Pekingese are loving little dogs who do best in a family where someone is around all day to be with them. They have lots of character and are very happy to potter around the home and ‘help’ with anything you are up to.

Pekes do well in a calm, adult only home environments where they get plenty of attention on their terms. However if brought up around children they will be their best friend. Pekes are clever dogs and can be fairly easy to train in the right hands.

Pekingese and barking

As with any dog, your Pekingese is likely to make noise and this will be down to the individual dog, their personality and training. Pekes are known for liking the sound of their own voice, though, so it’s important to start reward-based training early to try and nip this in the bud. If you’re having a problem with excessive noise we recommend seeking the advice of an accredited behaviourist. Their bark is low and muffled, so more bearable than say a Dashund bark. They sound like a pug.

Training and socialisation

Pekingese are intelligent dogs who are eager to please, so respond well to positive, reward-based training from a young age. They can be a little independent when it comes to training, though, so you’ll need to be patient and consistent. Some Pekes can be a little selfish with their things and don’t like to share, so early training around this is really important. If you’re a first time owner or need some extra guidance when training your dog, we’d recommend taking them to accredited training classes.

It’s important to socialise your Pekingese from a young age with lots of different people, dogs and experiences. While they can be confident and social dogs, some Pekes are known to be wary of new things. Socialising them from a young age will help them to learn that new things can be exciting and are nothing to be afraid of.

Pekes get very attached to their owners. After all, they were bred to be companion dogs! This means that they can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone. We’d only recommend getting a Peke if someone will be around all day with.

Exercise

Only use a harness and lead, not collar and lead. Pekingese are fairly chilled out dogs when it comes to exercise. They still need enough to keep them slim and healthy, but they are not nearly as high maintenance as some other breeds.

Your Pekingese will need a minimum of half an hour exercise every day. Due to their flatter noses, it’s important not to overdo it as they can struggle to breath. A couple of shorter walks with off-lead time in between should be plenty for them. Remember to take a break if it looks like your Peke is struggling.

On top of this, remember that your Pekingese will also enjoy training sessions and lots of playtime. As they have thick fur and flat faces, you’ll need to be aware of the signs of heatstroke and avoid exercising them on hotter days. Instead, try walking them early in the morning or in the evening when the temperature is cooler.

Grooming

Pekingese have really thick, long fur that will need a daily brush to stop it from getting tangled and matted. Some owners find their fur more manageable when they get them professionally groomed. They dont shed a lot throughout the year, usually in spring and autumn. Do not shave your peke! This will dramatically effect how hair grows. Pls see our Bridget and Bea insta for grooming tips.

Cream/white pekes can be prone to tear stains. We have found an amazing produce called SHOW OFF you can get this online.

As Pekingese have wrinkles on their faces, they’re more at risk of developing infections such as skin fold dermatitis. You’ll need to make sure their folds are kept clean and dry. It’s best to use a cotton wool pad to clean them and always make sure you dry them thoroughly afterwards. MALASEB shampoo is a medicated shampoo that we have tried and tested.

IVDD

Same as dachshunds, pekes have long bodies and short legs. Do not let them jump on and off furniture or run up and down stairs. If you look after your Peke and avoids these things IVDD will not be a problem.

Pekingese and children

While Pekingese love human company, they tend to do better in adult-only households or families with older children who understand how to behave around dogs. Sometimes younger children don’t understand how to treat dogs with respect and some Pekes can become frustrated and may display unwanted behaviours such as nipping, particularly if a young child is making them nervous.

Remember to make sure you can recognise your dog’s body language so you can put a stop to any potentially stressful situations before they escalate. Always supervise your dog with children and vulnerable adults.

Pekingese and other pets

It’s important to socialise your Pekingese with other dogs from a young age to help them feel happy and relaxed around them. This early socialisation will help them to be confident around a variety of breeds (Pekes in particular often forget just how small they are!).

Pekes don’t really have a prey drive, but it’s still important to supervise them around other pets in case they get the urge to chase. They will usually get along fine with a cat they have grown up with but may well chase unfamiliar cats away.

Food

Your Pekingese’s diet will vary depending on their age. You’ll need to feed them a complete, balanced dog food to keep them slim and healthy.

Your vet will be able to tell you how much your Pekingese should be eating. You should feed them a good quality, commercially available, complete dog food. We have tried many dog foods over the years, we now only use PURINA. We usually recommend splitting their daily allowance into two meals. Or ideally leave a bowl of food out all day for them to graze. If you give your dog the occasional treat to help train, we suggest using their food. Treats if given shouldn’t make up more than 10% of their daily calorie intake as this can unbalance their diet. Treats can also be full of sugar and additives.

Try to feed your dog at similar times every day if not grazing as they like routine. Remember to leave a gap between eating and exercising.

ALWAYS LEAVE A FRESH BOWL OF WATER OUT.