Pekingese: Your Complete Guide
Pekingese are toy-sized pups who are famous for their larger-than-life confidence, comical antics, and dignified natures. They’re also incredibly affectionate and can adapt to a whole range of households as long as their needs are met.
Pekingese are often nicknamed “little lions,” and this isn’t just because of their feisty hearts — they resemble lions too, with their gorgeous full manes, sturdy builds, and gold-red coats.
While these pups can make wonderful forever companions, they aren’t a good fit for every family. Our article will help you determine if this toy breed is right for you. We’ll discuss their general characteristics, care needs, and what kinds of people and homes they’re compatible with.
Quick Look at the Pekingese
Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 6 to 9 inches tall, weighing up to 14 pounds |
| Coat Type | Long double coat |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Loyal, affectionate, dignified, spritely, confident |
| Good With Kids | |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits |  |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years |
What Is the History of Pekingese?
The Pekingese’s history can be traced all the way back to ancient China over 2,000 years ago, where they were initially developed to be devoted companions (and lap dogs) for Chinese royalty. They were seen as a symbol of nobility and wealth, and at first, only members of the Chinese Imperial Palace were permitted to own them.
Pekingese were also selectively bred to resemble Chinese guardian lions, mythical creatures who were associated with protection and fortune. Today, they still retain many of these “lion-like” features, including their adorable fluffy manes.
Unsurprisingly, the Pekingese was one of the first breeds to be recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). They were granted official status in 1906. They still make excellent companion dogs and have gained popularity all across the world.
What Do Pekingese Look Like?
The Pekingese is a compact dog with a stocky, muscular appearance. They have a noticeably broad chest, short bowed legs, and a pear-shaped body that’s low to the ground. Their most distinguishing feature is their long double coat, which creates a thick, lion-like mane of fur around their neck.
The Pekingese also has a short, flat face. In other words, they are brachycephalic dogs. While this physical trait is endearing and gives them a teddy bear-like look, it does bring with it some health complications, which we’ll touch more on later.
A Pekingese’s coat can come in a range of different shades, though the most common colors include red, sable, brindle, fawn, tan, and biscuit. Many Pekingese dogs also have black markings on their muzzles.
What Size Is a Pekingese?
The Pekingese is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. They only weigh up to 14 pounds and stand 6 to 9 inches tall at the withers. Males are typically larger than females by a few pounds. However, a Pekingese’s size ultimately depends on their genetics, health, diet, and activity level.
Pekingese dogs are fast-growing and typically reach their full-grown adult size at around 9 to 12 months of age. Because of their rapid growth and small size, they are prone to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) as puppies. Ensure you feed them regular, small meals throughout the day to help regulate their blood sugar levels.
What Is a Pekingese’s Coat Type and Length?
A Pekingese has a thick, long double coat that consists of a coarse, straight top coat and soft, dense undercoat. Their coat naturally forms a mane around their neck and shoulders, and they also have noticeable feathering on their legs, ears, and tail.
What Is a Pekingese’s Temperament?
The Pekingese was bred for royalty, so it should come as no surprise that this pup is dignified, loyal, and confident. They also thrive on plenty of attention and are sure to give their loved ones the royal treatment, always ready to give and receive affection.
The Pekingese is typically laidback and quiet within the home. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t make an excellent playmate — throw some toys into the mix, and they’ll get up to all sorts of comical antics.
While devoted, this pup does have a mind of their own and can be strong-willed. This can present as stubbornness, particularly during training sessions. They’ll need an owner who can be persistent, patient, and firm in training.
Are Pekingese Good With Kids?
Pekingese are typically good with kids, but just be mindful that they aren’t too tolerant of roughhousing and will need to have their small builds respected. Boisterous play can leave them with injuries.
If you are considering bringing a Pekingese into a home with young kids, make sure to supervise their interactions together closely. You should also teach your kids how to properly handle animals and play with them carefully.
Are Pekingese Good With Other Animals?
Pekingese aren’t the most sociable of pups, but they do generally get along well with other pets. Since they were bred solely for companionship, they don’t have high prey drives and aren’t likely to disturb other animals.
That said, Pekingese shouldn’t be kept with large, boisterous breeds. As we touched on earlier, their bodies are fragile, and interactions with breeds much larger than them can put them at risk of getting hurt.
Are Pekingese Aggressive?
Pekingese aren’t more prone to aggression than other breeds. They’re generally very gentle and rarely ever resort to behaviors like snapping, growling, and biting. However, they are strong-willed and may engage in destructive behaviors if their needs aren’t met.
Always ensure your Pekingese is getting enough exercise, attention, and mental stimulation in their day-to-day life.
Training and socialization can also help keep aggressive behaviors at bay. Make sure to use positive reinforcement (reward-based) training measures; research has consistently shown that punishments exacerbate aggression in dogs.
If your Pekingese is exhibiting aggressive behavior, don’t be afraid to seek help from a professional. You can connect with a qualified, reputable dog behaviorist or trainer in your area through Dog Academy’s platform. Alternatively, you can ask your local veterinarian or other dog parents in your area for recommendations.
Do Pekingese Bark?
Pekingese aren’t as vocal as the likes of Siberian huskies and beagles, but expect them to bark when they’re excited, bored, or trying to alert you of something (or someone).
While it’s not possible to curb your pup’s barking entirely, training and ensuring all their needs are met can help keep their barking at a minimum.
Are Pekingese Affectionate?
Pekingese take time to warm up to people, but when they’ve formed a close bond, they’re incredibly affectionate pups who love to cuddle. They also enjoy snuggling up on their owners’ laps.
Because these pups form such close bonds with their owners, they can struggle with separation anxiety when left alone for long periods. They are best suited to families who can be at home throughout the day.
Are Pekingese Intelligent?
Pekingese are some of the smartest pups in the world. They’re also alert and incredibly attuned to their owners’ emotions. They can pick up on even the slightest of mood shifts, often before their owners are even aware of their mood changes themselves!
Pekingese are also intuitive and independent-minded — both qualities that make them excellent problem solvers. They thrive at puzzle games and practically any other challenge you throw their way.
Are Pekingese Energetic?
Pekingese typically have low to moderate energy levels. Most are content with 30 minutes of exercise per day in the form of easygoing activities, like walks and gentle play sessions.
While Pekingese are spritely and would definitely never turn down more vigorous activities, it’s best to avoid taking them on long hikes or runs. They are prone to breathing difficulties due to their flattened faces, and excessive exercise can exacerbate these breathing issues.
Are Pekingese Easy to Train?
Pekingese are intelligent pups who can definitely pick up advanced obedience commands and tricks. However, they’re often stubborn and strong-willed, so training them can be quite the challenge.
Pekingese respond well to clicker training, high-value rewards (like treats and praise), and interactive training games. You can also set them up for success by breaking down lengthy training sessions into short, more manageable bits.
Be patient with Pekingese dogs, no matter how little progress you feel is being made in training. They’re sensitive to harsh disciplines, and getting frustrated will leave them feeling anxious and stressed.
Are Pekingese Good Watchdogs?
While small in stature, the Pekingese can still make a great watchdog. They’re naturally perceptive and often alert their owner to potential threats or intruders. They’re also confident and courageous.
However, just be mindful that the Pekingese’s role is solely to alert you — their adorable appearance isn’t exactly going to scare away any threats.
Are Pekingese Good Service Dogs?
Pekingese dogs are affectionate, intelligent, and loving. They’re also fiercely loyal and sensitive to their owners’ emotions. While these qualities mean they can make excellent emotional support animals, Pekingese aren’t the best fit for service dog work.
Unfortunately, they’re notoriously stubborn and tend to be more difficult to train than other breeds. This means they may not perform their trained commands reliably, which is a vital quality needed for service dog work.
Pekingese are also often wary around strangers, and may find navigating busy public spaces difficult.
How to Care for a Pekingese?
Caring for a Pekingese can be challenging, particularly when you have to navigate their stubbornness. However, the effort involved is definitely worth it. You’ll gain a lifelong companion who will see you as their best friend and show their appreciation through endless affection.
Basic care needs include exercising them daily, taking them to vet checkups, and feeding them size-appropriate dog food. They also need plenty of mental stimulation and attention throughout the day to help them feel comfortable and happy.
Be sure to also socialize your Pekingese from an early age, ideally as soon as you take them home with you. Socialization exposes them to the world in a healthy, safe manner and allows them to flourish into a confident dog.
On top of this, you should also make it a habit to groom their coats regularly.
Do You Need to Groom a Pekingese?
The Pekingese has a long, thick double coat that requires a lot of grooming to keep it in good condition. Brush your Pekingese at least three times a week or daily during times of heavy shedding. Use a high-quality slicker brush to effectively remove mats, tangles, and dead hair.
You should also wash your Pekingese’s coat once every four to six weeks or whenever their fur gets visibly dirty. Use dog-friendly shampoo to prevent their skin from becoming irritated.
The Pekingese often struggles with bath time, so it’s important you get them accustomed to the experience. Introduce them to the bath gradually and incorporate high-value treats to make the process positive for your pup.
Other grooming responsibilities include brushing their teeth daily, ensuring their nails are kept well-trimmed, and taking them to a professional groomer every month for a clip.
Do Pekingese Shed?
The Pekingese has a thick, long double coat, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that they shed moderately throughout the year. They also have periods of heavier shedding during spring and fall.
What Health Problems Do Pekingese Have?
The Pekingese is generally a healthy dog, but as is the case for any breed, they are prone to certain health complications. Some of the most common health issues the Pekingese experiences include brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, progressive retinal atrophy, dry eye, and patellar luxation.
Always take your Pekingese to their regular vet checkups, as this will ensure any health problems are detected early on.
Below is an overview of the health conditions that Pekingese are prone to developing.
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome is a condition that’s caused by the Pekingese’s short muzzle and flattened nose. Dogs with BOAS have breathing difficulties and exhibit symptoms such as noisy breathing, gagging, retching, snoring, exercise intolerance, and coughing.
BOAS can be managed with lifestyle changes and, in severe instances, surgery to open up the nostrils and allow for more air to enter.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Progressive retinal atrophy is a genetic condition that causes deterioration of the retina in the eye. While painless, this condition eventually leads to total blindness. The main symptoms of PRA include dilated pupils, bumping into objects, reluctance to go downstairs, and night blindness.
There is no known cure, but Pekingese often adapt well to the loss of vision with support and love.
Dry eye
When a dog’s tear glands stop functioning properly, it causes their eyes to become irritated, red, and painful. Dry eye can usually be easily managed with topical lubricants and special medication that stimulates tear production.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation occurs when a Pekingese’s kneecap pops out of its normal, natural groove. Some of the key symptoms of patellar luxation are a skipping gait, exercise intolerance, and lameness.
Patellar luxation can usually be treated with weight management, physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, and surgical intervention.
How Long Do Pekingese Live?
The Pekingese typically leads a long life, with the average life expectancy of the breed being 12 to 14 years. While there is no easy way to predict how long your Pekingese will live, you can increase the odds of them leading a long life by ensuring their needs are met.
What Should a Pekingese Eat?
The Pekingese typically needs ½ to ¾ cups of dry dog food per day, with the food split into two small meals. The food should be rich in protein and carefully formulated for toy breeds. Good sources of protein include chicken, beef, fish, and duck.
Is a Pekingese the Right Dog for Me?
The Pekingese is a gentle, loving, and spritely pup who makes a wonderful family companion if cared for properly. Their small, compact size also means they can adapt well to apartments.
However, the Pekingese does have a high-maintenance coat, and they can also be difficult to train because of their stubborn streak.
The Pekingese may be the right companion for people who:
- Have previous dog ownership experience
- Enjoy a good challenge and can be patient during training
- Appreciate an affectionate lapdog
- Have the time and dedication to groom a dog’s coat regularly
- Lead a relatively laidback lifestyle
You may want to consider another toy breed if you:
- Are a first-time owner
- Live a very active life (the Pekingese can’t tolerate vigorous exercise)
- Have boisterous young kids
We hope we’ve helped make it easier to decide if a Pekingese is right for you!