Pekingese, a small intelligent dog and a fearless protector of the family he loves very much, and because of his heart he can get sick
The last empress of China wrote the first breed standard for this fluffy little guy whose lifespan is between ten and 15 years.
There is no easy answer to the question of how the Pekingese came about, because there is no reliable evidence of its origin, but it is assumed that the Japanese breed, the Pekingese and the pug have a common ancestor, which is also confirmed by the similarity in the structure of the heads of these three breeds. The most famous legend about the origin of the Pekingese is that they arose from the "connection" of a lion and a monkey.
Historical data and origin of the Pekingese
The current name of the Pekingese is more recent, while earlier records show different names. In ancient times, at fairs in China, entertainers wore masks known as "fo" that resembled the heads of today's Pekingese. Fo or small lion dogs had the status of a deity and were courted by servants at court. Theft of these dogs or other abuse of them was then punishable by death.
Pekingese arrived in Europe in 1860, when the British army conquered the Chinese imperial palace and captured five dogs of this breed, one of which was presented to Queen Victoria, and at the Chester exhibition in 1894, these dogs were shown to the public for the first time. They were brought to Germany in 1910, when their pedigree book was opened. The first breed standard was written by the last Chinese empress, and the first official cynical standard was published in 1898.
The Pekingese belongs to the FCI group 9 (companion and pleasure dogs), section 7 (Japanese rank and Pekingese), and its standard is numbered 207 and was last amended in 2009.
Characteristics and appearance of the Pekingese
The Pekingese is a small, stocky dog with a well-balanced build, bold demeanor, alert and intelligent. The weight of males does not exceed five kilograms, and females can be up to half a kilogram heavier. The Pekingese looks tiny, but has heavy bones.
The Pekingese has a thick coat that needs daily brushing and regular bathing with appropriate shampoos. His hair is long and straight, and he has a mane that extends over his shoulders, forming a "cape" or collar. The outer coat is coarse, with abundant undercoat, and the fluffy hair on the ears, legs, thighs, tail and toes is abundant. All coat colors and markings are permitted except albino and liver color.
Pekingese temperament, activity and health
The Pekingese is a dog with a strong character and is a real protector. He is very brave and can be stubborn, and is also known as a loud barker. He is not aggressive, but he is independent. It tolerates living in an apartment well and does not need a yard. He needs regular walks and play.
The lifespan of the Pekingese is between 10 and 15 years, it is prone to heart disease, respiratory and eye problems and it catches cold easily, because it is sensitive to cold, but high temperature can also bother it.
