Pekingese

About the breed

The Pekingese is one of the oldest known dog breeds in the world and the only one kept for centuries exclusively for the Chinese imperial court. It is a small, dignified companion dog with a rich history, but also one of the most extremely brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, which brings serious, well-documented health challenges that any prospective owner needs to understand before choosing this breed.

Imperial origin

The breed originates in China, where according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) it was already being bred in the Tang dynasty of the 8th century, while legend traces its origin as far back as the Han dynasty, more than two thousand years ago. For most of that history, Pekingese could only be owned by members of the imperial family, and the dog was considered sacred. Buddhist monks shaped the breed to resemble a lion - a central figure in Buddhist tradition - which is why it also became known as the "lion dog." Because of its small size, some specimens were even carried in the sleeves of court robes, giving rise to the nickname "sleeve dog."

Arrival in the West

Pekingese did not reach Europe until 1860, and the way they arrived deserves to be told honestly. During the Second Opium War, British and French forces sacked and looted the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) near Beijing in October 1860. Among the plunder, Captain John Hart Dunne found a small dog, which he presented to Queen Victoria in 1861; she named the dog Looty - a name that directly acknowledges its origin in looting. Several other Pekingese from the same campaign ended up with British aristocratic families and became the foundation of Western breeding stock. Looty lived at court until her death in 1872, and her grave has not survived. This episode is a significant part of the breed's history, and it is also a clear reminder of the colonial circumstances under which the Pekingese arrived in the West.

Temperament

The Pekingese is known for a dignified, self-assured and rather independent temperament. It is deeply devoted and loyal to its own family, while often reserved or even somewhat haughty with strangers - a trait many breed clubs describe as "lion-like" fearlessness despite its small size. It is intelligent but stubborn, so training calls for patience and consistency rather than strictness. It is not especially playful in an active-games sense, but values calm closeness with its people.

Appearance and coat

The breed is characterized by short, stocky legs, a flat face with pronounced wrinkles, and a long, profuse outer coat over a soft undercoat that forms a distinctive mane around the neck and shoulders. Under the United Kennel Club (UKC) standard, the dog should be shown minimally groomed, without any sculpting of the coat - but that does not mean the coat is low-maintenance. On the contrary, the dense double coat needs brushing several times a week, along with regular cleaning of the facial wrinkles and careful attention around the eyes to prevent matting, skin irritation and infection.

Health: an extremely brachycephalic build

The Pekingese is among the breeds with the most extreme brachycephalic (flat-faced) skull conformation, which has serious consequences for breathing. A cross-sectional study published in PLOS One, covering 14 brachycephalic breeds, found that only 10.9% of Pekingese showed no signs of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) - meaning the large majority, around 89%, were affected to some degree, placing the breed alongside pugs and bulldogs among those at highest risk. The same study recorded a high rate of narrowed nostrils in Pekingese, with only 17.8% of dogs having fully open nostrils. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine explicitly lists the Pekingese among breeds that commonly develop BOAS, which can become life-threatening if untreated; in more severe cases, surgery - ideally before two years of age - can help.

Heat and eyes

Because of its severely shortened airway, the Pekingese tolerates heat very poorly and is among the breeds at highest risk of heat stroke, so in summer it needs shade, a calm environment, and no exertion during the hottest parts of the day. The eyes are similarly vulnerable: a study on the impact of facial conformation on canine health (PLOS One) found that brachycephalic breeds can be up to twenty times more likely to suffer corneal ulcers than non-brachycephalic breeds, and the Pekingese was among the breeds with the highest proportion of affected dogs in the sample. Shallow eye sockets and prominent eyes also carry a real risk that even minor trauma, or excessive pressure around the neck (for example from a collar), can cause the eyeball to proptose (pop out of its socket) - a veterinary emergency.

Suitability and care

Thanks to its small size and low exercise needs, the Pekingese is well suited to apartment living, but because of its health fragility, stubborn character, and demanding coat care, it is not an ideal choice for first-time dog owners or for families with very young children who do not yet know how to handle a small, delicate dog gently. It does best with experienced, calm owners who are prepared for regular coat and eye care and consistent attention to heat and breathing.

Pros & cons