Pekingese

Pekingese

An ancient Chinese legend states that the Pekingese is the product of a cross between a marmoset monkey and a lion, who begged Ah Chu, the patron saint of animals, to reduce him in size so that he could marry his monkey love. Indeed, this breed does look a little like a tiny monkey-faced lion, and is known as the "little lion dog."

History:

The Pekingese is one of the most ancient breeds; it has been in China for a very long time. Pekingese were palace guards and companions, and the smaller specimens were carried in the flowing sleeves of their owners. They are mentioned in the writings of Confucius and dogs of similar type appear in bronze statues and other Chinese works of art dating to before the Christian era. They were held in high esteem by the Chinese emperors and their families, and were not allowed to be owned by the commoners. They reached their peak in popularity during the reign of the last Manchu Empress, Tzu Hsi, in the nineteenth century. The Empress decreed the rules that governed the breeding of her Pekingese, and these rules, called the Pekinese Pearls, formed the basis for the first breed standard worldwide.

The Pekingese were not known outside China until 1860, when British soldiers stormed the Summer Palace at Beijing. Most of the Pekingese present were killed to prevent the "devils" getting them, but the soldiers managed to save five, and these were brought to England. One was given to Queen Victoria and two each were given to the Duchess of Richmond and the Duchess of Wellington. Interest in the breed grew, but it wasn't until 1890 that more dogs began to be brought to England. After Empress Tzu Hsi died in 1908, the revolutionaries killed most of her dogs; the breed is now relatively unknown and almost extinct in its country of origin.

Physical characteristics:

Height: 6 - 9 in (15 - 23 cm). Weight: 7 - 12 lb (3 - 6 kg). The Pekingese is a small, rather strange-looking dog that moves with a characteristic rolling gait. It has an exceptionally shortened muzzle, so much so that the nose sits just below and very close to the protruding eyes. The rest of the stocky body is obscured by a very long, straight topcoat that forms feathers on the heart-shaped short ears, the legs and toes, and a plume on the curled tail. Any color except for albino (white with red eyes and no pigment) and liver are acceptable, and they may have a darker mask on the face. In some countries, there are divisions of the breed by weight.

Behavior:

This charming little dog makes an excellent companion animal for people who are restricted in their physical activities. This cute little dog may be small in stature, but it has a huge spirit. Although this dog looks like a cuddly toy, it must be treated with respect as it is a very independent and intelligent dog. Care should be taken when this dog is around young children, as it may become fearful of them and then snap as a warning. The Pekingese may be sensitive to sudden drops in temperature and should be kept out of drafts. The eyes should be regularly swabbed with normal saline or warm water to avoid ulceration of the cornea.