
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