Life Span:	13-15 years
Litter Size:	2-4 puppies
Group:	Toy Group
Recognized By:	CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC
Color:	All coat colors are acceptable and of equal merit.
Hair Length:	Long
Size:	Toy/Small
Shedding:	Moderate Shed
Male Height:	6-9 inches (15-23 cm) at the withers
Male Weight:	7-14 pounds
Female Height:	6-9 inches (15-23 cm) at the withers
Female Weight:	7-14 pounds
General info courtesy of terrificpets.com. Additional information about this breed can be found on their website.
Living Area:	Although the Peke has a thick coat and can tolerate the cold, they do better as an indoor dog. They do not tolerate the heat at all and will quickly overheat. Pekes are not good swimmers and extra care should always be taken when they are around swimming pools, lakes, or major water sources.

Description

The Pekingese is a small, heavily boned, toy breed of dog. Broad in the chest, heavy in front, with narrowing through the body to the back of the hips.The legs are short and bowed. The Pekingese or " Peke ", as some prefer to call them, has a broad head. The space between the ears should be flat and not domed shaped. The eyes are large, round and wide set. The muzzle is flat and wrinkled. The wrinkle should extend over the bridge of the nose, from one cheek to the other. The nose should always be black, flat, and broad. The lower jaw is broad and undershot. The lips are black and should come together evenly . Neither the tongue nor the teeth should show when the mouth is closed. The Peke is a heavily coated breed. The hair around the neck is thick and full or frilled. The ears are long and heart shaped. They should be feathered. The tail of the pekingese is long and carried up over its back. The tail is also heavily feathered as well as the feet and elbows. The pekes massive front and tapering hindquarters, earned him the name " Lion Dog ". They have a distinct rolling gait, and never seem to be in a hurry to reach their destination.

Coat Description

The pekingese should have a long, flowing , dense stand off coat. The undercoat should be thick. The undercoat should be coarse, yet soft to the touch. The hair around the neck should form a mane. The hair should also be straight and never curly. Long feathering is found on the forelegs and thighs, as well as the ears and tail.

History

The Pekingese originated in China. For centuries they were considered sacred and could only be owned by the members of the Chinese Imperial Palace. In 1860, during the opium war, the Forbidden city was invaded by allied troups. The Emporer and his court fled, but an elderly aunt remained. She commited suicide and was found with her five Pekingese dogs around her. The allies took the dogs and they were distibuted to the Duchess of Wellington, The Duke and Duchess of Gordon and Richmond, and Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. All modern day Pekes descended from these five dogs.

Temperament

The Pekingese is stubborn and independent. He is courageous , despite his small size. He is a big dog in a small dogs body. The Peke can be a loyal family member, friendly and outgoing, but wary of strangers. They will bark at anything that they feel is out of the ordinary, and can be excellent watchdogs when they feel the family or themselves ,are in danger. They can be very self-important at times. Although they do get along well with children, they tend to prefer them to be older children. They are not always tolerate of others animals and should be well socialized at an early age. The Pekingese will often become attached to one person, and can become demanding and jealous of their "Human of choice ". They can be considered a lapdog, and are quite content to lounge in the lap of their master. Do not expect a Peke to come when called. This breed , at times, can develope selective hearing. They will often only come on command, if they feel that there is something in it for them. Bribing with treats must be carefully monitored as Pekes love to eat, and can easily become overweight. The Pekingese can be a loyal, loving and courageous friend. He also has a stubborn side, and can be jealous of anything or anyone , that he feels may veer the attention of his master away from his often self centered self.

Thyroid Disease - Low Risk

The Pekingese ranks #126 among all breeds for autoimmune thyroiditis prevalence. This is considered a low risk breed so your chances of obtaining a dog with the disease is small. It is still suggested that dogs meant for breeding still be tested to help bring the incidence of disease even lower (or even eliminate it). 

Rank Among Breeds	Number of Dogs Tested	Percent of Dogs With Disease
#126	652	2%

You can download the full report (on all breeds) by the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. Here

Other Health Problems

The most serious health issue and also the leading cause of death is Congestive Heart Failure. Other main health issues of the Pekingese are : Breathing problems, Eye Issues and Skin Allergies. Pekes are also more susceptible to back and spine injuries