The Pekingese is a breed known for its loyalty and cheerful nature. It was bred to be a companion for royalty and thus, it is a very patient and graceful dog. This is a toy dog, a small and compact pet that’s often showered with extreme affection. The Pekingese is one of the most popular family dogs.
What Does A Pekingese Look Like?
A Pekingese is a small, furry hairball that can be in any color. This dog is classified as a companion dog that grows from 6 to 9 inches tall and weighs only 7 to 14 pounds. When provided with the best care and attention, a typical Pekingese can live from 12 to 15 years.
The most prominent part of a Pekingese is its coat. It can take time to groom this dog and usually, it is also very costly. This is why; most owners prefer to keep their pet’s hair short. This dog has short feet and thus, climbing up and down beds, stairs and sofas can be a challenge.
Most Pekingese bark a lot and can be a nuisance in apartments and small homes. The trick is to provide meaningful activities to avoid barking and other unwanted behavior. A Pekingese is a one-person dog and is a very loyal and fierce protector. It may be small but it can defend its owner and his family thanks to its loud barking and tenacious attitude.
How Do You Groom A Pekingese?
Brushing a Pekingese can be time-consuming and this is why most owners prefer to cut the fur and hair of their pets short. Regular weekly bathing will do and special attention should be placed on the dog’s face as excessive wrinkling can lead to dirt and oils getting stuck in the skin folds. This can cause irritation and skin infections and thus, the area has to be kept dry and clean.
A Pekingese is an adaptable dog but it cannot tolerate very hot climates because of its small size and thick coat. This is another reason why you must consider cutting your Pekingese’s fur and hair short. Pay close attention to the hair along the feet to prevent matting and to prevent any dust, dirt, and grime from getting tangled with the hair.
What Is The Best Food For Pekingese?
The best food for this kind of dog is organic pet food. Be sure to use food that’s carefully prepared and products packed with vitamins and minerals your dog needs. If your pet has a medical condition, consult your vet before feeding him just any kind of dog food. Pekingese with sensitive skin must be fed with hypoallergenic pet food.
Never feed your Pekingese with human food as this can do more harm than good. Some human food can even be very dangerous to pets such as onions, chocolates, and grapes.
½ to a cup of top quality pet food a day is enough for a small dog like a Pekingese. A Pekingese is short and stocky but not fat. Sometimes, this breed can become overweight when it’s feeding is not consistent. Obesity can make your dog vulnerable to many kinds of illnesses and diseases. Avoid obesity by following a feeding schedule, choosing the right type of dog food, and regular exercise.
How To Train A Pekingese?
A Pekingese is a very intelligent breed and will always want to please its owners and thus, it is easy to train this dog. However, some owners say that their dogs can become stubborn especially when they don’t feel like it. When this happens, it’s best to use the reward training method to motivate your pet.
Do you know that a Pekingese will starve itself just to prove its point? There are some reports that older dogs can be quite stubborn and will snub their parents and their food just to make them realize that they were wrong in the first place. Now, this behavior may sound cute but nevertheless, it can be very annoying especially when you want to get things done.
To prevent this, train your dog early. Avoid any unwanted behaviors by training regularly, exercise, and a lot of positive attention. This dog is not a good breed for very small children as children at this age may handle a pet too roughly. This breed may not tolerate this rough handling and thus, may nip and bite.
Are There Health Issues?
A Pekingese is a healthy breed but is prone to some health concerns. You can avoid health issues by getting a pup from a reputable breeder.
A Pekingese is prone to patellar luxation, airway obstructive syndrome because of its short face, cataracts, cleft palate, undescended testicles especially in small dogs, entropion, dermatitis, dry eyes, heart disease, progressive retinal atrophy, and intervertebral disc disease.
Visiting a vet on a regular basis can help reduce and prevent possible illnesses. If you notice something unusual about your pet’s gait, appearance, appetite, behavior, vision, or fur, consider taking your pet to the vet at once. Have a record of your pet’s vaccinations, deworming, and other medications. Always take time to take your pet to the vet for his checkup and to the groomers for professional care.
A Pekingese is a unique breed but there are still times this dog is also found in shelters and pounds. We recommend adopting a dog rather than buying one to help give dogs like the Pekingese a new lease on life.
