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Pekingese Dog Breed

Pekingese or Pekinese is an ancient breed of toy dog, originating in China. They were the favored imperial pet. Good-natured and happy, these dogs enjoy family environments, but require regular cleaning if in outdoor environments. Their eyes are very delicate as they sit above the socket rather than within the socket.

These dogs are also called Dogs of Foo (or Fu) by the Chinese, and how much they are revered can be seen in the number of Chinese artworks depicting them. They were considered a guardian spirit as they resembled Chinese lions (see Lion dance). In ancient times, Pekingese were kept by royal Chinese emperors. The emperor's Pekingese was to be treated like royalty. If someone tried to kidnap the Pekingese and the emperor found out, they would commonly have the kidnapper executed.

The Pekingese Appearance

The Pekingese breed is over 2000 years old and has hardly changed in all that time. One exception is that modern breeders and dog-show judges seem to prefer the long-haired type over the more-traditional spaniel-type coat.

All breed standards allow all sorts of color combinations. The most common is gold; this is the color of the majority of Pekingese exhibited. Although the breed once came in a variety of colours, the majority of Pekingese are gold, red or sable. Light gold, cream, black, white, sables, black and tan and occasionally 'blue' or slate grey have appeared in the breed. The latter often has poor pigment and light eyes. Albino Pekingese (white with pink eyes) should be bred catiously due to health problems that have been associated with albinoism.

The Chinese bred them to be companions to the Emperor of China and his ladies and eunuchs. They have short legs that are bowed. It is said that this was done to discourage wandering. However, they can and will keep up with the big dogs when allowed. The bowed legs makes their walk, run, or trot quite striking. The juvenile appearance of the Pekingese has been attributed to the artificial, perhaps inadvertent, paedomorphosis of an "ancestral" form of the dog through breeding.

Pekes weigh from 7 to 14 pounds (3-6 kg) and stand about 6-9 inches (15-23 cm) at the withers.

Pekingese Resources

Pekingese, Peke, Peking Palasthund - DogBreedInfo.com
Information about the  Pekingeses,  Pekingese Dog Breed

Pekingese Dog Breed Info
The Pekingese has a colorful past full of superstition and folklore. Size and Appearance, Pekingese Temperament, Pekingese Recommended Maintenance and more.

Pekingese Dog Breeds on Dog.com
Pekingese dog breeds section gives you all the information about Pekingese that you are looking for including dog supply recommendations.

Top 10 Questions About the Pekingese
Top Ten questions most people are asking about Pekingese

Pekingese: What's Good About 'Em? What's Bad About 'Em?
The Pekingese: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find about the  Pekingese. Terrific information about Pekingese temperament, personality, behavior and serious health problems.

Information About The Pekingese Dog Breed
According to most pekingese dog information, your peke is considered a toy dog. More info from Petcaretips.

Pekingese Club of America

Pekingese PCA Rescue - Pekingese Charitable Foundation
Dedicated to the Well-being of Pekingese Dogs”

Pekingese From AboutUs

Pekingese - Breed Pictures and Photos

Pekingese Puppies, breeders, Pekingeses
Pekingese Puppies For Sale with Breeder listings for purebred puppies and dogs for sale in your area.

 

Pekingese Clubs, Associations, and Societies

 

 

  

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Pekingese History

The breed originated in China in antiquity, in the city of Peking most likely from Asian wolves. Recent DNA analysis confirms that the Pekingese breed is one of the oldest breeds of dog. For centuries, they could be owned only by members of the Chinese Imperial Palace.

During the Second Opium War, in 1860, the Forbidden City was invaded by Allied troops. The Emperor Xianfeng had fled with all of his court. However an elderly aunt of the emperor remained. When the ‘foreign devils’ entered, she committed suicide. She was found with her five Pekingese mourning her passing.

They were removed by the Allies before the Old Summer Palace was burnt. Lord John Hay took a pair, later called ‘Schloff’, and ‘Hytien’ and gave them to his sister, the Duchess of Wellington, wife of Henry Wellesley, 3rd Duke of Wellington. Sir George Fitzroy took another pair, and gave them to his cousins, the Duke and Duchess of Richmond and Gordon. Lieutenant Dunne presented the fifth Pekingese to Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, who named it Looty.

The Empress Dowager Cixi presented Pekingese to several Americans, including John Pierpont Morgan and Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, who named it Manchu.

The first Pekingese in Ireland was introduced by Dr. Heuston. He established smallpox vaccination clinics in China. The effect was dramatic. In gratitude, the Chinese minister, Li Hung Chang presented him with a pair of Pekingese. They were named Chang and Lady Li. Dr. Heuston founded the Greystones kennel.
  

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