Whoever came up with the phrase "dynamite comes in
small packages" must have had the Pekingese in mind. At
first glance one may perceive the Pekingese as a shy and timid toy
dog but in reality that is far from the truth. The Pekingese
is a very strong willed, confident and yet sometimes stubborn dog.
The legendary origin of the Pekingese stems back to ancient China
were a lion had fallen in love with a marmoset (new world
monkey). The Pekingese was the offspring of the lion and the
monkey and possessed the only the best qualities of both parents.
However, all legends aside the Pekingese did really originate in
China and were held in high regard by the Emperors. The
Pekingese at one time was considered the Imperial Dogs and any
mistreatment of these dogs was punishable by death. A
treasure of ancient China, it would not be until the late 1800's that the Pekingese was finally
brought over to America. A few years down the road in
1906 the Pekingese, also known as the Peke, was registered by the AKC.
Key
Characteristics of the Pekingese
Although small in stature, usually less than 9
inches high, the Pekingese has a stocky build that can weigh
anywhere in the neighborhood of 14 pounds. Their facial
features have a flat muzzle with large round eyes with heart
shaped ears that lay flat against the head.
Personality Traits
The Pekingese is a very loving dog and a great addition to any
family. As stated earlier, the Pekingese does have a lot of
self-confidence and is a very courageous dog. They are very
loyal and make a good watch dog in just about any loving home.
However, being stubborn is another one of their personality traits
and proper training is essential to have a well mannered dog.
Conclusion
The Pekingese
unquestionably is a loyal companion and a loving pet. They
are more than just a "lap dog" as some would perceive by their
physical appearance. The Pekingese is full of courage, at
times stubborn and always a wonderful gift to a loving home.
Having been around Pekingese's my entire life I have nothing but
high respect for these dogs. Although small in stature, my
Pekingese's have always had a heart of a giant.
