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

You should also understand that if your idea of ​​a pet dog is one that will sit adoringly at your feet (or on your lap), wait to pounce on any command, be available for all your calls, the Pekingese is not for you. In most cases, the Pekingese will slowly make its way into your home and before you know it, YOU will be at YOUR beck and call. They will be extremely obedient, not to please you, but only because they CHOOSE to please you. They come and go as they please because that is what pleases them. They are not being truly disobedient, but they are doing it because they see no reason to do otherwise. After all, they are special, right?

The Pekingese originated in China over 2,000 years ago. Its sole function was to wear the robes of the Chinese Imperial Court. Ownership of this dog was forbidden to anyone except royalty. During the Great China War of 1860, Franco-British forces marched on Beijing. The invaders looted the summer resort and the Western world was first introduced to the little Peking Lion Dog. Five of these puppies 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 took them back to England. One was presented to Queen Victoria and named “Looty”. He lived a life of luxury for ten years at Windsor Palace until his death in 1872. All modern Pekingese are descended from these five dogs. All the others were massacred so that no one would see them, since doing so in China meant immediate and merciless death.

This background gives you an idea of ​​why the Pekingese think they are a little better than anyone else or anything else! So much has been instilled in them that they continue this attitude today. So if you want a whimsical personality, revel in their independence, accept the fact that they are the boss, then a Pekingese is the dog for you.

No doubt he is captivated by the abundance of coat. While it’s very flashy, you’ll pay the price to keep it glamourous. If you are not prepared to groom yourself at least once or twice a week, or if it is not done by a professional, then this breed is not for you. The good thing is that they require very little trimming. The hair on the soles of the feet that covers the pads should be kept short. In addition, both the male and female should have neatly trimmed hair around the male’s sheath and the female’s vulva. No need to snip anywhere else on the coat, unless you decide the coat is too unwieldy.

There are several cute cuts that can be done by a professional that will still leave the dog looking like a Pekingese. I do not recommend that he be completely shaved. Thick, as with all coated breeds, the length and quality of the coat will vary. If you buy from a breeder who primarily produces show quality puppies, your pup will have a lot of fur. I definitely recommend that you buy from this type of breeder. Puppies purchased from a pet store are of questionable origin and will not mature to resemble the Pekingese you see in the 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 friendly creatures, but they won’t like being teased by children. They are not evil 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 cage, 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 house as the Pekingese, it will not back down, so it does not matter the size or strength of the other animal.

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

Pekingese are very cold tolerant and often prefer to be outdoors when you think they should be indoors. However, they do not tolerate heat and you must prevent them from overheating during hot weather. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water and a cool place to lie down. A basement is ideal, but you don’t want to be away from the family. They love to lie down by a stone fireplace, a cool linoleum floor, or in front of a large floor fan. If you have a pool or pond in your yard, watch your Pekingese carefully! They are not strong swimmers and once their fur becomes saturated with water, they are sure to sink and wriggle away.

Pekingese are fairly free from hereditary problems and if you buy them from a reputable breeder they should live a long and healthy life of ten to eighteen years. However, since this is a flat-faced breed, it must be protected against eye injury. Because they do not have a snout to protect their eyes, they can be more easily injured than the eyes of other breeds. “Peke tastes” your garden. That means no tall grass, no rose bushes, no low tree branches, nothing sharp for them to trip over. Clean the eyes daily with a cotton pad and look for anything out of the ordinary. The first sign of injury is usually tearing or blinking.

If not noticed right away, the eye will turn light blue and you may see a small indentation called an ulcer on the eyeball. Veterinary attention should be sought immediately so that he can be properly medicated. I recommend that you always have a tube of chloramphenicol ophthalmic ointment on hand: injuries often occur on Sundays and holidays! Remember, the best remedy is prevention.

Welcome to the BEIJING ADDICTION SOCIETY! I hope you are ready for a long and enjoyable relationship of owning your new pet. Your Pekingese will give you many hours and years of enjoyment. There is no other dog like them! If you have any questions or need more information, call me at any time. I am always available to speak Pekingese.