The Pekingese is a small dog with a flattened nose and a leonine appearance. They were, at one time, considered sacred animals and part of Asian roy alty. These are currently very popular animals practically all over the world because their soft coat invites you to caress them endlessly.
If you are thinking of adopting a Pekingese, it is important that you inform yourself in advance about their characteristics, the character they usually have or their behavior in their adult life.
In this tab on our site we will explain in detail everything you need to know about the Pekingese dog and the care it needs. Feel free to comment and share your photos or questions!
History of the Pekingese
The Pekingese was a dog worshipped by Buddhist monks in China, since its physical characteristics bear some resemblance to the lion of Fu, a mythical animal of the Buddhist tradition. For that reason, dogs were cared for by roy alty and only noblemen could have a Pekingese in their possession, such was the devotion to this breed, that sometimes they even had human servants to take care of them.
In 1860, during the Second Opium War, Anglo-French troops looted and burned the Summer Palace in Beijing shortly after the Chinese Emperor Xianfeng fled. Fortunately, before setting it on fire, they rescued (or rather, captured) five Pekingese dogs that lived in that palace. Those five dogs were taken to England, where they were given as gifts to nobles and aristocrats. One of them even found its way into the hands of Queen Victoria of England.
These five dogs were the progenitors of the current population of the Pekingese, since the other Pekingese in China died or were hidden by the population, without evidence of their descendants. From then on, in the United Kingdom, the sponsorship of the breed began and its popularity did not stop growing until today.
Characteristics of the Pekingese
The body of the Pekingese is small, moderately stocky and relatively short The waist is well marked and the topline is level. The chest is wide and has very sprung ribs. The head of this dog is very striking due to its size and leonine appearance. It is big and wide. The skull is flattened between the ears and the stop is well defined. The muzzle is short. The eyes are dark, round and bright. The ears are heart-shaped and hang down on the sides of the head.
The tail, set high and stiff, curves over the back and to some of the sides. It is covered with abundant long fringes. The Pekingese has a double coat The outer coat is abundant, straight, long and coarse. The inner fleece is dense and soft. According to the International Cinological Federation (FCI) standard, any color is accepted for the body and for the mask, including spots of different colors, except the liver color and albino dogs.
The FCI breed standard does not indicate a specific size, but it does note that the ideal weight must not exceed 5 kilograms in male Pekingese or 5.4 kilograms in females. Additionally, dogs must be small enough to appear heavy for their height.
Pekingese Character
The temperament of these dogs is very characteristic of the breed. Pekingese are loyal and very brave dogs despite their small size. However, they are also independent and reserved. These little Chows do not socialize as easily as other breeds. They are usually very loyal to their own, but mistrustful of strangers These dogs are excellent pets for the elderly and sedentary familiesThey can also be good pets for first-time owners.
Pekingese care
Coat care takes time, as the Pekingese needs to be brushed once a day You also have to clean the wrinkles on his snout with a damp cloth and dry them to avoid skin infections. It is advisable to bath him once a month
On the other hand, this dog doesn't need much exercise. It is usually enough to have two walks a day of between 15 and 20 minutes, which can be short or moderate, and some play time that is not very intense. In general, the Pekingese is a calm dog that prefers to spend time without much activity. However, it is important to take him for a walk to socialize him, in addition to giving him physical activity.
Let's not forget that due to its flattened snout, the Pekingese is susceptible to heat stroke, so we will avoid walking it in hours of intense sun, performing physical activities that require a lot of resistance or long walks without breaks. On mountain excursions or when we go to the beach it is advisable to carry fresh water and a carrier or travel bag that allows us to take you if you show symptoms of fatigue, tiredness or breathing problems.
We will be careful with the food, whether homemade or commercial, making sure you eat the right amount for your weight and age as this breed is susceptible to obesity. We can also bet on low-calorie sweets.
The need for company is something else. Although this breed is very independent, the Pekingese is not a dog to live in isolation as it can then develop separation anxiety. He can spend more time alone than other companion dogs, but he also needs to be with his family most of the time. The advantage, for those who do not want a "velcro" dog, is that the Pekingese is enough to be in the same room as its owners, and it does not need to be caressed or held all the time. This dog adapts very well to life in small apartments.
Pekingese education
Traditionally, Pekingese were considered stubborn dogs and difficult to train. Many trainers even considered them dumb dogs. However, this has more to do with the training techniques used than with the intelligence of the Pekingese.
These dogs can be easily trained to have good manners and respond to many canine obedience commands when trained using reinforcement positive. It is very important to socialize them from puppies, in order to achieve a good relationship with other people, pets and the environment. Still, they will never be as social as other companion dogs.
Being very independent and reserved dogs, Pekingese have a tendency to develop some behaviors that can be problematic if they are trained incorrectly. The use of punishment or a lack of attention towards the animal can develop barking, destructive behaviors and even aggressive impulses such as small bites. The adoption of this dog should be considered first and foremost and we must be sure that we can provide it with a good education and the company and affection it requires.
It is important to note that if we work regularly with our Pekingese dog, we can achieve a sociable and even affectionate best friend by our side. We must not let ourselves be literally influenced by the standard of behavior of the breed, but we must think about offering it a good education and guiding it towards a behavior that pleases us.
Finally and to improve his mental stimulation, we recommend you spend time with him practicing obedience, canine skills, intelligence games and, in short, enrich his day to dayto avoid behavior problems and improve our bond with him-
Pekingese He alth
The Pekingese dog, due to its low genetic variety, is susceptible to several hereditary diseases:
- Trichiasis
- Waterfalls
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Disquitasis
- Stnotic nose
- Soft elongated palate
- Degeneration of intervertebral discs
- Patellar luxation
- Urinary calculi
However, by going to the specialist regularly and providing good care, we will be able to detect any problem early and enjoy a dog long-lived and he althy. The life expectancy of the Pekingese is about 11 years although it is a figure that increases year after year thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, nutrition and care.
We must never forget the importance of precisely following the vaccination schedule to prevent serious viral or bacterial diseases, as well as regularly following the internal and external dewormingOf the dog.
