| Pekingese: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Pekingese personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Pekingese, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard says the Pekingese "should imply courage, boldness, and self-esteem rather than prettiness, daintiness, or delicacy."
Indeed, the Peke is dignified, supremely confident, and one of the most independent (and stubborn) of the toy breeds.
Calm and quiet indoors, he lies on the sofa cushions much of the time, observing his kingdom with his direct, inscrutable gaze. Yet he will also surprise you with sudden bursts of playfulness.
Most Pekingese are loyal to their owner without being cloying, undemonstrative (or polite) with strangers, usually accepting of other animals.
This proud, self-possessed dog won't meekly submit to mischief or rough handling from anyone. He can be exasperatingly willful, but also sensitive, and resents being jerked around or even scolded. However, if he respects you, he will be well-mannered without much formal training required.
The Pekingese can be possessive of his food and toys. With his short face, he is a master of the four S's: snorting, snuffling, sneezing, and snoring."
History
Considered sacred by the Chinese Tang dynasty, the Pekingese was one of the possessions looted by the British when they invaded the Peking Imperial Palace.
Size
8-9 inches and 7-14 lbs |
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Pekingese
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- There are energetic Pekingese, and placid Pekingese.
- Hard-headed Pekingese, and sweet-natured Pekingese.
- Serious Pekingese, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Pekingese, and Pekingese who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Pekingese puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed...
- Is small but extremely sturdy, even chunky in build
- Has a very short face, large expressive eyes, and a long thick coat that comes in many colors
- Is one of the most dignified, supremely confident, and independent of the toy breeds
- Is calm and quiet indoors and doesn't need much exercise
- Is polite with strangers and usually accepting of other animals
- If he respects you, will be well-mannered without much formal training required
A Pekingese may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Snorting, snuffling, wheezing, loud snoring
- Regular brushing and combing
- Heavy shedding
- Slowness to housebreak
- Gassiness (flatulence)
- A multitude of health problems
A Pekingese may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Pekingese... |
My major concerns would be:
- The strong temperament. Pekingese are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Many Pekingese are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
| To teach your Pekingese to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Pekingese Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Lots of grooming. Without frequent brushing and combing, Pekingese become a matted mess.
- Heavy shedding. Pekingese shed a LOT. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life. Make sure you're REALLY up for this.
- Housebreaking. Toy breeds are almost always difficult to housebreak. It is so easy for them to sneak behind a chair or under a small table, and it takes only a few seconds for the deed to be done. The results can be hard to see. When you don't see it, you don't correct it -- and so the bad habit becomes established. If you hope to housebreak a toy breed, consistent crate training is mandatory. Pekingese should not be loosed in the house for many months, until their small internal organs become strong enough for reliable control.
- Pekingese sounds. Because of the short face, Pekingese snort, snuffle, wheeze, grunt, and snore loudly. The sounds are endearing to some people; nerve-wracking to others.
- Gassiness (flatulence) that can send you running for cover. Fortunately, Pekingese who are fed a natural diet of real meat and other fresh foods have much less trouble with gassiness. See my Pekingese Health Page for more information.
- Serious health problems. The biggest problem with Pekingese is health. This breed has been grossly deformed by modern breeders. The unnaturally short face and upturned nose means breathing difficulties and the potential for heatstroke in hot humid weather. Their compromised respiratory system makes it risky to anesthetize them. Most of these dogs can't even whelp their puppies without veterinary intervention.
The large shallow-set eyes are extremely vulnerable to injury and infection. The long back is susceptible to disk problems. Pekingese are also prone to joint problems, skin problems, and allergies.
In my opinion, what has been done to this breed's structure and health in order to create an amusing appearance and to win in the show ring is a travesty.
| To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Pekingese Health Page. |
| If you're considering an adult Pekingese... |
There are plenty of adult Pekingese who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2006 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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