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Pekingese
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The Pekingese or Peke (also commonly referred to as a "Lion
Dog", "Pelchie Dog", or "Foo (or Fu) Dog" due to their
resemblance to Chinese guardian lions) is an ancient breed of toy
dog, originating in China. They were the favored pet of the
Chinese Imperial court, and the name relates to the city of Beijing
where the Forbidden City resides. The breed has several
characteristics and health issues related to its unique appearance.
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Description
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.
The Pekingese's flat face is one of the breed's most obvious
characteristics. The body is compact and low to the ground. The
legs are noticeably bowed and restrict the Pekingese's movement.
The Peke's unusual rolling gait may have been deliberately bred to
prevent the court dogs from wandering.
Coat
A Pekingese has a double coat. Trimming the coat is discouraged
in show dogs. The Pekingese has a noticeable mane and
feathering around the ears, tail and legs.
All breed standards allow all sorts of color combinations. 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 cautiously due to health problems that have been
associated with albinism.
A black mask or a self-colored face is equally acceptable in show
dogs. Regardless of coat color the exposed skin of the muzzle,
nose, lips and eye rims is black.
Size
Pekes weigh from 7 to 14 lb (3.2 to 6.4 kg) and stand about 6–9
inches (15–23 cm) at the withers, however they can sometimes be
smaller. These smaller Pekes are commonly referred to as
"Sleeve" Pekingese or just "Sleeves". The name is taken from
ancient times, when emperors would carry the smallest of the
breed in their sleeves. A Pekingese over 14 pounds is disqualified
in the show ring.
The Pekingese is slightly longer than tall when measured from the
forechest to the buttocks. The overall outline is an approximate
ratio of 3 high to 5 long.
Health
The leading cause of death for Pekes, as for many other Toy
breeds, is congestive heart failure. When diagnosed early and
successfully treated with medication, a Peke with this problem can
expect to live many years. A heart murmur is a potential sign of a
problem, and must be evaluated by a veterinary cardiologist. Very
often, the problem does not surface until the dog is 6 or more
years old, so it is very difficult to screen the problem in a pup.
Pekes' other main problems are eye issues and breathing
problems, resulting from its tiny skull and flattened face, and skin
allergies (and hotspots). An especially common problem is eye
ulcers, which may develop spontaneously. Pekes should never be
kept outside as their flattened faces and noses can develop
breathing problems, which makes it difficult for them to regulate
their body temperature in overly hot or cold weather. Their long
backs, relative to their legs, make them vulnerable to back injuries.
Care should be taken, when picking them up, to give Pekes
adequate back support: one hand under the chest, the other
under the abdomen. Short legs give some Pekes difficulty with
stairs; older dogs may not be able to go up or down stairs alone.
In an effort to address the breathing difficulties caused by the
Peke's flat face, the Kennel Club (UK) significantly changed the
breed standard in October 2008, removing the clause that the
"profile [should be] flat with nose well up between eyes" and adding
instead that the "muzzle must be evident". This was in response to
public opinion following the BBC programme, Pedigree Dogs
Exposed. The breed standards of two other flat faced breeds, the
Pug and English Bulldog, were soon also changed.
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, one of the
least genetically diverged from the wolf. 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.
Care
Keeping the Peke coat healthy and presentable requires daily
brushing if it is an outside dog. If you do this, they will need to see
a groomer only once every 3 months. If a Peke becomes dirty, it is
important to take it to a groomer as soon as possible, as it is
difficult to remove dirt from its coat once it has dried, but this can
be avoided by brushing regularly, especially the belly, and
between the front and hind legs. One important thing for new
owners to remember is that dogs intended as a house pet may be
kept in a puppy cut which is much more low maintenance than a
show cut. It is also important to remove dirt from the eye pores
daily, and from the creases on the face to prevent sores (hotspots).
Due to their abundance of fur, it is important to keep the
Pekingese cool. Pekes are indoor dogs and they are prone to
having heatstroke when exposed to high temperature.
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Pekingese
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Country of origin
China
Weight
7-14 lb
Height
6-9 in
Coat
Long double coat
Color
Multiple
Life span
10-15 years
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