Full of self-importance, confident independence, and exasperating stubbornness, the proud Pekingese (PEEK-in-ees) reflects its royal Chinese upbringing with a preference for a soft pillow from which he can survey and scrutinize his domain. Pekingese can shower their loved ones with great affection but many times they seem to be more social with other pets than their human family. In any event, they should be protected from children as they won’t submit to rough treatment from someone the dog views as below himself in importance and they are easily injured. Even though they are only modestly active both inside and out, and usually above simple play, they benefit from but require little if any additional exercise. Generally quiet, they still make an outstanding watchdog, quick to sound the alarm when someone drops by. Not just a sissy lap dog, although they will not start a fight, they are unlikely to walk away from one if threatened. But like others in the toy group, they are too small to make a good guard dog. With their low-key nature and preference for supervising from their pillow throne, their motto seems to be “Let others do it and I’ll watch.” Like other dogs with short muzzles, a Pekingese tends to snort and snore. They also tend to be possessive of their food and toys.

There are two types of Pekingese, both tiny. Those called sleeves weigh six pounds or less. The standard weighs up to 14 pounds and stands at most 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder. They have large eyes that need protected from injury and regularly monitored. Both varieties have a course, dense coat that normally needs to be brushed at least once a week, twice a week is better. During seasonal shedding, brushing should be increased to every day. Coat colors include red, fawn, white, black, black and tan, parti-color, sable, and brindle. Like other dogs with a short muzzle, the Pekingese is subject to breathing problems. He is also prone to heatstroke in hot, humid, stuffy conditions. Heavy exercise or play should only be conducted in cool temperatures even though in winter they will lie in window sun squares until they pant. In summer they enjoy the shade and air conditioning. Not as sensitive to low temperatures, they do moderately well in the cold.

The Pekingese requires only modest socialization but can be confoundingly difficult to train as a result of their legendary obstinance. If formal training is to be attempted it must be light and must use only positive training methods. A trainer is rewarded with the best results if he can make the dog feel as if it is doing what it wanted to do, to begin with. Provided the resistance to training and ramifications of a short muzzle are understood (including the advisability of using a harness rather than a collar), they make a reasonable choice for a novice dog owner.