Pekingese - A small and strong breed

With an appearance similar to that of a lion, a fearless, strong appearance and with a certain touch of pride, a worthy canine figure of nobility at some point. This is how the Pekingese presents itself in society.

• Small size .
• Weight : up to 5kg.
• Hair type : Long and straight.
• Character : Stubborn, Affectionate, Intelligent, Aggressive, Stubborn, Good nature
• Health : Healthy
• Life expectancy : Between 12 and 18 years.

A dog whose history contains mysticism, integration into royalty and a privileged growth, which has allowed this breed to grow with great popularity throughout the world. Related to other small breeds from China, their hometown, these canines have long transcended borders, being accepted as an excellent companion animal not only for their size, but also for their loving and loyal personality with their family members. A dog with great courage despite its small size, the Pekingese is always attentive to all situations, and although it is usually distant with strangers, it does not hesitate to confront others, whether people or animals, regardless of their size. . Do you want to know more about this breed? In this article we show you in detail everything related to these canines: their interesting history, physical appearance, care and how they should be trained. Be sure to review this information and learn everything you need before adopting a dog.

History of the Pekingese

Like most small dogs from China , the history of the Pekingese is linked to ancient times, with some mystical airs, which we will learn about below. Some documentation of this breed dates back 4 thousand years, Korean engravings from these dates have been located and show its existence since ancient times. There are also different theories in which its existence is perceived around the year 700 AD, at which stage its popularity was progressively evident with the presence of Buddhism in the Asian country. It was also directly associated with other breeds such as the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu , also originating from other Asian cities. On the other hand, the presence of this dog breed in Asian royalty is undeniable. In fact, it is recognized for its required presence in the Chinese Imperial Court in the year 1800, in the Tang Dynasty , becoming one of the favorites, as it lived separately from the canines of other breeds that lived together in the palace, for considered a dog of mythological origin . At that time, the appearance of the Pekingese allowed it to recognize itself as an animal that emerged from the love between a lion and a monkey, as described in mythology in its texts. The king of the jungle, madly in love, sacrificed his size and strength before the Wizard God Hai Ho, to live his romance. The fruit of that love was the creation of the Pekingese. From this Chinese legend, it is said that the canine was formed brave and loving like its father (the lion) but small, intelligent and gentle like its mother (the monkey). Without a doubt, a story full of fantasy, but one that to this day has been accredited, because the characteristics of this animal, both in appearance and behavior, respond to those characteristics of the legend. Recognition of the breed worldwide grew much more, in the 19th century it was transferred to Great Britain. In England, a specimen was adopted by Queen Elizabeth, so its presence in royalty went beyond China. In 1898 the breed standard was published and, after that, six years later, the Pekingese Club was founded, maintaining its popularity to this day.

Physical appearance of the Pekingese

The Pekingese is a breed of tiny, compact stature , but strong and energetic. It is an animal whose body is longer than it is tall and, curiously, the front part tends to be more physically pronounced than the rear part, which is narrower and thinner. Regarding their weight, the Pekingese cannot exceed 5 kilograms, both males and females, as they can present health problems. The height varies slightly in relation to sex, males reach up to 20 centimeters, while females have a maximum of 18 centimeters in size. Although it is a small dog, its build is robust. Both the bone structure of these canines and their muscles are quite heavy, which shows the strength they can have.

Head

Its head is what makes it most similar to a tiny lion. It has a fairly pronounced skull, seen from above it gives the impression of being wide and flattened. The front part of his face, on the other hand, is predominant and some folds in the skin are also evident. The eyes are dark in color, round in shape, large and, usually, very prominent. Its nose is black and medium in size. The ears, on the other hand, are small, set high, well separated, covered, like the entire face, by extensive fur. A distinctive aspect of the Pekingese is the flat shape of its snout. This characteristic can generally cause respiratory problems for specimens.

Extremities

These dogs have thick and strong hind legs, while the front legs are lighter and more refined. This allows great agility and dexterity when moving.

Fur

The coat of this breed comes in two layers: the outer layer, dense, long and thick, covers its entire body with greater prominence on the ears, neck and tail; and a woolly, thin and shorter undercoat, which allows it to stay warm in cold times. It is accepted in different colors, the most common being liver color. Also included are color variations between black and liver, and others.

Line

The tail is set high, generally positioned on its back, and tilted to either side. Covered with hair, it gives the impression of being thick, but it really is not.

Pekingese Behavior

A worthy member of royalty, it is a breed that can appear distinguished, reserved and distant. However, with his owners he is really affectionate and very loyal . The Pekingese is a very practical dog as a guard, because although it does not bark excessively, it does so repeatedly if it perceives an irregular situation such as the presence of an intruder, even more so if it feels that it is a dangerous situation for its loved ones. With remarkable bravery, as well as their intelligence, these dogs are full of courage and energy, which is why they do not hesitate to defend their territory if they feel invaded, regardless of whether it is against a dog twice their size. For this reason, socialization from a very early age is essential , in this way, it will know how to adapt to the presence of family friends or other animals, as the case may be. Although they are stubborn by nature, these animals do not present any significant behavioral problems. They are a very balanced breed that will not cause damage to the home if trained correctly. Regarding coexistence, these dogs adapt to large or small spaces without problems. They are generally very active, but they enjoy the company and attention of their family members to the fullest. In homes with small children, these dogs can live without worries, although it is important to teach children how they should treat animes, so that the latter do not feel attacked. They are dogs that, without a doubt, will provide a lot of company to their owners, but they also require attention, so you must have the necessary time for their care and training.

Pekingese education

The training of this breed is not a difficult issue, although you must know the process, because due to their character, these dogs respond more effectively to caresses than to direct orders. First of all, it is necessary to teach the Pekingese important aspects such as socialization; it is necessary for these dogs to learn to live with other animals in the same territory and with other people. Training with the application of positive reinforcement is essential, because these dogs can be stubborn at times and the way you give commands influences whether they follow them or not. A distant and rejecting attitude is what the canine can reflect if it does not feel comfortable with training. On the other hand, it is an obedient and attentive dog , that is, learning both orders and tricks will be easy and very fun. Constant practice for 20 minutes will be enough for this canine to remain active and learning.

Health

This breed is usually very healthy during its existence. They have a life expectancy that is close to 12 years. The main causes of death are heart disease or, failing that, advanced age. As for breed-specific diseases, having a flat nose has caused brachiocephalic syndrome to develop in them, that is, they have difficulty breathing. What has ended up being classified as a common pathology in them. Sometimes they are prone to eye diseases, such as progressive retinal atrophy; However, proper cleaning and care can prevent pathologies like these from appearing. In general terms, the good health of this breed will depend largely on the care provided by its owners.

Care

In general, we are talking about a dog that is very easy to maintain. However, like any pet, it requires care and attention to maintain its well-being and ensure its health while it lives with us. First of all, you have to take care of the diet of this breed , because it should not be overdone. We are talking about a small dog, therefore, it requires not very large portions of food to stay satisfied. Do not give him excessive sweets, as they can easily lead to obesity. These animals are very active and always remain in constant movement, therefore, exercise is not so essential. A daily walk will be enough to keep him adequately entertained and emotionally balanced. Now, in terms of hygiene, it is necessary to maintain constant brushing, at least daily, and remove bad hair, because otherwise knots will be created in its fur and it will leave hair all over the house. The bath can be done once or twice a month, depending on the dirt accumulated on the puppy. It is important to take care of the hygiene of your face, especially in the area near the eyes, in this way you can prevent diseases related to these organs. In another aspect, the attention and company of these pets is very important, offering them walks together, games and affection will help them maintain a positive and balanced attitude and temperament. If you feel alone, you may adopt negative behavior.

Conclusion

The Pekingese is a high-born breed, so its temperament can reflect this aspect, appearing distant and very dignified. However, it is an affectionate, loyal, obedient and attentive dog . An excellent guardian who is reserved in his barking, but does not hesitate to alert his owners to the presence of unknown people. He is happy and very energetic, as well as intelligent, so training him is not difficult, if it is done with positive reinforcement instead of giving abrupt commands. We are talking about a small, strong and very popular breed. These characteristics have earned him great favoritism. Although they seem independent, they greatly enjoy the company of their owners, which is why the time you have to dedicate to this pet should be considered if you adopt it. Enjoying the fun and tenderness that the Pekingese can bring to the whole family will make you fall in love with this small lion of compact size, with great strength. On our blog you can also consult about breeds: