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Pekingese or Pekinese is an ancient
breed of toy dog, originating in China. They were the
favored imperial pet. Good-natured and happy, these dogs
enjoy family environments, but require regular cleaning if
in outdoor environments. Their eyes are very delicate as
they sit above the socket rather than within the socket.
These dogs are also called Dogs of Foo (or Fu) by the
Chinese, and how much they are revered can be seen in the
number of Chinese artworks depicting them. They were
considered a guardian spirit as they resembled Chinese lions
(see Lion dance). In ancient times, Pekingese were kept by
royal Chinese emperors. The emperor's Pekingese was to be
treated like royalty. If someone tried to kidnap the
Pekingese and the emperor found out, they would commonly
have the kidnapper executed.
The Pekingese Appearance The
Pekingese breed is over 2000 years old and has hardly
changed in all that time. One exception is that modern
breeders and dog-show judges seem to prefer the long-haired
type over the more-traditional spaniel-type coat.
All breed standards allow all sorts of color combinations.
The most common is gold; this is the color of the majority
of Pekingese exhibited. Although the breed once came in a
variety of colours, the majority of Pekingese are gold, red
or sable. Light gold, cream, black, white, sables, black and
tan and occasionally 'blue' or slate grey have appeared in
the breed. The latter often has poor pigment and light eyes.
Albino Pekingese (white with pink eyes) should be bred
catiously due to health problems that have been associated
with albinoism.
The Chinese bred them to be companions to the Emperor of
China and his ladies and eunuchs. They have short legs that
are bowed. It is said that this was done to discourage
wandering. However, they can and will keep up with the big
dogs when allowed. The bowed legs makes their walk, run, or
trot quite striking. The juvenile appearance of the
Pekingese has been attributed to the artificial, perhaps
inadvertent, paedomorphosis of an "ancestral" form of the
dog through breeding.
Pekes weigh from 7 to 14 pounds (3-6 kg) and stand about 6-9
inches (15-23 cm) at the withers.
Pekingese Resources
Pekingese, Peke, Peking Palasthund -
DogBreedInfo.com
Information about the Pekingeses,
Pekingese Dog Breed
Pekingese Dog Breed Info
The Pekingese has a colorful past full of superstition and
folklore. Size and Appearance, Pekingese Temperament,
Pekingese Recommended Maintenance and more.
Pekingese Dog Breeds on Dog.com
Pekingese dog breeds section gives you all the information
about Pekingese that you are looking for including dog
supply recommendations.
Top 10 Questions About the Pekingese
Top Ten questions most people are asking
about Pekingese
Pekingese: What's Good About 'Em? What's Bad About 'Em?
The Pekingese: the most honest dog breed
review you'll ever find about the Pekingese. Terrific
information about Pekingese temperament, personality,
behavior and serious health problems.
Information About The Pekingese Dog Breed
According to most pekingese dog information, your peke is
considered a toy dog. More info from Petcaretips.
Pekingese Club of America
Pekingese
PCA Rescue - Pekingese Charitable Foundation
Dedicated to the Well-being of Pekingese
Dogs”
Pekingese From AboutUs
Pekingese - Breed Pictures and Photos
Pekingese Puppies, breeders, Pekingeses
Pekingese Puppies For Sale with Breeder listings for
purebred puppies and dogs for sale in your area.
Pekingese Clubs, Associations,
and Societies
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Pekingese History
The breed originated in China in
antiquity, in the city of Peking most likely from Asian
wolves. Recent DNA analysis confirms that the Pekingese
breed is one of the oldest breeds of dog. For centuries,
they could be owned only by members of the Chinese Imperial
Palace.
During the Second Opium War, in
1860, the Forbidden City was invaded by Allied troops. The
Emperor Xianfeng had fled with all of his court. However an
elderly aunt of the emperor remained. When the ‘foreign
devils’ entered, she committed suicide. She was found with
her five Pekingese mourning her passing.
They were removed by the Allies
before the Old Summer Palace was burnt. Lord John Hay took a
pair, later called ‘Schloff’, and ‘Hytien’ and gave them to
his sister, the Duchess of Wellington, wife of Henry
Wellesley, 3rd Duke of Wellington. Sir George Fitzroy took
another pair, and gave them to his cousins, the Duke and
Duchess of Richmond and Gordon. Lieutenant Dunne presented
the fifth Pekingese to Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom,
who named it Looty.
The Empress Dowager Cixi
presented Pekingese to several Americans, including John
Pierpont Morgan and Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth, daughter
of Theodore Roosevelt, who named it Manchu.
The first Pekingese in Ireland
was introduced by Dr. Heuston. He established smallpox
vaccination clinics in China. The effect was dramatic. In
gratitude, the Chinese minister, Li Hung Chang presented him
with a pair of Pekingese. They were named Chang and Lady Li.
Dr. Heuston founded the Greystones kennel.
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