The Pekingese is a small dog with a flat nose and leonine appearance. They were once considered sacred animals and part of Asian roy alty. Currently they are very popular animals in almost everyone and their soft coat is an invitation to pet them.
If you are considering adopting a Pekingese dog, it is important that you first find out about its characteristics, character or behavior as an adult.
In this tab of PlanèteAnimal, we will explain in detail everything you need to know about the Pekingese and the care it requires. Feel free to comment and share your photos or questions!
Origin
- Asia
- China
FCI Nomenclature
- Group IX
Physical Characteristics
- Rustic
- Muscular
Size
- Little
Height
- 35-45
Adult Weight
- 3-10
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- Low
Character
- Shy
- Passive
- Quiet
- Dominant
Ideal for
- Apartment
- House
- The guard
- Elderly people
Recommended climate
- Cold
Hair type
- Long
- Smooth
- End
Origin of Pekingese
The Pekingese was a dog revered by Buddhist monks in China because its physical characteristics are very similar to those of the lion of Fu, a mythical animal in the Buddhist tradition. Because of this, dogs were looked after by roy alty and only nobles could have a Pekingese, such was the devotion to this breed, which sometimes even had human servants.
In 1860, during the Second Opium War, Anglo-French troops looted and burned the Beijing Summer Palace shortly after Chinese Emperor Xianfeng fled.Fortunately, before setting fire to it, they rescued (or rather captured) five Pekingese dogs that lived in this palace. These five dogs were taken to England, where they were given to nobles and aristocrats. One of them even passed into the hands of Queen Victoria of England.
These five dogs were the ancestors of the current Pekingese population, since the other Pekingese in China died or were hidden by the population, without any proof of their descent. From then on in the UK sponsorship of the breed began and its popularity has continued to grow to this day.
Physical characteristics of the Pekingese
The body of the Pekingese is small, moderately robust and relatively short. The waist is well marked and the top line is leveled. The chest is broad and its ribs are very arched. The head of this dog is very striking in its size and leonine appearance.She is tall and wide. The skull is flattened between the ears and the stop is well defined. The muzzle is short. The eyes are dark, round and shiny. The ears are heart-shaped hanging down the sides of the head.
The tail, of high insertion and rigid support, curves on the back and on one of the sides. It is covered with abundant long bangs. The Pekingese has a double coat. The outer coat is profuse, straight, long and rough. The inner fleece is dense and soft. According to the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) standard, all body and mask colors are acceptable, including different colored spots, with the exception of liver color and albino dogs.
The FCI breed standard does not indicate a specific size, but it does indicate that the ideal weight should not exceed 5 kg in males or 5.4 kg in females. Also, dogs should be small enough to appear heavy for their size.
Character of Pekingese
The temperament of these dogs is very characteristic of the breed. Pekingese are loyal and very brave dogs despite their small size. However, they are also independent and reserved. These small Chinese dogs do not socialize as easily as dogs of other breeds. They tend to be very loyal to their own, but wary of strangers. These dogs are excellent pets for seniors and sedentary families. They can also be good pets for new owners.
Pekingese Care
The care of his coat takes time because the Pekingese must be brushed once a day. You should also clean the wrinkles from his muzzle with a damp cloth and dry everything well to avoid skin infections. It is advisable to wash it at least once a month.
In return, this dog doesn't need a lot of exercise.He usually just needs two daily walks of 15 to 20 minutes, short or moderate, and light play time. In general, the Pekingese is a quiet dog that prefers quiet time. However, it is important to take him for a walk so that he can socialize and get a little exercise.
Remember that due to its flattened muzzle, the Pekingese dog is prone to heatstroke. We will therefore avoid walking for hours in direct sunlight, making him do demanding physical activities as well as long uninterrupted walks. During excursions in the mountains or when we go to the beach, it is advisable to bring fresh water and a transport bag or a travel bag that allows us to take him on his back if he gets tired or gets tired. he's having trouble breathing.
We will be careful with the food, whether homemade or commercial, making sure to give it an amount adapted to the weight and age of your dog because this breed is susceptible to obesity.We can also bet on low calorie treats.
" The need for companionship is something else. Although this breed is very independent, the Pekingese is not a dog that can live in isolation because it can develop what is called separation anxiety. He can spend more time alone than other companion dogs, but most of the time he will need to spend time with his family. The advantage, for those who don&39;t want a Velcro dog, is that for the Pekingese just being in the same room as their owners is enough, he is not a dog that needs to be constantly caressed. This dog adapts very well to life in small apartments."
Pekingese Education
Traditionally, Pekingese were considered stubborn and difficult to train. Many trainers even considered them silly dogs. However, this has more to do with the training techniques employed than the intelligence of the Pekingese.
These dogs can be easily trained to have good manners and respond to many canine obedience commands when trained using positive reinforcement. It is very important to socialize him from an early age so that he establishes good relationships with other people, pets and the environment. Even so, they will never be as social as other companion dogs.
As very independent and reserved dogs, Pekingese tend to develop behaviors that can be problematic if not trained properly. The use of punishment or a lack of attention to the animal can cause it to develop barking behavior, destructive behavior and even aggressive impulses. The adoption of this dog must be considered and we must be sure that we can provide him with a good education as well as the companionship and affection that he requires.
It is important to note that if we work with our Pekingese dog on a regular basis, we can have a sociable and even affectionate best friend by our side. We must not allow ourselves to be influenced literally by the standards of behavior of the breed, but we must think about offering him a good education and guiding him towards a behavior that we like.
Finally, to improve his mental stimulation, we recommend that you spend time with him practicing obedience, canine skills, intelligence games and, ultimately, enriching his daily life to avoid problems behavior while improving your relationship.
Beijing He alth
Because of its lack of genetic variety, the Pekingese is likely to suffer from several hereditary diseases:
- Trichiasis
- Waterfalls
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Discystitis
- Ethnic Nostril
- Palace problems
- Degeneration of intervertebral discs
- Patellar dislocation
- Urinary Stones
However, by regularly going to the specialist and providing them with quality care, it is possible to quickly detect any problem and enjoy a he althy dog. The life expectancy of the Pekingese is about 11 years, although it is increasing every year thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, food and care.
We must never forget the importance of accurately following the vaccination schedule to prevent serious viral or bacterial illnesses, as well as regularly monitoring the dog's internal and external deworming.
Pictures of Pekingese
