What To Know About Pekingese

Medically Reviewed by Amy Flowers, DVM on April 28, 2022
Written by Alyssa Anderson
7 min read

Pekingese are small, lively dogs in the toy group. They’re an ancient breed that originated in China. 

They resemble miniature lions thanks to both their coat patterns and their personalities. Pekingese were bred to be lap dogs and are some of the most loyal companions that a person could ask for. They’re suitable for most homes but can be sensitive around young children and other dogs. 

Body size. The Pekingese size is quite small. Unlike with other breeds, there aren’t significant differences between males and females. 

On average, they’re between 6 and 9 inches tall at the shoulder. They shouldn’t weigh any more than 14 pounds. You should consult your veterinarian if your dog is overweight — or if you’re concerned that they’re too small for their age. 

The small size of Pekingese makes for a highly portable pet. You can easily transport them in your car or even carry them around with you as you go about your day. They also need minimal living space and are happy inside small apartments. 

Body shape. Pekingese have stocky, muscular bodies and are surprisingly heavy for their size. They have broad chests, and their front legs are set far apart. Their rear legs are closer together. Their necks are short and thick. 

Other Pekingese traits include large, broad heads that are wider than they are long — like rectangular envelopes. The breed standard used to demand the flattest possible face, but this was changed in 2008 for health reasons. Now the standard calls for a short muzzle ending in a petite nose. 

Pekingese have heart-shaped ears that lie flat against their skulls. Their tails are slightly arched and carried over their backs. They tend to be covered in long, straight fringe. 

All of these traits come together to give these dogs distinct and effortless rolling gaits. They don’t bounce, prance, or hurry. Instead, they maintain a dignified demeanor at most times. 

Lifespan. The average Pekingese lifespan is normal for small dogs. They live around 12 to 14 years. This means that you’ll likely have your pet for a long time — especially if you adopt them as a puppy. 

Coat. Pekingese have double coats — which means that they have two different types of coats, each with its own properties. Their undercoats are thick and soft. Their outercoats are long, coarse, and straight. 

The dogs' coats flare out at their neck and shoulders, which gives them a distinct look — much like a lion’s mane. 

These coats can come in at least 14 acknowledged colors. Some examples include: 

  • Biscuit
  • Black
  • Black and tan
  • Cream
  • Fawn 
  • Red
  • White

 They can also have at least eight different patterns on their coats. Examples include: 

  • White markings
  • Black masks
  • Black muzzles

Eyes. These dogs have large, dark eyes that are set wide apart. They can be deep and luminous. They shouldn’t bulge out of their heads, but they are bold and sparkly. The color of the eyes is black. 

Personality. Pekingese are regal dogs that are incredibly loyal companions. The American Kennel Club (AKC) rates them 5 out of 5 in terms of affection. 

They’re very opinionated pups that are alert to their surroundings — a quality that makes them excellent watchdogs. The Pekingese personality is charming and confident. They’re not inclined to daintiness, delicacy, or timidity. 

If you bring a Pekingese into your home, you’ll add an assertive and unique individual to your family.

Grooming. Pekingese care isn't too difficult — they have moderate grooming needs. You should brush your pet for at least one hour a week to keep their thick coat free of mats and to remove dead hairs. You may want to brush more often during shedding season since these dogs shed a moderate amount too. 

They also need occasional baths. Give them one whenever you feel like it would benefit your pet. 

Clip their nails regularly and brush their teeth often — daily is recommended — to complete their grooming routine. 

Feeding. Always keep fresh water available for your pet. 

Your Pekingese will be fine with high-quality dog food. Find a brand that your dog likes or consult your veterinarian on how to make your own dog food. 

The amount of food you give your dog depends on their age and size. And make sure you know what human foods are safe for your dog to eat before giving them any table scraps. 

Exercise and mental stimulation. Pekingese only have moderate mental and physical needs. Since they’re bred to be ideal companions, they can get plenty of energy following you around on your day. 

They sometimes enjoy canine sports but need to do them at their own pace. 

Lots of attention and a little play around the house will be more than enough to keep your pet Pekingese happy and healthy.  

Veterinary visits, medications, and immunizations. You'll need to talk to your vet to figure out all of the vaccinations that your pet needs. But in general, all dogs should get a core set. 

This includes vaccinations for:

These can begin as early as 6 weeks of age. You can also discuss other, noncore vaccinations with your vet. Some of these are only recommended in certain areas or for particular lifestyles. 

Dosages for flea and tick medications are based on your dog's weight and used as needed. Oral and skin-based applications are available from your veterinarian or other distributors.

Many of these medications can be effective against a variety of pests and parasites, so talk to your vet to figure out the best one for your pet. These days, heartworm medication is also recommended year-round across all parts of the U.S.

As a whole, Pekingese are an incredibly healthy breed. Very few genetic problems linger in their gene pool. 

This means that the American club for this breed doesn’t need to recommend any regular testing. But annual checkups are always a good way to monitor your pet's health. And don’t hesitate to take your pet to the vet if you think something's wrong. 

Some Pekingese health issues include: 

  • Congestive heart failure. This usually develops when they’re at least six years old. Signs of heart disease could include difficulty breathing, fainting, and a decreased desire to exercise. But with early detection and the right medication, your dog can live for years with this condition. 
  • Eye problems. Examples include corneal ulcers, dry eye, and progressive retinal atrophy — which can eventually lead to blindness. Regular eye exams can help your vet detect these problems when they’re still in early stages.   
  • Breathing problems. These are mostly a result of the way the dogs were bred to have flat faces. The breed standard was changed in 2008 to include the obvious presence of a small muzzle — an attempt to correct some of these bred-in problems. 
  • Skinallergies. 

Before adopting a Pekingese, you should keep in mind some special considerations, mostly due to their particular size and shape. 

Because their backs are much longer than their short legs, Pekingese can be vulnerable in this area. You need to be careful to support them when you lift them — make sure one hand is always supporting them near their ribs. And never let them jump from too great a height. 

Their short legs can also make it hard for them to climb stairs — especially in old age. 

Pekingese are also not great with young children. It’s best to keep them away from children until the kids are old enough to distinguish this toy breed from an actual toy. They don’t like roughhousing — either with people or with other dogs. They can also be hesitant around strangers. 

On a positive note, these dogs almost never drool or bark. They make good watchdogs because they're alert and attentive to their surroundings. They’ll only bark if they truly believe that there is a threat nearby. 

Pekingese are such an ancient breed that their exact origins are lost in time. A popular breed legend is that they were made from lions by the Buddha himself. 

A more likely history is that they were bred by Chinese noblemen during a centuries-long effort to create the perfect flat-faced lapdog. Other breeds to come from this effort include the pug and the Shih Tzu.  

Pekingese have had a number of nicknames throughout their history, including: 

  • Lion dogs
  • Sun dogs
  • Sleeve dogs — because they would happily rest in the long sleeves of nobles’ clothing
  • Pelchie dogs
  • Pekes

They were first introduced to the West when the British invaded Peking — modern-day Beijing — during the Opium Wars in the 1860s. 

The Chinese were determined to keep these dogs to themselves and tried to kill them rather than letting the British have them. But when British troops entered the Summer Palace, they found five of the dogs hiding in the emperor’s aunt’s room. She had chosen to kill herself and let the dogs live. 

These five dogs were brought back to England and given as pairs to noble families. The fifth was given to Queen Victoria, who was delighted with her new pet and named him Looty. 

Pekingese made it to America by the late 1890s and were first registered by the AKC in 1906. The breed gained even more fame in 1912 when a Pekingese was one of three dogs to survive when the Titanic sank. 

Today, they’re so popular that they’re commonly used to make designer breeds. An example is the Peke-A-Tese — a cross between the Pekingese and the Maltese.