Pekinese Breed description: Character & Co

Breed description and character

Pekinese are self-confident, intelligent dogs, but also affectionate and playful. They have a strong personality and are sometimes a bit stubborn. The dogs are also very picky and do not give show affection to just anyone. Because of their innate alertness, they also tend to bark when strangers approach. Basically, however, they are open towards strangers. Nevertheless, owners must pay special attention to one specific breed characteristic. Pekinese are considered to be brave, sometimes even daring, and will not hesitate to take on larger dogs, which can be to their disadvantage.

Attitude and training

The Pekinese is very well suited as a beginner and family dog. It integrates very well into families with children and develops a close relationship with them, but cannot be considered a petting animal in particular. It can be kept well in small apartments, but needs sufficient exercise due to its strong urge to move. Regular walks must therefore be a given. The Pekinese needs a consistent but loving upbringing. Otherwise it can mutate into a nervous yapper. It gets along well with other dogs, but has his problems with some other animals. Socialising them well from the beginning is therefore recommended. If you take the typical characteristics of the breed into account when keeping and raising them, you will enjoy these little dogs for a long time. If necessary, you can also look for advice from dog schools, dog clubs or breeders.

Nutrition

The nutrition is fuss-free. The energy requirement of the small dogs is comparatively low. High-quality food, preferably with meat and little carbohydrates, is completely sufficient. Small dog treats without sugar but with a high meat content every now and them will delight your animal and also help with dental care. Sufficient drinking water should always be available to them.

Typical diseases of the Pekinese

The Pekinese dog belongs to the short-headed or round-headed breeds. This congenital, hereditary deformation of the dog's skull (Brachycephaly), can sometimes cause serious health problems:

• Brachycephalic syndrome: severe obstruction of breathing (wheezing breath and snoring sounds) and disturbed thermo-regulation. The dogs are at risk of heat stroke.
• Hydrocephalus (hydrocephalus): pathological widening of the subarachnoid spaces filled with cerebrospinal fluid in the brain and spinal cord.
• Dystocia: increased risk of having difficult births, disturbed birth processes and weakness in labour. Often only a caesarean section is the only help.

The brachycephalic syndrome often leads to shortness of breath, oedema in the throat area, bronchitis and heart failure. The oxygen saturation in the blood is insufficient. The breed's short head shape often causes the dogs to have a pronounced overbite. The result can occasionally be an inadequate bite function. Eye inflammations, asthma and disc diseases are also not uncommon. To keep your Pekinese healthy for a long time, you should pay your vet a visit regularly.

Interesting facts about Pekinese breeding

According to an expert opinion of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, particularly pronounced manifestations of brachycephaly in Pekinese dogs, e.g. out-bred skull deformations, are considered to be torture breeding. These dogs suffer a lot. In Germany, according to § 11b of the Animal Protection Act, so-called torture breeding is prohibited. The breeding associations are obliged to observe the corresponding breeding restrictions and change the breeding standards. In Austria, too, torture breeding is forbidden under threat of punishment according to the federal law for the protection of animals in force.

If you want to buy a Pekinese puppy, the right place to look at is the Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen (VDH). A puppy costs about 500-900 Euros. At this largest umbrella organisation for dog breeding and dog sports in Germany you can find a lot of contact addresses of serious Pekinese breeders. Alternatively, you can also contact the 1st German Pekingese Club of 1987 e.V.