Pekingese

Other names : The Lion dog, Peking Lion Dog, Pelchie Dog, Chinese Spaniel, Peke

Photo: adult dog of Pekingese breed
Photo: puppy of Pekingese breed
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Life expectancy

The Pekingese has a life expectancy of between 12 and 14 years

Temperament

Size

Small

Adult size

Female Between 6 and 9 in
Male Between 6 and 10 in

Adult weight

Female Between 7 and 11 lb
Male Between 7 and 11 lb
Coat colour
Black Blue Red Sand
Type of coat
Long
Eye colour
Brown

Purchase price

The Pekingese costs between £710 and £1130

Good to know

Due to their brachycephalic morphology, the Pekingese can be very noisy (snoring, very loud breathing etc). Although it is not as bad as the French bulldog for example, it’s important to know this before adoption, even if it will often make you laugh more than anything else.

More details about the Pekingese

Pekingese: Origins and history

The origins of this breed are very old and not very clear. They can be found on bronzes from two thousand years BC. They have always been considered a sacred and precious animal and thus anyone who stole or killed a Pekingese in ancient China was punished by the death penalty. In 1860, after the destruction of the Summer Palace, only a few Beijing Dogs were found alive (they would have been killed to avoid them falling into the hands of enemies) and taken to England. One of these dogs was given to queen Victoria. Since then, the breed has been a huge success throughout Great Britain, who, along with China, has been attributed paternity of the breed.

FCI classification of the Pekingese

  • Group 9 - Companion and Toy Dogs

  • Section 8 : Japan Chin and Pekingese

Training a Pekingese

Obedience is not the primary quality of a Pekingese. They have a very strong character and it is necessary to have a firm, gentle and consistent attitude to achieve results with one.
Their training must begin from a very young age and must never be violent at the risk of losing the puppy’s confidence, or even worse, making your dog aggressive.
It is very important not to give into the gentle eyes of this little dog, who will use them to get away with mischief. Just because they are a small breed doesn’t mean you have to give them everything. Nevertheless, if a Pekingese interacts with a respectful, consistent and self-confident master, they will be cooperative. However, the help of an education and behavioural professional is encouraged to reduce the risk of developing bad habits.

Pekingese: Purchase price

The price of a Pekingese varies according to their origins, age and sex. A dog registered with the KC will cost on average £1130. 

To meet the regular needs of the Lion Dog, it costs on average £25 per month (including food, veterinary care and grooming)

Name ideas for a Pekingese

  • Uma
  • Marley
  • Indy
  • Becca
  • Dax
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