Pekingese History

First of all, you must understand that Pekingese are not dogs!
They are a combination of part human, part aristocrat, perpetual
child, and part cat. There is no other breed like them.

You must also understand that if your idea of a pet dog is one
who will sit adoringly at your feet (or in your lap), wait to
jump at any command, be available to your every beck and call,
the Pekingese is not for you. In most cases, Pekingese will
slowly work their way into your home and before you know it YOU
will be at THEIR beck and call. They will be extremely
obedient–not to please you but only because they CHOOSE to
please you. They will come and go as they please because that is
what pleases them. They are not being truly disobedient but do
so because they can see no reason to do otherwise. After all,
they are special, aren’t they?

The Pekingese originated in China over 2000 years ago. Their
only function was to carry the robes of the Chinese Imperial
Court . Ownership of this dog was prohibited to any except
royalty. During the Great China War of 1860, Franco-British
forces marched on Peking . The invaders looted the summer place,
and the Western world made its first acquaintance with the
little Lion Dog of Peking . Five of these little dogs were found
in the apartment of the Emperor’s aunt, who had delayed her
flight too long and committed suicide when the Palace gates were
stormed.

These five little creatures endeared themselves to their
captors, who carried them back to England . One was presented to
Queen Victoria and was named “Looty”. She lived a life of luxury
for ten years in Windsor Palace until her death in 1872. All
modern day Pekingese have descended from these five dogs. All
the others were slaughtered so that no one would lay eyes on
them, for to do so in China brought immediate and unmerciful
death.

This background give you some idea of why Pekingese think they
are a little bit better than anyone or anything else! It has
been so bred into them that they continue this attitude today.
So, if you want a whimsical personality, take delight in their
independence, accept the fact that they are the bosses, then a
Pekingese is the dog for you.

You are no doubt enthralled by the abundance of coat. While very
eye-catching, you will pay the price to keep the glamour. If you
are not prepared to groom at least once or twice a week, or have
it professionally done, then this breed is not for you. The good
thing is that they require very little trimming. The hair on the
bottom of the feet covering the pads should be kept short. Also,
both the male and female should have the hair neatly trimmed
around the sheath of the male and the vulva of the female.
Scissoring is not necessary on any other part of the coat unless
you decide the coat is just too much to handle. There are
several cute cuts that can be done by a professional and which
will still leave the dog looking like a Pekingese. I do not
recommend that it should be totally shaved. Of coarse, as in all
coated breeds, the length and quality of the coat will vary. If
you buy from a breeder who is primarily producing show quality
puppies, your puppy will have a lot of coat. I certainly
recommend that you buy from this type of breeder. Puppies
purchased from a pet store are of questionable parentage and
will not mature to look like the Pekingese you see in the show
ring. By the age of nine or ten months you should have some
indication of what the coat will be like.

Generally speaking, Pekingese are amiable creatures but will not
take kindly to being badgered by children. They are not mean by
nature but will eventually retaliate if someone continues to
abuse them. If there are small children in the family the
Pekingese should have a place of their own, such as a crate, to
escape to. Cats and Pekingese seem to have an affinity for each
other and will probably become very good friends. It is not
recommended that you have an aggressive dog in the same
household as Pekingese will not back down, so matter the size or
strength of the other animal.

Pekingese make good house pets, whereby they will have a domain
to rule. Their favorite spot will probably be where you don’t
want them, but you will put up with their wishes because you
love and admire them. They need daily exercise but you shouldn’t
expect them to be boundary trained so you will need a dog proof
fence for them. They are easily trained to the leash and enjoy
daily walks. The Pekingese is quite muscular and solidly built
with most of their weight concentrated in the front quarters.
For this reason, stairs should be avoided, and they should not
be allowed to jump from high places such as the couch or bed.
Since they are a long-backed dog, landing from a height could
cause grave problems.

Pekingese are very tolerant of cold and will often prefer to be
outdoors when you think they should be indoors. However, they
are intolerant of heat and you must guard against them becoming
over-heated during hot weather. Be sure they have plenty of
fresh water and a cool place to lie. A basement is ideal, but
they do not want to be away from the family. They love to lie on
a stone hearth, a cool linoleum floor, or in front of a large
floor fan. If you have a pool or pond in your yard, guard your
Pekingese carefully!! They are not good swimmers and once their
coat becomes saturated with water they will surely sink and
drown.

Pekingese are really quite free of hereditary problems and if
you buy from a reputable breeder should live a long healthy life
of from ten to eighteen years. However, since this is a
flat-faced breed you must guard against injury to the eyes.
Because they have no snout to protect the eyes, they can be more
easily injured than the eyes of some other breeds. “Peke proof”
your yard. That means no long grass, rose bushes, and low tree
branches–anything sharp they could bump into. Clean the eyes
daily with a cotton ball and look for anything out of the
ordinary. The first sign of injury is often watering or
blinking. If not noticed immediately the eye will turn a light
blue and you may see a small indentation called an ulcer on the
eyeball. Prompt veterinary attention should be sought so you can
properly medicate it. I recommend that you always have a tube of
chloramphenicol eye ointment on hand–injuries have a habit of
happening on Sundays and holidays! Remember, the best remedy is
prevention.

Welcome to the PEKINGESE ADDICTION SOCIETY! I hope you are
prepared for a long and enjoyable relationship of being owned by
your new pet. Your Pekingese will offer you many hours and years
of enjoyment. There is NO other dog like them! If you have any
questions, or need further information, please call me at any
time. I’m always available to talk Pekingese