GROUP 1 - TOYS

Brief History
Legend says the Pekingese was formed and fashioned by Buddha himself when he took a lion and shrunk him into a small dog. Like the lion, he wanted a mane of hair, and a creature of courage and dignity. So ancient is this breed, we will never know his true origins, but one parallel can be drawn from this fanciful tale. The Pekingese’s forebears were certainly much larger dogs that were bred down to toy size, not by Buddha, but by his servants on earth, the Emperors and his courtiers.

The Pekingese was considered only fit for royalty and remained a closely guarded secret to the West until the 1860’s. The Opium Wars saw the siege of the Emperor’s Summer Palace. Looting and combat followed and many of the house took their own lives and those of their sacred dogs. Five of the Emperor’s dead aunt’s dogs were found concealing themselves behind swathes of draperies. They were taken to England and enthusiastically embraced by Queen Victoria.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 10 to 15 years.

Temperament
The Pekingese seems to be aware that he is a dog of imperial ancestry. He surveys his kingdom with an air of aloofness and dignity, although occasionally they do ‘let their hair down’ and have a jolly good romp. It is not until you have lived with a Pekingese that you can truly appreciate his charm. Their aristocratic, aloof, regal façade conceals an enormous personality that is comical, quaint, determined and very affectionate. These are very alert little watch dogs and will sound an alarm bark much more imposing than their size.

General Breed Description
The Pekingese is a very compact thickset dog of oriental origin who is surprisingly heavy for his size. His flattish face and large eyes framed by a mane of hair give him a lion like image, implying courage, boldness and self-esteem rather than daintiness or delicacy. He moves in a dignified manner with well feathered tail carried over his back. His glorious coat, which can come in many colours, is all part of his enduring appeal and popularity.

Coat and Care Requirements
The thick double coat of the Pekingese requires a good bit of maintenance. Pekingese shed seasonally. Brushing him at least one hour per week will help to remove loose hairs and prevent matting, and an occasional bath will help to keep him looking his best. Mats or tangles can be gently worked out with a slicker brush or metal comb. Alternatively, the companion Pekingese can be clipped back to an inch all over, which makes grooming easy. It is important to clean around the eyes and the creases on the face to prevent problems on a daily basis. Also maintain the cleanliness of the fur around the buttocks of the Pekingese for hygiene and comfort.

Size
Weight: Males 5kgs or less, Females 5.4kgs or less.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Pekingese is generally a healthy breed however, health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include luxating patellas, heart and eye issues and respiratory complications.

Suitability
Pekingese are great family dogs and are agreeable with children, so long as they are not too boisterous with them; as with any dog, children should be supervised to ensure gentle and kind play. Pekingese are generally amenable with other dogs and pets but should be socialised early on in life and exposed to new people and different situations. Pekingese are devoted to their family. Whilst intelligent, the Pekingese is also shrewd, thus training requires patience. He is definitely an indoors companion and needs a cool space to relax and lull during very hot and humid weather. Pekingese are not prone to be nuisance chewers or diggers.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard:  https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/29