Pekingese

History & Health

History

The earliest known record of a dog resembling the Pekingese dates to the T'ang Dynasty of the 8th century. These small dogs were treated as sacred by the Chinese and could only be owned by members of the imperial family, who pampered them beyond reason and kept their bloodlines pure. So revered were the small fluffy dogs that their likenesses were carved in ivory and bronze and studded with precious gems, and theft of a Pekingese was punishable by death. The Peke was at its height of popularity in China between 1821 and 1851, during the Tao Kuang period. There were thousands of them in the various Chinese palaces. The breed was introduced to the western world in 1860, after the British invaded the Imperial Palace at Peking (Beijing). Most members of the royal court fled, taking their dogs with them, if they could. Other Pekingese were less fortunate and were killed by their owners before the invading soldiers arrived, to keep them out of enemy hands.
Legend has it that three young British officers (Captain John Hart Dunne, Lord John Hay and Sir George Fitzroy) looted a closed apartment in a deserted pavilion and found five Pekingese "guarding" the body of the Emperor's aunt, who had committed suicide as the British troops approached. Hay and Fitzroy supposedly each kept a pair of these dogs, and Dunne took one, which he named "Lootie." When the troops returned to England, Dunne gave Lootie to Queen Victoria as a gift. Despite this often-told tale, Captain Dunne's diary is probably more accurate. He wrote that he went to a French army camp to buy looted goods (called "trifles") and there purchased "a pretty little dog, smaller than any King Charles, a real Chinese sleeve dog. It has silver bells around its neck." This is the dog he gave to the Queen, claiming to have found it in the Palace of Yuan-Ming. The other four Pekingese were probably obtained in much the same fashion, since neither Hay nor Fitzroy participated in the attack on the Palace.
After the sacking of Peking, the royal court returned and re-established itself under the patronage of Empress Tzu His. She made a serious attempt to save China's Pekingese. However, when she died in 1908, her kennels were disbanded, thus ending the history of the Pekingese in its homeland. In 1893, a Pekingese owned by Mrs. Loftus Allen was exhibited at the Chester dog show in England. So unusual was the dog that it aroused great interest among English dog fanciers. Additional Pekingese trickled into England, Ireland and France in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and toy dog owners became enamored with the breed. Three Pekingese - Ah Cum, Mimosa and Boxer - are credited with being the foundation of the breed in England.
The American Kennel Club first recognized the Pekingese in 1906. Today's Pekingese is a bit shorter in leg, flatter in face and more abundant in coat than his ancestors. Otherwise than these minor exaggerations, the modern Peke remains virtually unchanged: he is unmistakably dignified, exasperatingly stubborn, independent and aloof, calm and basically good-tempered, neither aggressive nor timid and condescending but still cordial toward strangers. To his closest friends and family, he is affectionate and can even be playful. The Pekingese enjoys a good romp and a walk about town, but he prefers pillows, pampering and prolonged napping over physical exertion.

Health

The average life span of the Pekingese is 10 to 12 years. Breed health concerns may include brachycephalic upper airway syndrome, degenerative heart valve disease, patellar luxation, pododermatitis, intertrigo (facial fold), pyloric stenosis (adult-onset pyloric hypertrophy syndrome), congenital elbow luxation, odontoid process dysplasia, perineal hernia, intervertebral disc disease, hydrocephalus, atlantoaxial subluxation, entropion, keratoconjunctivitis sicca ("dry eye"), corneal ulceration, proptosis, achondroplasia (genetic dwarfism; accepted as a breed standard), cryptorchidism, trichiasis and ulcerative keratitis. The breed's prominent eyes are prone to injury.

Temperament & Personality

Personality

The Pekingese originated in the Imperial courts of China. They were held in high regard and often given as gifts among the nobility. This regal air is still common in modern Pekingese, who believe themselves to be royalty, and expect their families to treat them as nobility and not helpless lap dogs. According to the AKC Standard, Pekingese "should imply courage, boldness, and self-esteem rather than prettiness, daintiness, or delicacy." Pekingese make excellent companions for older people who have the time to devote all of their attention to their dog, as this breed demands a lot of attention. They adore their immediate family but are wary of strangers, which makes them excellent little watchdogs.

Activity Requirements

Pekingese can be happy in a big home or an apartment, as they don't need a lot of vigorous activity to maintain health and happiness. They like to take walks, proudly strutting their stuff around the neighborhood, and will love playing outdoors, but as they get older they become less playful.

Trainability

Pekingese are notoriously difficult to train. They believe they are in charge of the home, and many owners have a tendency to treat them this way. This can lead to near-impossible training sessions. You must begin early with your Pekingese, establish leadership and a chain of command with you at t the top. Trying to train this breed when they have established themselves as the leader of the pack is almost always futile. Food is an excellent motivator, as is lots of excited praise. Keep sessions short and vary the activities in order to hold his intereest.

Behavioral Traits

Pekingese are not recommended for families with small children. They are possessive of their toys and food and can snap or bite toddlers who do not understand how to respect a dog's boundaries. They demand a lot of attention and can become resentful of children who may take the focus away from them.
Pekingese are generally well-behaved, but they are prone to barking. They will bark at people, animals, cars, and leaves blowing across the yard. When left alone for long periods of time, their barking can get out of hand. It is recommended that people who work long hours not adopt a Pekingese. They are better suited for retirees or families with a stay at home or work at home parent.
It can be easy to shelter a Pekingese. They are tiny and people love to carry them and tote them around in purses. You must walk a fine line, though. Over-sheltered Pekingese can become very high strung. It is important to give your Pekingese independence. Let him walk on a leash rather than tote him around in a bag and socialize him around people and other animals so that he knows how to greet and be greeted with proper manners.