• All Dog Breeds
• Pekingese Basics
• History of the Pekingese
• Pekingese Pictures
• Dog Forums

Pekingese

More Pekingese Pictures

Affection:
Energy:
Playfulness:
Sociability - dogs:
Sociability - other pets:
Sociability - strangers:
Trainability:
Exercise needs:
Grooming needs:
Suitability to cold:
Suitability to heat:
Watch dog capability:
Guard dog capability:

1. General Description of the Pekingese

   A compact dog with the disposition of a lion, the Pekingese is anything but delicate. The breed has a small build, dense muscles and a solid bone structure. The head is large, with a flat face and ears that are heavily fringed with hair. The Pekingese has large, dark eyes that are round but not bulging and a very broad nose with wide, black nostrils. A characteristic V-shaped wrinkle of skin adorns the face just between the bridge of the nose and the eyes. The dog has a flat, whiskered muzzle and a wide jaw. The lower portion of the jaw is undershot but not so severely as to reveal the teeth and tongue when the mouth is closed. The dog’s body is long when compared to its height and the combination of a robust front and lighter hindquarters give the Pekingese a pear-shaped appearance. The tail arches slightly at the base, is carried over the back, and is profusely fringed with hair. The breed has both a long outer-coat and a coarse, thick undercoat. The long hair covers the entire body, forming a mane around the neck and shoulders and making the toes and backs of the legs appear feathered. The coat can be any variety of colors but the lips, rims of the eyes and exposed skin on the muzzle are always black.

2. Pekingese Temperament

   Although the Pekingese is an affectionate and loving breed, it is also a one-person dog. The Pekingese is wary of strangers and can be very jealous of other dogs, pets, or even people. A very intelligent, brave, and independent breed, the Pekingese may challenge its master for dominance, so obedience training beginning at a young age is strongly encouraged. The breed has a tendency to bark excessively, making it both a good watchdog and a potential problem for neighbors. Although the Pekingese is a fairly hardy dog, it is not recommend for young children whose rough play may cause injury.

3. Caring for a Pekingese

   The Pekingese does not need much exercise, but owners are advised to keep the dog active in order to avoid unwanted weight gain. Due to its minimal exercise requirements, the breed can make an excellent apartment dog that does not require a yard. Occasionally, the Pekingese will revolt against leashes, so early leash training is important. Although this breed is not a heavy shedder, matting can be an issue and it is imperative that the dog’s coat is brushed daily with extra attention devoted to the rear of the body. The eyes and face require daily cleaning, the feet and ears should be checked regularly for burrs and other objects, and the body must be dry shampooed on a regular basis. The Pekingese may develop stenotic nares, patellar luxaction, elongated soft palate, trichiasis, distichiasis, patellar luxation, skin fold dermatitis, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

4. Discuss the Pekingese in the Forums

5. Books about the Pekingese

6. Show Your Pride! Click Here for Pekingese T-Shirts (For People)

7. Research Pekingese Breeders

8. Watch Dog Related Videos Online:

9. See an error? Have a suggestion? Help us improve!

We include the following list of misspellings so our internal search tools can send you to the right place. People often misspell Pekingese as Pekingeese, Pekingeise, or Penkingiese.