Pekingese

Size
Small (under 11kg)
Exercise
No daily exercise
Training
No training
Size of home
Apartment – no outdoor
Time at home
Mostly home
Grooming
Frequent
Barking preference
Very quiet
Personality
Very affectionate

History

An ancient Chinese legend tells of a lion that fell in love with a little monkey and was faced with a choice – it could keep its size and power, or sacrifice them for the companionship of the monkey. The lion chose the monkey, and various versions of the legend have the Pekingese as either the lion, having sacrificed its size, or the offspring of the lion and the monkey. Told either way, the legend reflects the proud, noble bearing of the Pekingese.

One of the oldest breeds, the Pekingese is named for the Chinese city of Peking (now Beijing), where the little dogs were kept by members of the Chinese Emperor’s household. Pekingese were seen as sacred dogs, and could only be kept inside the walls of the Forbidden City, the Chinese Imperial Palace built in the 15th century. The penalty for anyone found with a Pekingese outside the walls of the Forbidden City was death.

In 1860, when British and French forces invaded the Forbidden City, it is said that they found five Pekingese guarding the body of an elderly aunt of the Emperor who had chosen to commit suicide rather than face the revolutionaries. Four female and one male Pekingese were taken to England by Lord Hay that year. One of those Pekingese, named ‘Looty’, was given to Queen Victoria, and the others to English nobles who bred them; the breed was first shown in England in 1904. Around the turn of the century, Pekingese were given as gifts to prominent people in several countries, and the breed soon gained popularity around the world.

Characteristics

The Pekingese is small, well-balanced and ‘surprisingly heavy’ when picked up, according to the standard. It should have a sense of dignity and quality, enhanced by a high-set tail, carried slightly curving over the back, with long feathering.

5. Submitted by Kylie Sam Paine. Kellie Jane Photography

Temperament

It is an alert dog, and inquisitive about what is happening around it. When aroused, the Pekingese has a unique expression – its eyes come alive. According to the standard, it is ‘fearless, loyal, aloof but not timid or aggressive’. Loyalty is one of the strongest Pekingese qualities; it would protect anything it thought belonged to it.

Appearance

A leonine appearance is suggested by the thick-set body, distinct waist and long, straight coat with profuse mane forming a cape around the neck. The Pekingese has a coarse topcoat with a thick undercoat, of all colours and marking except albino or liver – particolours are predominantly white and evenly broken. Pigmentation on nose, lips and eye rims must be black.

The head should be large and rectangular, and the broad, wide skull should be flat between the ears. The placement of the ears is important to the appearance of the skull – low ears will lend the skull a ‘domed’ look, while ears set too high will make the head appear square.

The muzzle should be almost as wide as the broadest part of the skull, short, wide and well-cushioned, with a firm, wide underjaw; it should not overhang the chin. The Pekingese nose should be short, broad and black, with large, open nostrils. Eyes should also be very dark, round and lustrous.

For its small size, the Pekingese is surprisingly sturdy. Dogs weigh up to 5kg, and bitches up to 5.4kg.

Maintenance & Suitability

The amount of maintenance your Pekingese requires depends on its coat. Keeping a Pekingese in full coat requires daily brushing and the careful removal of dirt from facial creases and around the eyes. Use a cotton wool ball dipped in warm water and a few drops of gentle shampoo.

Full bathing should be kept to a minimum – once a month is generally sufficient. It can be more simple to keep a non-showing Pekingese trimmed in a ‘puppy cut’; daily brushing is still ideal, but is not as much work, and the short coat makes drying much easier after a bath.

Words: Bruce Marquette, Frances Wickens and Sylvia O'Cass
Image: Michael Trafford Photography

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Pekingese, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Pekingese and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 22 Feb 2017)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Small, well-balanced, moderately thick set with great dignity and quality. Any signs of respiratory distress for any reason or inability to move soundly are unacceptable and should be heavily penalised. Not excessively coated.

Characteristics

Leonine in appearance. Alert and intelligent expression.

Temperament

Fearless, loyal, aloof, not timid or aggressive.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head fairly large, proportionately wider than deep. Skull moderately broad, wide and flat between ears, not domed, wide between eyes. Nose not too short, broad, nostrils large and open. A slight wrinkle, preferably broken, may extend from the cheeks to the bridge of the nose in a wide inverted ‘v’. This must never adversely affect or obscure eyes or nose. Pinched nostrils and heavy over-nose wrinkles are unacceptable and should be heavily penalised. Muzzle must be evident, but may be relatively short and wide. Firm underjaw. Lips not obscuring a well defined chin. Defined stop. Black pigment essential on nose, lips and eye rims.
Eyes	Clear, round, dark lustrous and not too large. Free from obvious eye problems.
Ears	Leather heart-shaped, set level with the skull, carried close to the head and not coming below line of muzzle. Long, profuse feathering.
Mouth	Level lips, must not show teeth or tongue. Firm under-jaw essential.
Neck	Relatively short and thick.
Forequarters	Relatively short, thick, heavily boned forelegs. Bones of forelegs may be slightly bowed between pasterns and elbows accommodating ribs. Elbows should be close to the body. Shoulders laid back and fitting smoothly into the body. Standing well up on feet, not down on pasterns, which should be strong and not too close together. Absolute soundness essential.
Body	Relatively short. Distinct waist. Broad chest and well sprung ribs slung between forelegs. Level topline.
Hindquarters	Hindlegs strong and well muscled but moderately lighter than forequarters. Excessively narrow hindquarters to be heavily penalised. Moderate angulation. Well defined stifles. Firm, low hocks. Strong rear pasterns, parallel when viewed from the rear. Absolute soundness essential.
Feet	Large and flat, not round. Front feet may be slightly turned out. Excessively turned out feet to be heavily penalised. Hind feet point straight ahead.
Tail	Set high, carried tightly, slightly curved over back to either side. Long feathering.
Gait/Movement	Typically slow, dignified, rolling gait in front. Typical movement must not be confused with a roll caused by slackness of shoulders or with other indications of unsoundness. Any slackness of shoulders and elbows, and any indication of unsoundness in feet and pasterns to be heavily penalised. Movement not to be hindered by excessive body coat.
Coat	Moderately long, straight, with mane, not extending beyond shoulders, forming a cape around neck. Top coat coarse with thick, softer undercoat. Feathering on ears, back of legs, tail and toes. Length and volume of coat should neither impair the activity of the dog nor obscure the shapeliness of body. Excessive coat must be heavily penalised.
Colour	All colours and markings are permissible and of equal merit, except albino, liver or merle. Parti-colours evenly broken.
Size	Ideal weightDogs not exceeding 5 kg (11 lbs)Bitches not exceeding 5.4 kg (12 lbs)Dogs should look small but be surprisingly heavy when picked up; heavy bone and a sturdy well-built body are essentials of the breed.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.