The Pekingese dog has hardly had such a sacred and glorious past, and today, the Pekingese has become a more popular breedHowever, its pure lineage is synonymous with history and interesting anecdotes throughout its existence.
Among the obvious ancestors of the Pekingese are the shaggy dogs of Tibet. This dog has documentation dating back 4000 years. There is evidence that by the XNUMXth century AD, while China was ruled by the Tang dynasty, this mascot was already part of the court.
Pekingese history
Legend has it about its origin that a powerful lion king fell madly in love with a little monkey. To marry, the lion asked the Magician god Hai Ho for permission and he granted it. From the union the Pekingese was born brave like his father and intelligent and affectionate like the motherThat is why it is also known by the name of lion-dog.
The Pekingese name is due to the fact that this dog lived confined within the walls of the Forbidden City in Beijing. They were considered sacred and there was a protocol that had to be respected in front of them. Owning a pet of this breed was an absolute privilege of the imperial family and the Chinese nobility. Smuggling was punishable by death and for this reason no specimen reached Europe until 1860 during the Second Opium War, when British troops took the Summer Palace. This event is known in history as the War of the Arrow.
Western Allied forces fought the Chinese in the War of the Arrow in 1860. When they took the imperial home of Peking the Allies encountered five Pekingese. These pets were forgotten on the run or they had stayed with their owner who had decided to commit suicide. Although there is no evidence, it is It is very likely that many Pekingese have smuggled into the West. The eunuchs who cared for them had to be extremely cautious and their lives were at risk if they were discovered so the value of this pet on the black market was significant.
In 1906 the American Kennel Club already had registered copies of the breed and the Pekingese had its fans. Little by little he was gaining popularity beyond the aristocratic world but always between individuals with high purchasing power. The first American club of Pekingese was also founded in 1909.
Main physical characteristics
The Pekingese is a small breed of dog with a strong appearance and somewhat heavy for its size. They can weigh between 2 and 8 kg. However, the ideal weight of males would be a maximum of 5 kg and that of females 6 kg. In this breed the females are usually slightly larger and heavier than the males.
The head of this dog is proportionally large in relation to the body. The eyes are round, black and bulging. The size of the breed in general has a range between 15 and 25 cm in height at the withers.. Another characteristic that gives it its unique appearance is its coat, which is very attractive, but requires constant effort.
The body is rectangular in lines, with a deep chest and short legs. The skull is broad, flat, and has folds in the skin of the face. The mouth and muzzle are short and wide and the teeth are visible with the naked eye. The nose is also wide, short and with open orifices. The top of the nose should be exactly level with the center of the eyes. The ears are placed in the front part of the skull, having quite furred and long; these should not exceed the jaw.
The Pekingese has a long, layered coat that definitely adorns its body. It is two-layer and smooth. It has a showy mane on the neck and front. The inner coat is extremely woolly and fine. Hair usually grows longer on the ears, tail and back of the legs. The colors of the breed are very varied. The tail also has a lot of hair and it always keeps it on the back.
Fun facts
- This dog belonged to the Chinese nobility and was considered sacred.
- Kidnapping and smuggling of a Pekingese was punishable by torture and death.
- The Pekingese came to the West as spoils of war.
- The commoners of China were forbidden to see a Pekingese. When the members of the nobility passed with this pet they had to turn their eyes.
- The Pekingese has a myth about its origin.
- Of the three dogs that survived the wreck of the Titanic, one was Pekingese. It belonged to the millionaire Henry Harper and his name was Sun Yat Sen.
- In China, important decorations were awarded to Pekingese. One even won the Official Order of the Hat.
- The first specimen to win a title of Champion in American canine competition was the female Chiaou-Ching-Ur and belonged to the Chinese Empress Tzu Hsi.
"Salud"
The pedigree in dogs has always been in dispute when it comes to health. It's normal that According to the mixture made, the species are genetically transmitted diseases. In the case of Pekingese they tend to suffer from respiratory conditions due to the shape of the nose.
Heart disease seems common in this breed, however it is not unique to Pekingese. Due to the shape of the eyes, it is necessary to be careful not to injure them or develop infections. You should also be aware of any bone disease that may affect them.
Care
Pet care is very necessary for maintain the health and ideal appearance of the Pekingese. In principle, the coat should be brushed almost daily to avoid knots that become a refuge for parasites. Cleaning the teeth is essential, since they easily develop gingivitis and bad breath.
Part of taking care of the pet is to respect the diet, take it to the vet, have the vaccines control and make early diagnoses. It should not be forgotten that they require daily walks and their education must include proper socialization. All this is simple thanks to the fact that the Pekingese is a very intelligent pet.