Is the Pekingese dog breed good for families? The Pekingese may be small, but they are also pretty feisty. While they do make great companions, one thing that they do not like is to be treated roughly. Given that youngsters often engage in rough play with their pets, this may not be the ideal option if you have very young children. However, if you have older children that are unlikely to be rough with your pet, they can make great family dogs.
In this article, we will provide you with an overview of this distinctive toy dog breed along with some specific details. This will make it easier for you to make an informed choice with regards to whether this is the right dog breed choice for you and your family
There is a reason why dogs are known to be ‘man’s best friend’. Most dogs are affectionate, loyal, loving, and devoted to their owners, which makes the ideal choice when it comes to companionship. In fact, many dogs are not just pets, but actual members of the household because they become so integrated into family life. If you are looking for a small dog breed to become part of your family, one option is the cute Pekingese. So, how well suited it this breed for family life?
With its tiny size and its alert, cute expression, the Pekingese has become a popular pet over the years. These dogs are dignified, sweet, and affectionate but they do also have a very stubborn streak. Originating from China, the breed has ancient roots and they were once the favourite choice of royalty and nobility in China. Their resemblance to Chinese guardian lions earned them the nickname ‘lion dogs’.
This breed is known for its good nature, but it is important to note that they do not deal well with rough handling. This is why they may not be the ideal choice for those with boisterous toddlers in the household. In terms of appearance, the Pekingese is a very attractive breed with gorgeous hair that comes in various colours.
It is thought that this breed is one of the oldest in the world, but they were not introduced to the Western world until the mid-1800s. When some of them were captured by British soldiers and brought to England, they were given as gifts to dignitaries. In fact, one of the people to receive a Pekingese as a gift at this time was Queen Victoria.
How long do Pekingese dogs live
Given that you may be considering this breed to be part of the family it would be useful to know how long they are going to be around.
Most Pekingese dogs live around 12 to 15 years
Personality
This dog breed has various personality traits. As a rule, they are affectionate, devoted, loving and loyal to their owners and family. However, when it comes to strangers, they are often cautious and on their guard. They tend to have a very stubborn streak that verges on obstinate and they can also be extremely protective and show a lot of bravado given their small size.
As mentioned previously, these dogs were a huge hit with nobility and royalty in China, and this is something that appears to be ingrained into their personality. It shows in the dignity and grace with which they carry themselves coupled with the slight air of self-importance.
Pekingese Temperament
Their fierce loyalty and total devotion to their owners makes this breed a great choice when it comes to temperament. Despite their stubbornness and self-important streak, these dogs are very loving and sweet with their family.
They can become a little bossy if you give them to chance to, so you need to make sure you don’t let your pet rule the roost. They can also be quite snappy and growly as well as pretty headstrong so firm commands will be needed occasionally.
Adaptability
Because of their small size, the Pekingese is ideal for apartment living, although they are also ideal for larger homes as well. One thing to bear in mind when it comes to adaptability is that they do tend to form a very close bond with their owner, so if you plan to be away for long periods and have someone else look after your pet, this could be a challenge.
If you have a lot of people visiting your home, you may also face challenges with this breed, as they are wary of strangers. However, they will get used to them, so you won’t have an issue with those that visit on a regular basis.
Feeding a Pekingese
When it comes to feeding, you won’t have much of a problem with this breed, as they are easy to cater to in terms of their diet. You can give them a combination of high-quality dry food and some wet pouches or canned food. Always ensure the food you purchase is of high quality, as this will ensure your pet gets the right nourishment for optimum health.
One thing you do need to bear in mind is that the Pekingese can be prone to weight gain, which can be a big problem given their small size. You may find your pet lurking around hoping for table scraps when you eat, but this is something you need to be very careful about. If you do not monitor your dog’s food intake carefully, you could see the pounds piling on.
Exercising your Pekingese
Another important point to think about is the dog’s exercise requirements. Some dogs do not need huge amounts of exercise, and fortunately, the Pekingese is one of them. While they do enjoy going for walks and strutting their stuff around town with their owner, they do not require a lot of physical activity for their health and wellness. They can be quite playful and active on their own when they are younger, but this tends to wane as they get older.
Grooming a Pekingese Dog
This is a breed with a fabulous and beautiful coat. However, this beauty does come at a price – regular grooming. It is important to groom your dog on a regular basis, with some requiring daily grooming in order to keep tangles and matting at bay. It does take a lot of patience to go through this regular grooming process, so you need to ensure you put time aside each day to do this.
How often should you bathe a Pekingese?
If you plan on bathing your Pekingese, you should try and limit it to two or three times a year. If you bathe your pet any more than this, it could dry out their coat. Some owners do have the coat of their dog trimmed or cut in order to reduce the amount of grooming required but many owners prefer to keep the lustrous coat as it is.
Training a Pekingese
Unfortunately, when it comes to training a Pekingese, you will face a real challenge. These dogs are extremely difficult to train, and this is partly down to their stubbornness and that fact that they seem to have a very high opinion of themselves! They can be extremely headstrong and bossy, and if you let them get away with being like this, you will find training even more difficult.
In order to make training easier, you should keep the sessions short rather than attempting to give orders for hours at a time. You should also use treats and praise to motivate your pet and help you get positive results from the training sessions.
This breed does have a high level of intelligence. However, while other dog breeds may use their intelligence to obey and learn tricks, the Pekingese uses it to try and become the top dog in the household given half the chance. This is why you need to be firm in relation to who is the alpha in the household!
Of course, you can consider professional training classes for your Pekingese, and this is a great way to not only enhance training but also help to socialise them with other dogs. Professionals will be used to working with stubborn dog breeds, so they will be able to use their skills and expertise to get past any trainability problems with your pet.
Conclusion about the Pekingese
There is no doubt that the Pekingese is a very sweet, extremely cute, and wonderfully loyal dog breed. This makes them an excellent choice for all sorts of people, from seniors looking for a loving companion through to singles, couples, and families. However, although they can make great family dogs, you need to remember that they are best suited to families with older children and not those with boisterous toddlers and babies.
You also have to take into consideration the grooming requirements for this breed. If you have lots of family commitments and very little time, you may struggle to keep on top of your pet’s grooming needs, which can cause issues for both you and your dog. So, before you make your choice, you need to ensure you can commit to daily grooming for your pet.
Having said that, the fact that this breed does not require a huge amount of exercise, is pretty easy to feed, and enjoys indoor life means that they are relatively easy dogs to keep. This could make them ideal for family life.
