If you want a dog with a heart of gold and the mane of a lion, then keep on reading because the Pekingese dog breed could be the perfect breed for you.
Plus…
They’re super cute too boot! Which is always a good thing right? You see, these guys were initially bred to look like a lion, and if you ignore the fact that they only stand about 9 inches tall at best, you can see how they do in fact resemble the “king of the jungle”!
But just because…
We here at IndulgeYourPet happen to be huge fans of these little guys due to their signature coat, intelligence, courage, and devotion to the family. This doesn’t mean that you’re automatically going to be a fan as well.
Or even worse…
It doesn’t automatically mean that if you decide to adopt a Pekingese puppy or rescue dog that it’s going to be a good fit for you and your family.
This is why…
We wanted to take a moment to discuss what it is like to own a Pekingese so this way if you ever get a chance to get your hands on one, you’ll know if it’s a good idea.
Pekingese Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: China
Original Purpose: Lap dog, companion animal
Height: 6 to 9 inches tall
Weight: No larger than 14 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Toy group
Life span: 13 to 15 years
Origins of the Pekingese Dog Breed
He Pekingese dog breed is like many other “ancient” dog breeds where their true origin remains somewhat of a mystery. That said, what we do know about these little guys is that they are from China, and they were specifically breed to look like a little lion.
This is because…
The lion is the symbol for Buddha in the Lamaist form of Buddhism in China. So, dogs like the Foo dog were bred extensively until ultimately they morphed into what we now know as the Pekingese breed.
This specialized breeding…
Was done under the provisions of the palace, because the Pekingese back then were considered “royal dogs” and not something that was owned by commoners.
Back then…
These little guys were used as lap dogs, and also in religious settings because of them being the “lion dog”.
This changed a bit…
In 1860, when the British looted the Imperial Palace in China holding Pekingese dogs and took 5 of them back to England. One of the dogs was even given to Queen Victoria, and since it was such an interesting dog, it caused a big demand across the countries for dog lovers.
Today…
The Pekingese is found across the world, and China is littered with Pekingese dogs and puppies from the royal families to the public. It’s also quite popular within the United States as well which is probably why your reading this article now!
Pekingese Characteristics
If you are looking for a great lap dog with uncanny intelligence, the Pekingese could be the dog for you.
But be warned…
Pekingese dogs can tend to be stubborn and hard to train, and also tend to bark a lot.
And by a lot, we mean that they’re likely to bark at anyone who walks past your house day or night.
However…
That bark is what makes the Pekingese such a good guard dog, even though their looks may not be the most intimidating.
So…
You’re going to want to take this into consideration before purchasing a Pekingese puppy, or better yet, adopting a Pekingese dog from a dog rescue center.
They’re also going to…
Be wary of anyone who has not been “officially welcomed” by their owner, so be sure to keep that in mind when having someone enter into your home for the first time.
But…
If you’re the type of person that wants to be the center of your dog’s world and have him or her with you every second of the day, then a Pekingese dog might be the dog for you because they are very affectionate to their family.
Also…
Pekingese dogs are good for families with kids, but only if they are not rough with him or her. If you have a toddler or a young child it is important to teach them how to properly treat a dog, so neither of them get hurt.
Finally…
Since Pekingese dogs are fairly small, they live a long life of anywhere from twelve to fifteen years.
Pekingese Dog Care and Maintenance
Obviously because of the thick and long coat of the Pekingese, it is going to require constant grooming, but other than that they are not too high maintenance.
It is recommended to…
Walk your Pekingese on a very short walk every day, but they cannot be in the heat. In terms of their coat, they need to be brushed at least once a week to prevent matted fur, and bathed once or twice a month to keep them clean.
Also…
To prevent any infections, it is important to clean the face of your Pekingese daily around the nose and eyes. You can use a damp cotton pad or ball to do this.
Pekingese Traits
The Pekingese is a part of the toy family of dogs because of its small stature. They range from six to nine inches tall and weight anywhere from nine to fourteen pounds. In the past in China, if a Pekingese was shorter than six inches it would be carried in the sleeves of people’s clothes and be called a Sleeve Pekingese.
Also…
The Pekingese obviously has a very signature look, but here are some of the technical traits that it has.
First…
The Pekingese has a very long and thick coat which has two layers: A soft and furry undercoat and a more coarse and straight top coat. These thick coats are what give the Pekingese it’s trademark appearance as a lion.
Secondly…
A Pekingese can be any color or variation of colors. A completely white dog of this breed was highly desired in Chinese culture, and a popular color choice nowadays.
Lastly…
The snout of a Pekingese is always black no matter what color coat it has. They also almost always will have dark brown eyes.
You may be wondering…
“How healthy are Pekingese dogs?”
The good news is…
Most of their common conditions are not life-threatening, but they can be very costly.
Some of the common health problems are:
- Ear conditions because these dogs have a lot of hair in their ears and ear canals
- Patellar Luxation
- This is a knee condition that is present in small dogs when they are born, and can cause them to not be able to walk properly. This condition could cause need for surgery.
- Brachycephalic Syndrome
- This is caused by their flat face(or shortened snout). This can cause issues such as sniffling, coughing, snorting, and fainting. Heat can trigger this condition because it can cause the breathing airways to swell.
- Skin Fold Dermatitis
- Which is caused by not cleaning the skin folds on the face of your Pekingese, and causes severe skin irritation.
And while…
Many of these conditions may not be life threatening, they can certainly become quite expensive to deal with particularly if they become recurring issues.
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be right for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
