Skip to content 
Pekingese Dog Breed Introduction
Pekingese( also Pekinese) is a toy dog breed originally from China created as a companion dog for the Chinese Imperial court. It is well-known for its distinct rolling gait that may have been intentionally developed through selective breeding to discourage the court dogs from wandering around. Pekingese dogs are well-known for their large eyes and flat face. It is slightly longer than tall when measured from the forechest to the rear. They are vulnerable to back injuries due to the long spines and short legs. These dogs made headlines in 1912 when one of the three surviving dogs in the sinking Titanic was a Pekingese.
Pekingese History | Origin
A Pekingese was bred in China. It is one of the oldest breeds believed to have been in existence for 2000 years. According to a Chinese Legend, these dogs were shrunk from a Lion by Buddha or became an enlarged version of Marmoset. Due to the fanciful origin myths, the true beginnings of a Pekingese are unknown. Most likely, they were selectively bred to a toy size from a larger dog by the Chinese emperors and their courtiers. Named for the capital city of Beijeng ( then Peking).
These dogs were companions to princes, nobles, and members of the Imperial family. The progenitors of these breed were closely guarded and not allowed to leave the palace. Stealing a Pekingese was a crime punishable by death. These dogs were unpopular to the west until 1860 during the Opium wars when the British troops invaded Peking.
Following the invasion, the British troops discovered five Pekingese dogs guarding the body of their mistress, an elderly aunt to the emperor who committed suicide than face capture. These dogs were taken to England where one was presented to Queen Victoria who named it Looty, two to the Duke and Duchess of Richmond and Gordon, and finally the last two to the Duchess of Wellington. These dogs remained rare until late 1890s when they first arrived in the USA. In 1906, Pekingese Dogs were registered by AKC.
Pekingese Lifespan
According to AKC, a Pekingese has a lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Although, some have a lifespan of 15 years.
Pekingese Old Age Symptoms
- Changes in the sleeping patterns.
- Increased anxiety.
- Loss of weight.
- Difficulty getting around i.e. jumping into the car, or even getting up after a nap.
- House soiling due to incontinence.
- Poor hearing and vision.
- Forgetting cues and command that the dog once knew.
- Disorientation and confusion.
Pekingese Grooming
This is a double-layered breed that requires a bit of grooming to keep the coat looking healthy. A Pekingese shed seasonally and requires weekly brushing for an hour to prevent matting, remove dirt, comb off the loose hair, and distribute the naturals oils present on the coat. Use a slicker brush or metal comb to gently work out on the tangles or mats. Avoid brushing dry hair since it easily breaks. Use a conditioner mixed with some water to wet the coat before brushing.
Generally, a Pekingese is a clean breed that requires occasional baths once every 4 to 6 weeks unless it rolls into something stinky. Before bathing the dog, brush the coat to remove mats and dirt. Mats tend to get messier when they get wet. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner to wash the coat. Use lukewarm water to thoroughly rinse off the shampoo to avoid skin irritation. A pooch with a show coat will require daily brushing to keep the coat presentable. Most house pets are kept in a puppy coat which requires weekly grooming.
Wipe the eyes daily to remove foreign materials from the eyes. Also wipe the creases on the face to prevent hotspots. If the coat is in its natural length, it is necessary to keep the long fur in the rear end well-groomed and clean since it is susceptible to soiling. Brush the teeth of a Pekingese twice a week if not daily using a dog-formulated toothpaste and finger toothbrush to remove excess tartar buildup. Clean the ears on a weekly basis using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls to remove excess wax or debris. Clip the nails once or twice a month using nail clippers. Overly grown nails make running and walking painful.
Pekingese Haircut | Grooming Styles
To keep a Pekingese house pet presentable and reduce the number of brushings per week, various haircuts are utilized including:
Puppy Cut – For this grooming style, the hair on the body is trimmed to about 1 to 2 inches using a pair of shears and clippers. The hair on the tail and head may be a couple of inches longer than the rest of the body.
The Lion Cut – To attain a lion cut, the hair on the body is clipped short leaving the fur on the head, neck (which forms a noticeable mane), face, a small portion of the shoulders, and part of the chest.
Teddy Cut – The hair on the head is trimmed in a rounded shape to give it a teddy bear look. The fur on the body is clipped up to a length of 3 inches.
The Show Cut – For this grooming style, the fur grows to its natural length. However, the hair may be trimmed around the rear end for sanitary purposes.
Pekingese Shedding
A Pekingese is a seasonal shedder that blows off its coat when experiencing seasonal change once or twice a year during Spring and /or Fall. This is a double-layered breed that has a thick and soft undercoat and an outer coat that is long, straight, and coarse-textured.
Pekingese Hypoallergenic
Although, Pekingese dogs are seasonal shedders, they are not considered hypoallergenic. They shed heavily spreading hair and dander around the house. Dog’s hair, urine, saliva, mucus, and dander have a protein allergen that causes inflammation in people affected by dog allergies.
Pekingese Training | Training Tips
These are intelligent and affectionate dogs that can develop very strong connections with their people. Although, training may be difficult since a Pekingese is opinionated and independent. Socialization and proper training are recommended since this breed is inclined to develop small dog syndrome. Pet parents should always maintain an alpha status to ensure the dog matures to be a well-behaved, adjusted, and manageable dog. Socialization training starts from the age of 3 to 12 weeks by exposing the dog to different experiences, smell, sights, people, animals, places, situations, surfaces, and sounds like vacuum cleaners, washing machine, sirens, whistles, and lawn mowers.
Enrolling your dog in a puppy class will also serve as a form of socialization. It also empowers pet parents to identify and correct bad habits. Use positive reinforcement methods such as the use of treats, praise, playtime, and toys. Avoid use of harsh corrections methods such as yelling, shoving, kicking, punching, or beating. Keep the training sessions short and fun especially for puppies for a period of 10 to 15 minutes. However, the training span may increase as the dog matures.
Teach basic command words like sit, come, No, lie down, and leave it one at a time before proceeding to the next command word. For effective housebreaking, crate training, potty training, and creating a feeding schedule is recommended. A crate is a device that teaches a dog to stay alone reducing the severity of separation anxiety. It should be made comfortable by lining it with a comfy blanket. Pet parents may make a crate appealing through the use of favorite toys and treats. While at home, remember to always leave the crate door open so that a Pekingese will understand that a crate is not a forced experience. This device should be a safe place where the dog can treat to. At no point should it be used as a form of punishment.
A Pekingese may be difficult to house break. For effective potty training, consistency and patience is key. To ease housebreaking, it is recommended to understand that Pekingese dogs are toy breeds that have small-sized bladders and may eliminate frequently as compared to other breeds. Therefore, take a pup outside for elimination every 30 to 40 minutes, immediately it wakes up, after meals, following naps, after an exciting activity like a car ride and playtime and before bedtime. Remember to watch out for signs that a dog wants to eliminate including circling, squatting, sniffing, and whining.
Pekingese Temperament | Traits
- Loyal.
- Affectionate.
- Strong-willed.
- Intelligent.
- Alert.
- Charming.
- Confident.
- Loving.
- Outgoing.
- Independent.
- Friendly.
Pekingese Exercise
This is a brachycephalic breed that is rarely capable of exercising for more than 30 minutes. They have extremely short snouts, hence at a higher risk of developing breathing difficulties. While exercising, it is recommended to monitor their breathing. If a Pekingese begins to wheeze, the exercise should stop immediately. After running, this pooch should rest in a cool place until their breathing returns to normal. To prevent dehydration or overheating, this breed should have plenty of water prior, during, and following exercise.
Pekingese Separation Anxiety
Pekingese dogs develop very strong connections with their people. If left alone for long house, it may cause behavior problems such as relapse in house training, excessive barking, and chewing. Crate training is recommended to train this dog to stay alone for a while.
Pekingese Barking
This a breed that is wary of strangers and makes a good watchdog. A Pekingese will bark when a stranger is approaching. Although, some of these dogs tend to bark a lot, hence a good idea to teach them the Quiet command.
Pekingese Height
A Pekingese has a height of 6 to 9 inches ( approx. 15 to 23 cm).
Pekingese Weight
An adult Pekingese has an average weight of 7 to 14 pounds ( approx. 3.2 to 6.4 kg). However, a dog that is above 14 pounds(6.4kg) is disqualified in the show ring.
Pekingese Aggression
If not properly socialized, Pekingese may exhibit dog-aggression. This is because they don’t always get along with other dogs and prefer the company of other Pekingese dogs. Therefore, they may take a long time before they get used to other animals in the household. These dogs are also not good with families that have toddlers who are prone to rough playing. At no time will a Pekingese tolerate being poked and won’t hesitate to defend himself.
Pekingese Eye Infection
Eye infections in Pekingese dogs may be a result of a virus or bacteria. However, the latter is far more common. A bacteria gets an opportunity of invading the eye following trauma to the eye(injury), dry eye disease, or virus since the local defenses of the eye have been compromised.
Injury to the cornea, or scratch leads to bacterial eye infections. Pekingese have large and round eyes that are prone to scratch or injury making them susceptible to eye infections. Foreign bodies also cause infections including dust, debris, plant material, fur, or hair.
Symptoms exhibited by a Pekingese that is suffering from an eye infection include redness, pawing at the eye, squinting, swelling of the eye lids, and a discharge. A clear discharge is a sign of viral infections while a thick yellowish green discharge is due to bacterial eye infections. Home remedy for eye infections is the use of the saline rinses to flush the eye.
Pekingese Eye Problems
Apart from eye infections, other eye problems that a Pekingese suffers from include:
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye disease) is an eye condition that results from inadequate production of tears by the tear glands to keep the eye moist. This results in eye infections, itchy eyes, and sore. Signs of dry eye syndrome include pawing at the eye, dry appearance of the eye, and a thick discharge.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)- this is a group of degenerative diseases that leads to progressive loss of vision which eventually leads to blindness.
Glaucoma – this is the damage of the optic nerve that causes vision loss. Signs include bluing of the cornea, squinting, redness in the whites of the eye, and watery eyes.
Corneal ulcers – Naturally, these dogs have large and rounded eyes that make the corneas vulnerable to scratch and injuries.
Pekingese Health Issues
The reported leading cause of death in Pekingese is trauma. Other health concerns include cardiovascular and neurological defects including congestive heart failure. Fortunately, when diagnosed early with this disease, a Pekingese can live for many years. A Heart murmur is a potential indicator of a congestive heart failure and should be evaluated by a veterinary cardiologist. Although, most heart murmurs don’t suffice until the dog is above the age of 6 years old.
They are also vulnerable to back problems due to the long spine and relatively short legs. To avoid injury, they should be prevented from leaping from furniture and other heights. Other health issues that this breed suffers from include breathing difficulties, glaucoma, skin allergies, eye ulcers, and progressive retinal atrophy.
Pekingese Breathing Problems
Pekingese dogs are brachycephalic dogs that have a flattened nose and tiny skull causing them to develop breathing problems. This makes it difficult to regulate their body temperature in hot weather.
Pekingese Names
The next best thing after getting a Pekingese puppy from a responsible breeder is getting it a name. Names may be inspired by their Chinese origin, coat color, personality, Chinese food and songs, historical figures, nature, movies, and celebrities. Regardless of where you get the inspiration, ensure that the name freely rolls off your tongue and won’t make your embarrassed once you utter it out loud in the public places like malls and parks.
Pekingese dogs and other dog breeds better understand a name that has vowel in it. If you settle with a long name, find a cute nickname for your pet. Giving a Pekingese a name that rhymes with the command words can create confusion. At no time should a Pekingese share a name with other family members or guests who frequent your home since this would create confusion.
Female Pekingese Names
- Cora.
- Fifi.
- Jade.
- Daisy.
- Ginger.
- Pixie.
- Cinnamon.
- Flora.
- Manchu.
- Shan.
- Bing, etc.
Pekingese Seizure
A Pekingese is susceptible to seizures, disturbance of the normal functioning of the brain. Causes of seizures are categorized into three; primary, secondary, and reactive seizures. Primary seizures are inherited although the cause is unknown. Therefore, they are referred to as idiopathic epilepsy.
Reactive seizures occur when the brain detects a metabolism problem due to low blood sugar, toxins, or organ failure. Secondary seizures are caused by trauma to the brain, brain tumor, or stroke.
A seizure may last for period of 1 to 3 minutes. When a dog is experiencing seizure, ensure there are no hazards in the surroundings. Make sure other dogs are not near the convulsing pooch. Put nothing in the mouth of a Pekingese since it is dangerous for you and your pet.
Symptoms exhibited when a dog is experiencing grand mal seizures include urination or defecation, foaming mouth, drooling, disorientation, stiffening of the muscles, loss of consciousness, hiding after an episode, and staring.
Male Pekingese Names
- Odie.
- Max.
- Lian.
- Junior.
- Milo.
- Ezra.
- Gizmo.
- Gobbler.
- Puffin.
- Zeus, etc.
Pekingese Muzzle
A Pekingese is also muzzled in a situation where the dog owner is not sure of how it will react. For instance, when going to a park that is likely to have toddlers who will play rough. Pekingese dogs don’t get along well with other breed of dogs especially if not properly socialized. A Muzzle will therefore be appropriate for such situations. It is also recommended to muzzle a dog that is in pain since it is most likely to bite or nip. AKC also recommends pet parents to create positive associations with the device through the use of treats so that the dog doesn’t become defensive when the muzzle is needed. Although, a muzzle is not used to correct bad habits like chewing, biting, and barking.
Pekingese Dog Food
The amount of food that a Pekingese eat depends on its activity level, age, metabolism, and size. This is a small-sized breed that requires a high-quality diet divided into small meals. Not a highly active breed, they are prone to obesity if the food bowl is left out all day. Extra weight can contribute to back injuries. In a day, a Pekingese should consume 296 to 404 calories according to the National Research Council of the National Academies.
The type of food that a dog’s feeds on depend on the time and budget of the pet parent. Regardless of the food that you feed your pet, ensure that it meets all the recommended nutritional requirements. Brachycephalic dog breeds are more prone to flatulence and gastrointestinal upset which is made worse if the Pekingese feeds on ingredients like fillers, wheat, and corn. Always opt for healthy treats instead of high calorie treats.
When you get a puppy from a breeder, chances are you will want to change the type of food that it was feeding on. Change the food type gradually over a course of one month to avoid an upset stomach. In the first week, mix 3/4 of the old food with 1/4 of new food. During the second week, feed a Pekingese a total of 1/2 new food and 1/2 old food. In the third week, a Pekingese should feed 3/4 of the new food and 1/4 of the old food. During the fourth week, feed your pooch the new food only.
Other breeds of dogs include:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Pug.
Pekingese Colors
The breed standards allow a wide range of color combinations. Although, the most common coat colors for a Pekingese include sable, red, or gold. Although, occasionally, black, cream, white, slate grey, and black-tan have also appeared on the breed.
Types Of Pekingese
There are two types of Pekingese categorized into size, Sleeve Pekingese and Standard Pekingese. Sleeves are smaller as compared to the standard. They got their name from the ancient times when emperors would carry the smallest of the breeds in their sleeves.
Pekingese Allergies
Pekingese are susceptible to various forms of allergies as discussed below:
Skin allergies – A Pekingese is predisposed to skin allergies due to food, contact, and environmental allergies.
Food allergies – Although rare, a Pekingese may also suffer from a true food allergy that is accompanied by skin condition symptoms like hives, hot spots, dermatitis, pruritus, lesions, and facial swelling as well as gastrointestinal stress.
Contact allergies – This inflammation occurs when the skin comes in contact with the allergens. Some of the contact allergens that affect Pekingese include plastics, lawn chemicals, grooming products like shampoos and conditioner, carpet cleaning detergents, latex, medication, and bed linens. The commonly affected body parts include around the muzzle, feet, and paws.
Environmental allergies – One of the environmental allergens that affect a Pekingese include Flea’s saliva that leads to flea allergy dermatitis. This allergy affects the back legs and underneath the tail. It results to excessive scratching until the skin surrounding the bite area is raw. Other environmental allergens that affect a Pekingese include ragweed, pollen, trees, dust and dust mites, house molds, mites, and even mosquitoes. Common symptoms associated with environmental allergies include congestion, runny nose, and itchiness on various body parts including the paws, around the eyes, between the toes, muzzle, underarms, groin, ears, and belly sides.
Pekingese Food Allergies
True food allergies in Pekingese results in an immune response accompanied by a wide range of symptoms ranging from skin issues to gastrointestinal symptoms including acute vomiting and/or vomiting. A Pekingese may also be affected by food intolerance as a response to a gradual offending ingredient in the diet and snacks of the pet.
Some of the ingredients that cause food intolerance in Pekingese include wheat, corn, soy, eggs, milk, lamb, beef, chicken, pork, turkey, preservatives, additives, chemicals, etc. Signs of food intolerance include poor skin and coat, vomiting, diarrhea, foot infections, and ear infections. Pet parents should work along with the vet to manage the symptoms and find the offending ingredient in the diet of the pooch.
Pekingese Skin Allergies
Skin allergies in a Pekingese are a result of food and environmental allergies. True food allergies result to skin issues symptoms that mimic skin allergies including crusting lesions, hives, hot spots, dermatitis, and pruritus.
On the other hand, environmental allergies result to atopic dermatitis, a condition that occurs when a Pekingese inhales airborne substances such as house dust, pollen, or ingests a substance that the dog is sensitive to resulting in a dry, reddened, and flaky skin.
Common affected body parts in a pet include paws, ears, around the muzzle, groin, underarms, etc. Symptoms of skin allergies in this breed include itchiness, excessive scratching, sores, hives, lesions, and hair loss.
Pekingese Stomach Problems
A Pekingese tends to develop stomach problems since they are brachycephalic and tend to swallow more air while eating as compared to other dogs. Therefore, this dog may develop flatulence and gastrointestinal upset. This is worsened if the dog feeds on fillers, corn, and wheat.
Pekingese Leg Problems
A Pekingese has a long spine as compared to the relative short legs. This put more pressure on the legs and the back if this dog is overweight causing leg problems.
Pekingese Eyes | Eye Ulcer
Pekingese dogs have large, rounded, dark, and widely set apart eyes. Due the large round eyes, these dogs are prone to eye ulcers as a result of scratch or injury to the ear canal.
Pekingese Tail
A Pekingese has a high set tail that is free of curls or kinks. It is long, straight, and profuse and may fall to either side.
Pekingese Teeth
Puppies are whelped with no teeth. The deciduous teeth start growing in at the age of 2 or 3 weeks until a Pekingese pup has a total number of 28 milk teeth. However, these teeth start falling out as they are replaced with a permanent set of teeth from the age of 12 weeks. At the age of 6 months, a Pekingese has a total number of 42 permanent teeth. From the age of 6 months, the teeth of a pup should be brushed at least twice a week if not daily to promote good oral health and remove excess tartar buildup. Brush the teeth using a tasty doggy toothpaste and finger toothbrush.
Are Pekingese Hypoallergenic
No. Although a Pekingese is a season shedder it is not considered hypoallergenic. This is because shedding spreads dander and fur around the house. Dog’s hair, dander, mucus, urine, and saliva contain a protein allergen that triggers allergic reaction in people who suffer from dog allergies.
Do Pekingese Shed
Yes, a Pekingese shed seasonally while experiencing seasonal change once or twice a year during Spring and/or Fall.
Are Pekingese Smart
Yes. They are regarded as smart, outgoing, loving, strong-willed, alert, courageous, and friendly dogs.
Pekingese Quick Facts
- A Pekingese is an achondroplasiac breed that may find stairs difficult. Older dogs may not be able to go up or down the stairs alone.
- It has a distinct rolling gait that may have been developed through selective breeding to prevent wandering of the court dogs during the ancient times.
- It was one of the three dogs that survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 along with two Pomeranians.
