Fantastic companions and affectionate family members, Pekingese are sassy sweethearts. Here’s what you need to know about this breed.
Pekingese dogs were originally palace companions to China’s imperial family. They were only introduced to the Western world when the British looted the Chinese palace in 1860 and brought these pups back as treasure.
Today, Pekingese are still treasures to their families and have held fast to their regal air. True to their roots, these dogs can have a touch of self-importance, but are never lacking in lots of love and affection.
Why We Love the Pekingese Breed
- They know that respect must be mutual. If you treat your Pekingese with love and respect, you’ll receive the same tenfold.
- Loyalty is definitely a strong suit of the Pekingese breed. These guys will stay by your side in any situation and do their absolute best to protect you.
- Though they originally lived in a palace, Pekingese can adapt to most living situations. Apartments suit them well if given the opportunity to romp around often.
Things to Consider
- Pekingese like to sound the alarm if they see anything unusual, or sometimes just because. Be prepared for some barking from these little guys.
- This breed is known for being a tad stubborn and doing things its own way. For this reason, Pekingese puppies need to be trained carefully with firm guidance and can be challenging to housebreak.
- They like to rule the roost. A Pekingese dog typically likes to be the head honcho in his home and may not be the best fit for a home with other dogs or children.
Why Rescue?
Irresponsible breeding practices have unfortunately led to a laundry list of relatively common ailments in the Pekingese breed. Health problems include patellar luxation, cataracts, cleft palates, mitral valve disease, exposure keratophathy syndrome and several others. Many of these can sadly be seen as “imperfections” in the breed, sending them to shelters, while others can be costly to overcome. If you think this breed could be the perfect addition to your home, check out shelters first for sweet Pekingese that need your help!
