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"Small Dog Breed Catalog"
Small Dog Breed Catalog: Page 36
of 56
Pekingese Dog Breed
The Pekingese has a compact, sturdy, short-legged body with protruding
eyes and long ears. He has a shedding coat that is long, straight,
and dense with a thick undercoat. This breed has been a pampered
lapdog that fancies himself as a tiny emperor and also likes to remind
his owner of his regal background. He is loyal, intelligent,
affectionate, and expects to be petted and pampered. However, he is
not at all a delicate nature. He is a brave guard dog that is
fearless, fun, and loves playing with toys. He is good with children
provided he is raised with them from puppy hood. He is a great
companion dog for the elderly because of his low exercise requirements
and his tendency to bond closely to just 1 or 2 persons. He has a
controlling temperament and is not aware of the concept of owner
dominance. His independent nature makes him one of the most difficult
of the toy breeds. He has the tendency to bite if he is annoyed or
pushed. His owner should be persistent and patient when training this
dog because he can be stubborn and will not often cooperate during
training. It is no wonder that this breed is almost never seen in the
obedience ring. Spoiling will exaggerate his narcissistic nature and
may result in aggression. In fact, most of his snooty behavior comes
from the tendency of their owners spoiling them. He is very
suspicious of strangers and other dogs. He is susceptible to ear
infections and eye injuries and is sensitive to extremes in
temperature.
Size: The Pekingese stands 8-9in at the shoulder and weighs between
10-14lb.
History and origin: The Pekingese is an ancient Chinese breed that
was brought back to Europe after the Boxer Rebellion. In 1860, when
the British invaded the Summer Palace of Peking, 5 Imperial Pekingese
were looted from the women's apartments. Before the invasion, this
dog was forbidden for anyone to own other than the Chinese Royal
family and their theft was punishable by death. This breed has always
been a companion dog.
Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is 6-8oz of meat
supplemented with biscuits and an occasional non-splintery bone.
Similar to most breeds, he likes vitamin tablets and will beg for them
like sweets. Unlimited supply of water is essential for this breed
as well as all breeds.
Exercise: An apartment is adequate for the Pekingese. This breed
requires regular but minimal exercise.
Grooming: His coat needs to be brushed using a brush with soft
bristles and combed everyday. In addition, his coat must be kept dry
to prevent matting. Many owners prefer to keep the coat cut short to
simplify maintenance.
Copyright 2006 by Jay Jennings. All rights reserved.
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