The Pekingese, Pekinese or “Peke” (also commonly referred to as a "Lion Dog", or "Pelchie 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.

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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

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.
[edit] History

Chinese Happa dog from the 19th Century, an ancestor of the modern Pekinese, Rothschild Zoological
Museum, Tring, England

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.[2] 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.[3]

[edit] Famous Pekes

• Bambi, pet of Miss Marjory Warner, upon whom James Herriot based his characters Mrs.
Pumphrey and Tricki Woo
• Chu-Chu from The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan
• Fifi the Peke, the girlfriend of Pluto, Mickey Mouse's pet.
• Buster, Pet of Chinese folk historian Onoj Ewalg
• Manchu, pet of Theodore Roosevelt's daughter, Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth.
• Winnie/Wednesday, pet of Bridget Marquardt, Hugh Hefner's girlfriend, as seen on E!'s The Girls
Next Door.
• Sun Yat owned by Henry Sleeper Harper - Harper Brothers Publishing - was a survivor on the
RMS Titanic.
• Penelope, pet of Philadelphia composer Joseph Hallman
• The three pekes from Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat