Appearance and Coat
– Pekingese have a long-haired type of coat preferred by modern breeders and dog show judges.
– Their flat face and large eyes are distinctive characteristics.
– The body is compact, low to the ground, and muscular.
– The breed has an unusual rolling gait, possibly developed through selective breeding.
– Pekingese can be smaller and are sometimes referred to as sleeve Pekingese.
– Pekingese come in a wide range of color combinations, including gold, red, sable, cream, black, white, tan, black-and-tan, and occasionally blue or slate grey.
– A black mask or self-colored face is acceptable in show dogs.
– The breed requires frequent extensive grooming due to heavy shedding and to prevent mats.
– Albino Pekingese with white fur and pink eyes should not be bred due to health problems.
– The exposed skin of the muzzle, nose, lips, and eye rims is black regardless of coat color.
Health
– The median lifespan of Pekingese is 11.4 years according to a UK Kennel Club survey.
– Trauma is the leading cause of death for Pekingese, like many other Toy breeds.
– Primary health concerns include neurological and cardiovascular defects, such as congestive heart failure.
– Pekingese with brachycephaly (flattened face) may experience eye issues, breathing problems, skin allergies, and eye ulcers.
– Pekingese may develop dry eye, progressive retinal atrophy, and glaucoma.
Care
– Pekingese coats require daily brushing and grooming every 8-12 weeks.
– Eyes should be cleaned daily, and creases on the face should be kept clean to prevent sores.
– The long fur in the rear end should be well-groomed to prevent soiling.
– Pekingese are prone to heatstroke, so they should be kept cool in hot temperatures.
– Due to their short snouts, Pekingese have minimal exercise needs and are at a higher risk for breathing difficulties.
History
– Pekingese emerged in China and could only be owned by members of the Chinese Imperial Palace.
– The breed was brought to England during the Second Opium War by Captain John Hart Dunne.
– Queen Victoria received the first Pekingese brought to England and named it ‘Looty.’
– The story of Pekingese being found with an elderly aunt during the sack of the palace has no support from contemporary documents.
– Pekingese were also presented to Americans by Empress Dowager Cixi.
– Pekingese dogs were introduced to Western countries around the turn of the century.
– They were owned by influential figures such as Alexandra of Denmark and Elsie de Wolfe.
Miscellaneous
– Sleeve Pekingese is a miniature version of the standard-sized dog.
– They were carried in the capacious sleeves of Chinese Imperial Household members’ robes.
– Practices aimed at stunting their growth, like giving puppies rice wine, were forbidden by Dowager Empress Cixi.
– In Britain, Sleeve Pekingese weighed no more than 6-7 pounds.
– They had a strong following in 1946, with cream and white being popular colors.
– The Lion and the Marmoset is a common origin story for the Pekingese.
– The Gods intervened to even up their sizes, resulting in the Pekingese.
– The Butterfly Lions is another origin story where the Buddha allowed the lioness and butterfly’s sizes to meet in the middle.
– From this, the Pekingese came to be as brave as a lion yet as dainty as a butterfly.
– The breed is featured in T. S. Eliot’s poem ‘The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles,’ later adapted for the musical Cats.
– In James Herriot’s semi-autobiographical books and TV adaptations, the Pekingese Trickie Woo is his favorite patient.
– The Pekingese is mentioned in the novel Crazy Rich Asians, owned by Goh Peik Lin’s family.
– The breed is associated with the Lion dance, a traditional Chinese dance.
– Pekingese are one of the main contenders in the Westminster dog show, with a Pekingese named Wasabi winning Best in Show in 2021.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pekingese