An overview of the Pekingese breed covering its history, physical traits, temperament, and care needs. Learn what makes these small dogs distinctive and how to keep them healthy and well-trained.
Hello and welcome to this new video from animal Expert. Today we're going to talk about the Pekingese, one of the most popular Asian dogs. The Pekingese was a dog revered by Buddhist monks in China as its physical characteristics bear a certain resemblance to the lion of Fu, a mythical animal from Buddhist tradition. The dogs were cared for by royalty and only nobles were allowed to have a Pekingese in their possession. Such was the devotion to this breed that sometimes they even had human servants to care for them. In 1860, during the Second Opium War, Anglo French troops looted and burned the Summer palace in Beijing shortly after hearing from the Chinese Emperor Zeifeng. Fortunately, before burning it down, they took five Pekinese dogs that lived in the palace. Those five dogs were taken to England where they were given as gifts to nobles and aristocrats. One of them even ended up in the hands of Queen Victoria. These five dogs were the progenitors of the current Pekingese population. From then on, sponsorship of the breed began in the United Kingdom and its popularity has continued to grow to this day. The Pekingese is a small dog. It is robust with strong muscles and heavy bones. Despite its small size, it surprises with a maximum weight of 5 kg for females and a maximum of 5.4 kg for males. The Pekingese's head is large in comparison to its body and reminds us of a small lion with a flat muzzle, dark eyes. The ears are heart shaped and hang down on the sides of the head. The Pekingese has a double coat. The outer coat is abundant, straight, long and harsh, while the undercoat is dense and soft. According to the FCI standard, practically any color is accepted for the body and mask, including spots of different colors. With the exception of liver and albino dogs, the temperament of these dogs is very characteristic of the breed. Pekingese are loyal and very brave dogs despite their small size. However, they are also independent and reserved. They tend to be very loyal to their own but wary of strangers. These dogs are suitable for seniors or sedentary families. They can also be good companion animals for first time owners. It is true that the Pekingese is a very calm dog when it has reached its adult stage and also likes to play in its comfort. But like any other dog, it needs daily walks. We recommend taking it for three daily walks of between 10 and 20 minutes each. Remember that you should be very careful when walking during the hottest months of the year or when taking your Pekingese on excursions. Due to its flattened skin and long coat, it is susceptible to heatstroke quite easily. So it is essential to always carry Fresh water with you. It may also be advisable to carry it in a small carrier or bag. We recommend daily and gentle brushing, especially during shedding seasons. To remove dead hair, clean the dog, reduce the frequency of bathing and early detection of parasites, knots and injuries. Pekingese dogs can be bathed at least every 15 to 20 days, but monthly is recommended to avoid damaging the natural protective layer of their skin. Before bathing our Pekingese at home, we will need to detangle their hair with a rake type brush and then we can wash them. Don't forget to brush them at the end and dry them very well, as well as use a specific shampoo for dogs. These dogs can be easily trained to have good manners and respond to many canine obedience commands. When trained using positive reinforcement, it is very important to socialize them from puppies in order to achieve a good relationship with other people, pets and their environment. Even so, they are not usually as sociable as other companion dogs. Punishment or lack of attention towards the animal can develop barking, destructive behaviors and even aggressive impulses such as small bites. Adopting this dog should be considered first and foremost and we must be sure to be able to provide it with a good education and the company and affection it requires. It is important to stimulate the Pekingese dog with all kinds of activities and games that allow it to be mentally stimulated. Whether it is happy and does not develop the most common behavioral problems such as excessive barking and destructiveness will depend on this. We can practice intelligent games at home or teach them obedience and tricks. All the time we dedicate to our Pekingese dog will help us strengthen our bond with it and enrich its day to day life. The Pekingese dog, due to its limited genetic variety, is susceptible to suffering from several hereditary diseases. Among them, we highlight some eye and respiratory diseases such as cataracts, palate or progressive retinal atrophy. That's why it's recommended to visit the vet regularly every six months to ensure your dog's good health and detect any problems early. If you follow our care instructions and also follow the vet's advice on deworming and vaccinating your dog, you can enjoy a healthy dog for between 10 and 13 years. And that's it for today's video. Don't forget to comment to make your requests. Give it a like if you enjoyed it and subscribe to learn much more about the animal world. Until next time, experts.
