Where the Pekingese came from
The Pekingese comes from China, where the breed was kept by the imperial court. Its name refers to Beijing, once spelled Peking. Only people in the palace were allowed to own them.
In 1860, during the Second Opium War, British and French forces sacked and burned the Old Summer Palace in Beijing. An officer named Captain John Hart Dunne found a Pekingese and brought it to England, where it was given to Queen Victoria and named Looty. The common story of five dogs found beside an aunt of the emperor is not backed by documents from the time.
The AKC recognized the Pekingese in 1906. The breed has won Best in Show at Westminster five times. They are still bold, proud little dogs.
- 1860 Looty, a Pekingese taken from the Old Summer Palace, is given to Queen Victoria
- 1906 AKC recognizes the Pekingese
The job a Pekingese was bred for
Pekingese were palace companions, bred for looks and company. That is why many are bold, stubborn and sure that they are in charge.
What you may see at home
Bold, stubborn, snores, bossy for their size.
Give them: Short tricks, slow walks, and cool rest spaces.
Sports that fit a Pekingese
- Trick dog. Short sessions with food keep them engaged
- Rally. Gentle obedience done at a slow pace
- Scent work. Low impact and rewarding
- Therapy visits. Calm lap dogs who enjoy company
Training tips for a Pekingese
- Use tiny treats and short, fun sessions. Pekingese quit when pushed.
- Teach a leash habit that does not tug on the neck, such as with a harness.
- Practice handling for grooming and vet visits, and pay for calm.
- Avoid hot weather and hard exercise. Teach settle and rest.
Body and health
Pekingese have short noses and can have trouble with breathing and heat. They also have large eyes that are prone to injury, and long backs. Keep them lean and cool.
Fun fact. The Pekingese has won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show five times.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Pekingese is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Free tools for your dog
- Breed drive calculatorMixed breed? Add the other breeds and see the drives your dog was bred with.
- Dog breed quizTen photos, four names each. The same quiz our trainers take.
- Dog drive testAnswer everyday moments and find the job your dog runs on.
Looking for a different breed? See what 137 breeds were bred to do, and download any of their guides.