The Pekingese is a small dog that looks like a lion. This little dog makes a wonderful addition to any family. Though they are small, the Pekingese never sees himself as anything less than the lion he resembles.

The Pekingese is a loyal and affectionate companion. They see themselves as important and are very dignified. This small dog can be quite stubborn but once someone has earned their respect, they have a loving friend for life. If an owner does not earn the respect of this small dog, the Pekingese will run the house. These small dogs are extremely brave, independent, yet are also sensitive, so take care when disciplining so that their feelings are not crushed. They make great watchdogs, as they will bark at anything they think is out of the ordinary if they feel it threatens them or their family.

The Pekingese comes in a large variety of colors, ranging from beige to black and all colors in between. Their faces are usually black, with a short, wrinkled muzzle. They have large, floppy ears and are bow-legged, giving them a rolling walk. They have big eyes, and are heavy-boned, weighing in at around 10 – 14 pounds on average.

Pekingese have very long, thick fur. They have both an undercoat and a top coat. This small dog has to be brushed every day, and special care must be given to the belly and hind legs, which will become matted. The face should be cleaned every day as well – a pet wipe is perfect to wipe around the eyes and clean the folds around the face. Be sure and check the feet for things like acorns that can become stuck there, causing matting and discomfort

This small dog tends to become more attached to one person than to the whole family, but if socialized at an early age, the Pekingese makes a wonderful family companion. They get along well with other pets and with children, though they do tend to prefer older children. This small dog can be quite happy as the center of attention in a family.

The Pekingese can be very stubborn and often develops selective hearing. They cannot always be counted on to come when called, unless they think there is something in it for them, though with work and patience they are very loyal and obedient to commands. However, Pekingese will always have a stubborn streak. Bribery must be used with caution, since this small dog loves to eat and will eat until they make themselves quite fat. They do best with consistent, calm, and praising training. Harsh methods and punishments only serve to make this small dog more willful and stubborn. Start training early, be consistent, and the Pekingese will become a well-mannered and mostly obedient dog.

The Pekingese is not a high-energy dog and will never be happy if made to run obstacle courses or jump through hoops. They are very content to be a lap dog and playing will take care of most of their energy. A fenced in yard is a wonderful place to let them off lead to play, but they are great for apartments since they are small and not hyperactive. A daily walk will take care of the dog’s need to walk, provide exercise for them and their humans, and make for a very content small dog. Start leash training early, and make sure to lead the Pekingese rather than the other way around. Some Pekingese will walk up to four miles a day with their owners. Be careful in the heat, since Pekingese can be overheated quickly.

The Pekingese breed is over 2000 years old. The ancient Chinese regarded Pekingese as sacred and only royalty could own one of these small dogs. To steal a Pekingese was a death sentence. The name Pekingese comes from the dog’s origin in Peking, now known as Beijing. They were never seen outside of China until British soldiers returned home with 5 of them in 1860 after conquering the ImperialPalace. All modern Pekingese are descended from those five dogs.

 Photo Credits:

Picture #1: Myself

Picture #2: Cristina Gehlen

Picture #3:: SD Dirk