Pekingese

Overview

The Pekingese is an ancient Chinese toy breed that served as the sacred lion dog of the imperial court for over a thousand years. Adults stand 6 to 9 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 14 pounds. The breed carries a heavy front, a lion-like mane, and a rolling side-to-side gait that's specifically called for in the standard. Nothing else in the toy group looks or moves quite like a Peke.

In personality the Pekingese is dignified, confident, and famously stubborn. It's not a lap dog in the compliant sense. It's a small emperor that decides when it wants attention and when it wants to be left alone. Pekes bond deeply to family but reserve their real warmth for a chosen few. The breed remains popular worldwide as a companion, though numbers are lower now than in the mid-twentieth century.

History & origin

The Pekingese is one of the oldest recognizable dog breeds, with over 2,000 years of history in China. Buddhism spread across the country during the Han dynasty, and small lion-like dogs became sacred symbols in Buddhist iconography. Imperial breeders in the Chinese court developed increasingly refined toy breeds, and by the Tang and Song dynasties the Pekingese type was well-established as the emperor's dog.

Ownership of the breed was legally restricted to the imperial family. Common Chinese subjects who owned a Peke could be executed. The dogs lived in the Forbidden City, cared for by eunuchs and priests, and were considered spiritual guardians. Bodyguards were said to hide small Pekes in their sleeves as a last defense.

The breed reached the West through military conquest. In 1860 British and French forces sacked the Old Summer Palace in Beijing during the Second Opium War, and soldiers found five Pekingese guarding the corpses of imperial family members who had committed suicide rather than be captured. These dogs were brought to Britain, where one was presented to Queen Victoria. The AKC recognized the breed in 1906. The Pekingese has been a popular show and companion breed in the West ever since.

Appearance

The Pekingese is a small, heavy-bodied toy dog with distinctive proportions. Height ranges from 6 to 9 inches, and weight tops out at 14 pounds. The head is broad and flat between the ears, with a very short muzzle, a flat face, and a well-defined skin wrinkle across the nose. Eyes are large, dark, prominent, and set well apart. Ears are heart-shaped, hanging close to the head, and heavily feathered.

The body is heavier in front than behind, giving the breed its characteristic pear-shaped silhouette. The front legs are short and slightly bowed, and the rear legs are lighter, producing the rolling side-to-side gait that's a required breed trait. The coat is long, straight, and coarse on top with a thick soft undercoat, forming a full mane around the neck and shoulders. All colors and markings are acceptable. The tail is set high, carried curled over the back, and heavily feathered.

Temperament

Pekingese are dignified, confident, and often described as regal. They know their worth and expect to be treated accordingly. With family they're affectionate on their own terms, choosing when to seek attention and when to observe from a distance. With strangers they're reserved and often disinterested. This is a breed that doesn't seek approval and doesn't need it.

Same-dog friendliness is moderate. Pekes can be scrappy with unfamiliar dogs, especially of the same sex, and don't back down from confrontations despite their size. Prey drive is low to moderate. The breed's courage and stubbornness combine into a small dog that behaves like a large one, which can lead to trouble around bigger, less patient dogs.

Living with one

The Pekingese fits almost any living situation. Apartments, condos, houses, and rural properties all suit the breed given climate control and moderate daily walks. What matters most is temperature. Pekes are highly susceptible to heat and shouldn't be exercised in hot weather. Air conditioning is essential in warm climates.

Climate tolerance is poor for heat and moderate for cold. The flat face causes serious breathing difficulties in heat and humidity, and Pekes can suffer heatstroke rapidly. Cold weather is tolerated better because of the dense coat, but very cold conditions still require adaptation. The breed is a house dog in every climate.

Alone-time tolerance is moderate to good. Pekes are less clingy than many small breeds and can settle for several hours if their needs are met. They aren't the desperate lap dogs some breeds are.

Noise level is low to moderate. Pekes alert-bark to unfamiliar sounds and visitors but aren't habitual barkers. They also snore, snort, and wheeze thanks to the flat face. Neighbors are unlikely to complain about barking, but the household will hear plenty of breathing sounds.

Training & exercise

Pekingese are smart and quick to learn but famously stubborn. They think about cues and decide whether the reward is worth the effort. Positive methods work, and harsh correction backfires. Short varied sessions with high-value rewards produce steady progress, and the breed responds well to shaping and problem-solving games.

Housebreaking can be slow, and some Pekes remain unreliable indoors as adults. Recall off-leash is limited by the breed's independent streak and short legs. Socialization from puppyhood produces confident, well-adjusted adults, and it helps reduce the reserved behavior around strangers.

Common mistakes include treating the Peke as a soft compliant lap dog (it isn't) and giving up on training too soon (persistence pays). What works is patient positive training, honest acceptance of the breed's independent nature, and short sessions built around what motivates the individual dog.

Grooming & care

The long, thick double coat is high-maintenance. Daily brushing with a pin brush and comb prevents matting, especially in the mane, behind the ears, and under the legs. Baths every two to three weeks keep the coat clean and manageable. Skip a bath and the coat mats quickly.

Facial care matters. The wrinkle across the muzzle needs weekly cleaning to prevent skin infections. Eyes need daily wiping. Ear care and dental care both matter. The flat face causes dental crowding, and daily tooth brushing plus regular professional cleanings help prevent problems. Nails need trimming every three to four weeks.

Health & lifespan

Lifespan is 12 to 14 years, respectable for a small breed. Many Pekes stay active into their thirteenth year. The breed's health picture is complicated by the extreme brachycephalic (flat-faced) skull structure that defines the appearance.

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome is common and often severe in Pekingese. Narrow nostrils, elongated soft palate, and other airway issues cause breathing difficulty, snoring, and heat intolerance. Some dogs need surgical correction to breathe comfortably. Heat stress can kill a Peke within minutes on a hot day.

Other conditions of note include patellar luxation, intervertebral disc disease (from the long back and short legs), eye issues including corneal ulcers and proptosis (eyeball popping out of the socket from trauma), and skin fold infections from the facial wrinkles. Cancer rates are typical for small dogs.

Screenings responsible breeders provide include patellas, eyes, and cardiac evaluations. Some breeders now include respiratory function testing (BOAS grading) to identify the healthiest dogs for breeding. Ask about these tests specifically. The trend among ethical breeders is toward slightly less extreme skull structure for improved breathing.

With kids & pets

Pekingese raised with children in the family can be affectionate and patient, but the breed's small size, prominent eyes, and independent nature make it better suited to older children. Not ideal for toddler households because eye trauma and dropped dogs are real risks. Best in homes with school-age children who understand how to interact respectfully with a small dignified breed.

First-time owner note

A reasonable choice for a first-time owner willing to commit to daily grooming, careful heat management, and the breed's independent temperament. Not appropriate for owners looking for a compliant lap dog or for households with young children. The health issues associated with the flat face require awareness and proactive care.

Fun facts

• The Pekingese is called the Lion Dog in Chinese, reflecting its role as a spiritual guardian in Buddhist tradition.
• The breed's rolling side-to-side gait is a required trait in the breed standard and is called the Peke roll.
• British soldiers who found the first Pekes in the Old Summer Palace in 1860 named the original imported dogs after Chinese locations.
• Sun Yat-sen was a Pekingese who won the Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show in 2012, making him one of the smallest winners ever.

Famous & in culture

• Queen Victoria received one of the first Pekingese in Britain, a dog named Looty, brought back after the sacking of the Summer Palace.
• Sun Yat-sen won Best in Show at Westminster in 2012, and Malachy the Pekingese won the same title in 2012 as well.