The Pekingese received its name from the ancient city of Peking, which is now called Beijing. They were considered sacred dogs regarded as a legendary Foo Dog that drove away spirits. They could only be owned by Chinese royalty and were regarded as semi-divine and if you stole one of these dogs you were put to death. People without noble rank had to bow to them. When an emperor died, his Pekingese was sacrificed so that the dog could go with him to give protection in the afterlife. In 1860 the British overtook the Chinese Imperial Palace. Chinese Imperial Guards were ordered to kill the little dogs to prevent them from falling into the hands of the "foreign devils. " Five of the Pekingese survived and were given to Queen Victoria. It was from these five dogs that the modern day Pekingese descended. In 1893 the breed was first shown in Britain. The Pekingese was recognized by the AKC in 1906.
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Pekingeses as Watch Dogs?
The Pekingese dog breed is an ancient toy breed hailing from China. Bred for centuries by nobles and commoners alike, the Pekingese was revered for its resemblance to a lion. The lion was closely linked to Lamaist Buddhism, and consequently so too was the Pekingese. The similarity to a lion was accentuated through centuries of dedicated breeding programs, resulting in the distinctive physical characteristics of this breed. The Pekingese breed was not only bred for appearance, but also for size. The smallest of the breed referred to as “sleeves”, were the most prized. These Pekingese served as guard dogs that were literally stuffed into the sleeves of nobility, hence their name. By the 1800’s Pekingese breeding programs were an official program of the Imperial government. The most widely revered featured prominently in artistic works by Imperial court artists.
Are Pekingeses Aggressive?
Even if this breed of dog can be a bit self-important by the AKC or American Kennel Club, a miniature Pekingese must never be aggressive.
Pekingeses Background
Family and Bonding
Your Pekingese counts on you to take good care of her, and we look forward to working with you to ensure that she lives a long and healthy life. Our goal is to provide the best health care possible: health care that’s based on her breed, lifestyle, and age. Please contact us when you have questions or concerns.
Friendly
Friendliness: The Pekingese dogs are relative friendly dogs. Although they can get along quite well with a family, small children and other pets, these dogs don’t do well with toddlers. The problem is that they demand to be respected, as ‘royalty’ should. Overall, they’re great lapdogs for a reason.
Pekingese Nature
Pekingese dogs are very loyal and brave dogs. Due to their independent nature, they’re recommended for adults that are looking into adopting their first dog. They are also recommended for elder people who are looking for a loyal companion dog.
Intelligence
Apart from its spectacular coat, the facial features of the Pekingese are the most striking. The skull is wider than it is long with a very short muzzle. The eyes are bright, intelligent, and alert, and usually convey an air of suspicion when confronted by a stranger. They are dark, and protrude noticeably from the skull due to the unusual shape of the head. The ears are spaniel-like with very long fringes of hair, which may exaggerate their size. Pekes have black noses and lips, and the lower jaw is often markedly overshot, adding to their distinctive look. Wrinkling of the facial skin is common.
Love
Pekingeses as a Pack Animal
Although they make great friends, not all Pekingese are great with kids. That Peke pride won’t take kindly to rough handling and they can be possessive of food and toys, as well as protective over their owners.
Physical Traits
Males are typically always more lightweight than females, although both are heavier than might be expected given their size. Their heavy bones and robust body are characteristic of the Pekingese.