Pekingese

Temperament

The Pekingese has a character that's hard to mistake for any other companion dog. It is attached to its family, often especially to one or two people, but it doesn't impose itself or demand constant petting. It can be aloof with strangers, and as an alert dog it barks to announce the doorbell. It is self-assured and stubborn and likes to make its own decisions, so training takes patience, short sessions and rewards, not force. Indoors it is usually calm, happy to rest and doesn't need much play. It generally gets along with other animals. It dislikes rough handling and noise, so it can be irritable with small children. Some dogs cope very badly with being separated from their favorite person.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Pekingese for?

The Pekingese suits a calm adult or senior who wants a small, independent apartment dog and has time for daily brushing. It does well in a home without small children, where nobody expects it to be an active companion. Skip it if you live in a very warm apartment without air conditioning, want a dog for long walks, or aren't ready to pay for eye and airway treatment.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The Pekingese needs little exercise, the Royal Kennel Club suggests up to 30 minutes a day, but short daily walks matter for its weight and mental health. On warm days, go out only at dawn and in the evening, and give it a cool spot at home: with its flat face and thick coat, heatstroke is a risk even at moderate temperatures. The coat needs daily brushing down to the skin, especially behind the ears, on the trousers and under the belly, and the hair around the rear end should be trimmed for hygiene. Wipe and dry the fold over the nose and the eyes every day. Use a harness instead of a collar. Tooth brushing and regular vet checkups are a must in this breed. Don't let it jump off furniture, since its long back and short legs are prone to injury.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Pekingese is a brachycephalic breed, so its main problem is brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), which makes breathing and cooling down difficult, raises the risks of anesthesia and can cause digestive problems. The Royal Kennel Club places the breed in Category 3 of Breed Watch, and from August 2026 it recognizes the Respiratory Function Grading scheme for the breed, which from 2027 will be required of breeders who meet its highest standards. The large, prominent eyes are prone to dry eye, ulcers and injuries, and progressive retinal atrophy also occurs in the breed. Patellar luxation and dental disease are common. Choose a breeder who tests the breathing and eyes of breeding dogs.

• brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)The flat face makes breathing and cooling down difficult and raises the risks of anesthesia.
• dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca, KCS)A lack of tears causes painful, red eyes and encourages corneal ulcers.
• corneal ulcers and injuriesThe large, prominent eyes are prone to scratches and irritation.
• progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)Inherited retinal degeneration leading to blindness.
• patellar luxationCommon in small breeds; causes intermittent limping on a hind leg.
• dental diseaseThe shortened jaw crowds the teeth and promotes tartar buildup.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

For centuries the Pekingese was tied to the Chinese imperial court. It reached Europe after October 1860, when, during the Second Opium War, British and French troops looted the Old Summer Palace near Beijing and carried off several small dogs. A female that Captain John Hart Dunne gave to Queen Victoria was named Looty, after the spoils of war. The breed quickly became popular with the British aristocracy and later around the world. The FCI standard, held under British patronage, describes the Pekingese as a lion-like dog, small but massive. In recent decades, European kennel clubs have paid increasing attention to the exaggerated shortening of the muzzle and excessive coat in this breed.

Fun facts

• According to the FCI standard, the Pekingese should look small but be surprisingly heavy when picked up.
• The standard allows all colors and markings except albino, liver and merle.
• Looty, probably the first Pekingese in England, lived with Queen Victoria until the dog died at Windsor Castle in 1872.
• The Pekingese and the Japanese Chin form a section of their own in the FCI classification.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Small dog breeds
• Best dogs for apartments
• Calm dog breeds

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 207 – Pekingesefci.be
2. 2Royal Kennel Club – Pekingeseroyalkennelclub.com
3. 3PetMD – Pekingesepetmd.com
4. 4Wikipedia – Looty (dog)en.wikipedia.org

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.