Introduction
Pekingese is an adorable small dog with a brave and fearless attitude. The breed originated in China where it was considered as a sacred breed of dogs. In ancient times, these dogs were considered as Floo dogs that could drive away evil spirits. The dignified Pekingese dogs were then owned by Chinese royalties only.
Interestingly, these sacred dogs with sixth sense were so dear to the then authorities that stealing these regal dogs meant death punishment for the accused individuals.
In the present scenario, these lovely and cuddly dogs are used as wonderful show dogs and companion dogs. This toy breed is also known by names like Lion Dog, Peking Palasthund or simply Peke.
Physical Appearance
Pekingese dog breed is characterized by a well balanced and muscular body. The body is a little longer than it is tall. The flat face has dark and wrinkled muzzle. The prominent dark eyes accompanied by black eye rims are set well apart.
The prominent large eyes are round in shape. The heart shaped ears tend to lay flat against the head. The slightly arched and high set tail is usually carried over the back.
Color: Pekingese dogs come in almost all the colors and markings such as black, fawn, fawn sable, red, red sable, grey, white, cream, brindle etc.
Height: The average of this toy breed ranges between 6 to 9 inches.
Weight: They are generally 8 to 10 pounds in weight. A Pekingese less than 6 pounds in weight is referred to as a Sleeve Pekingese. When the weight ranges between 6 to 8 pounds, the dog is referred to as Mini Pekingese.
Health Problems
Pekingese breed dogs are prone to health problems like Patellar Luxation, Herniated Discs and other related health issues. They have also been found to be more susceptible to heart problems, breathing problems and problems related to the eyes and eye lashes like Corneal Ulcers, Trichiasis, Disticiasis etc. Whelping difficulties are also quite common in this breed of dogs.
Life Expectancy: These dogs usually live to about 13 to 15 years.
Litter Size: The average litter size of Pekingese dog breed is 2 to 4 puppies.
Grooming Requirements
The straight and long Pekingese double coat accompanied by profuse feathering requires a good deal of grooming. Thus, it should be brushed and combed on a daily basis. The females tend to shed the undercoat moderately during the shedding season. Plus, dry shampoo your cuddly Pekingese regularly to keep him clean.
The area around the hind legs tends to become solid and matted due to exposure to dirt. So, pay special attention on this aspect as well.
In addition, daily clean his face and eyes with the help of a soft and damp cloth in order to avoid infections. Check his hairy feet on a regular basis for sticks and burrs that tend to stick in the fur due to outdoor activities.
Temperament
Pekingese dog breeds is characterized by a courageous, independent, stubborn yet highly affectionate and devoted temperament. As these qualities suggest, training a Pekingese can be quite a challenging task.
While training, resist the urge of switching over to harsh training methods as these dogs are quite sensitive. Instead, use patience and consistency tactfully when dealing with challenging situations. These intelligent dogs are lively and playful around children.
However, the bossy Pekingese dogs usually do not get along well with other pets, unless socialized properly right from the beginning. These alert and confident dogs are naturally suspicious of strangers and hence serve as excellent watchdogs.
With all these attributes of Pekingese dogs in hand, it can be safely concluded that these stubborn yet loving dogs tend to do well under the leadership of firm and experienced dog owners.
Key Points
The indoor Pekingese dogs are suitable for apartment life. Being small in size, they do not require extensive physical exercise. Instead, they should be taken for short daily walk few times in a day to fulfill their activity needs.
Besides, they should not be exposed to extremely warm or damp climates as they tend to become overheated and chilled quite easily. Pekingese dogs also have a tendency of gaining weight in no time. Hence, do not pamper your beloved pet overly.
