Pekingese

Personality

Pekingese carry themselves like royalty, and that is the point. The AKC describes confident, charming companions that bond tightly with a favorite person yet stay as independent as the emperors who once owned them. Peke people use the word "opinionated", and it fits.

At home they are fairly sedate, affectionate on their own terms and not especially demonstrative. VCA calls them devoted and aristocratic family members who are reserved with strangers. They are alert and make good little watchdogs, though the AKC rates their barking low.

With children, the answer depends on the child. Pekes tolerate kids, but the AKC says they will not stand for roughhousing, and VCA adds that they may not be playful enough for lively youngsters. Calm older children and adults make the best companions. Many are not very friendly toward strange dogs, but they are usually fine with small pets they grow up with.

Their independence can look like stubbornness. Respect their dignity, keep demands reasonable and let them be Peke-sized lions.

History

The Pekingese is one of several breeds created for China's ruling class, and its true beginnings are lost to time. The AKC says earliest known records trace to the Tang dynasty in the 8th century, and VCA notes DNA studies place the breed among the 14 most ancient recognized by the AKC. Small Pekes were called sleeve dogs because they could be carried in the wide sleeves of imperial robes, and the AKC says the breed was held sacred in ancient China.

According to the AKC, stealing one of these dogs was said to be punishable by death, and the palace kept the oldest bloodlines pure. A Chinese legend says the Buddha shrank a lion down to dog size, which is a pleasant story with perhaps a grain of truth, since the Peke was likely bred down to toy size from a larger dog.

The West met the breed in 1860, when British forces looted the Summer Palace in Peking (Beijing) and took a handful of the royal dogs to England. One, named Looty, went to Queen Victoria, and the breed became a fashionable sensation. The AKC first registered Pekes in 1906, and in 1912 a Pekingese was one of three dogs to survive the sinking of the Titanic.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Pekingese is a compact, stocky toy dog, standing 6 to 9 in (15 to 23 cm) tall. The AKC standard caps weight at 14 lb (6.4 kg), and most adults weigh roughly 7 to 14 lb (3.2 to 6.4 kg). The body is pear shaped, heavy in front and lighter behind, and low to the ground. The short, thick, bowed forelegs and lighter hindquarters give the breed its rolling gait, which is a hallmark.

The head is large and broad, with a flat face and a short muzzle. When viewed from the front, it forms a wider-than-deep rectangle sometimes described as envelope shaped. The eyes are large, dark and set wide apart, and the ears are heart shaped and heavily fringed.

The long, straight, coarse outer coat stands off the body, over a thick, soft undercoat. It is longest around the neck and shoulders, forming the lion's mane. Feathering runs down the legs, toes and tail. The AKC lists many colors, including red, fawn, sable, cream, black and white, and the registry recognizes black masks and white markings. Red is the classic shade, ranging from golden to darker tones.

Training

Pekingese are smart and affectionate, but they were bred to be admired, not to take orders. VCA describes them as independent and very stubborn dogs that rebel against forceful methods. A raised voice or a leash jerk is likely to produce a sulking Peke and a long standoff.

Reward-based training with small food treats works best. Keep sessions brief, give clear cues and finish while your dog still has energy. Housetraining can take patience in small dogs. VCA notes that many Pekes have been taught to use indoor potty systems, which is useful when weather is extreme.

Socialization is important. Introduce your puppy to new people, places and gentle dogs while young, so natural reserve does not turn into suspicion. Teach basic manners, including walking calmly on a leash, coming when called and accepting handling of paws, face and coat, because grooming and vet exams will be a lifelong routine.

Pekes are not eager performers, but some enjoy low-key canine sports at their own pace, as the AKC notes. Be patient and persistent, and keep the tone light.

Exercise

Pekingese have modest exercise needs. The AKC calls them fairly sedate most of the time, and VCA suggests a leisurely walk or a quick game each day. They are not physically suited to vigorous exercise.

The flat face is the reason. Short-nosed dogs cannot cool themselves as efficiently by panting, so heat and exertion are a dangerous combination. VCA warns that Pekes overheat very easily and must be kept in a cool place, and that breathing problems are often worse in hot or humid weather. Walk early in the morning or late in the evening in summer, carry water and stop at the first sign of heavy, noisy breathing. Heavy panting, drooling, weakness or collapse needs urgent veterinary attention; see our page on heatstroke.

Pekes enjoy cold weather, and some owners use frozen ice packs or an ice pillow for car rides, as the AKC notes. Indoor play, short training games and sniffing walks give plenty of enrichment. Use a well-fitted harness rather than pulling on the neck, and keep young puppies off stairs and high furniture.

Grooming

The coat is the biggest job. The thick double coat sheds seasonally, and the AKC suggests brushing at least an hour a week to remove loose hair and prevent matting. VCA recommends brushing twice a week. A slicker brush or metal comb can work out mats gently. Pay close attention to the mane, behind the ears and the feathering on the legs, tail and toes. Bathe occasionally to keep the coat clean.

Face care matters too. VCA advises cleaning and drying the wrinkle over the nose daily to prevent infection, and checking the hair around the anus daily for hygiene issues. Wipe around the eyes gently, and see your vet about any redness, cloudiness, squinting or discharge. Because the Peke's face is flat, its eyes sit more exposed than those of long-nosed breeds.

Trim the nails regularly, as overly long nails make walking uncomfortable, and brush the teeth often; VCA says the breed is prone to periodontal problems. Some owners choose a shorter pet clip for easier care.

Feeding

Pekingese tend to stay at a good weight or run slightly heavy, according to VCA. Under that thick coat, you cannot judge weight by eye, so use your hands to feel the ribs and waist. Weight management matters more than usual in this breed, because excess weight makes breathing trouble worse in flat-faced dogs, and Cornell notes that keeping an ideal body weight helps dogs prone to disc disease.

Measure each meal, and treat training rewards as part of the daily calories. Use our dog food calculator for a starting amount and adjust based on body condition. Our guide on how to tell if your dog is overweight explains the hands-on check.

Choose a complete and balanced diet for the dog's life stage, whether commercial or home-prepared with veterinary advice. Offer fresh water at all times, and keep portions small and meals regular. Tell your vet if you notice retching or vomiting, since VCA notes that flat-faced dogs with airway problems can also have digestive upset.

Health

The breed club's statement on the AKC site calls the Pekingese one of the healthiest breeds, and the AKC lists no recommended health tests. Even so, the flat face and short, heavy body make some problems predictable.

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is the big one. VCA lists the Pekingese among affected breeds. Narrow nostrils, a long soft palate and other airway changes make breathing harder, causing snorting and snoring, tiring easily and sometimes fainting after exertion. Signs worsen in heat and humidity, and surgery can help when airflow is badly restricted. The AKC advises choosing a Peke with wide-open nostrils.

The eyes are also exposed. VCA says flat-faced breeds are more prone to corneal ulcers, which are painful; squinting, rubbing the eye or discharge needs a prompt vet visit. Cornell lists the Pekingese among breeds predisposed to intervertebral disc disease, which can cause back or neck pain and weakness. Keep your dog lean and avoid jumping from furniture.

Periodontal disease is common as well. The AKC lists a lifespan of 12 to 14 years.

Health conditions to know about

• Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) — Narrow nostrils and a long soft palate make breathing harder; signs worsen in heat and humidity.
• Corneal ulcers — Flat-faced dogs have exposed eyes that are easily injured; squinting or rubbing needs a prompt vet visit.
• Intervertebral disc disease — Cornell lists the breed as predisposed to disc problems that cause back or neck pain and weakness.
• Heat intolerance — Short noses make cooling by panting inefficient, so overheating can happen quickly.
• Periodontal disease — VCA says the breed is prone to gum and tooth problems; regular brushing helps.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Veterinary eye exam
• Airway and nostril assessment
• Dental exam

Read more: intervertebral disc disease (ivdd).

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Pekingese

Pekes are among the best choices for apartments and quiet homes. They need little space and little exercise, and they are content to sit with their person on the sofa. They do not need a yard.

Climate is the main consideration. Heat is risky for flat-faced dogs, so a cool home matters. Run air conditioning in hot weather, provide a cooling mat and fresh water, and never leave your Peke in a parked car. Cold is far better tolerated; VCA says the breed enjoys it. Our guide to apartment-friendly dogs compares other low-key options.

With visitors and children, set clear rules. Pekes put up with children but resent rough handling, and a dog this small can be injured by a fall. Avoid leaving a Peke unsupervised with toddlers. Use baby gates or a pen to protect puppies from stairs.

Expect seasonal shedding and a daily face wipe. These are dignified, mostly quiet companions, content to be near you and not in the thick of every activity.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

A Peke puppy's health starts with its parents' structure. The AKC advises choosing a dog with wide-open nostrils on a moderately sized nose, and recommends a breeder who tests breeding stock and teaches you about breed-specific concerns. The AKC lists no recommended genetic health tests for the breed, so ask instead for veterinary checks of eyes, airways and teeth, and for a health guarantee in writing.

Be cautious about extremes. Tiny nostrils or noisy breathing in the puppy or its parents are warning signs of airway trouble. Meet the parents, look at their faces and watch how they breathe at rest and on a short walk. Good breeders raise puppies in the home, socialize them gently and take dogs back if needed.

Costs vary widely, and future vet care for airway or eye issues can be significant, so consider insurance while your dog is young. Rescue organizations sometimes have adult Pekes, and the parent club points to a rescue resource on the AKC's breed page.