| PEKINGESE - THE HISTORY OF THE PEKINGESE DOG | | | | first taken to England after the Allied |
| The Pekingese dates back as far as 2000 B.C. | | | | occupation of Peking in 1860, whereby five of |
| The Pekingese has for years, been worshiped | | | | the dogs were found in the Summer Palace next |
| in the temples of China. It was also | | | | to their masters who had committed suicide to |
| customary for the emperor to select four | | | | avoid being captured. The Pekingese received |
| Pekes who were to become his bodyguards. The | | | | a great deal of attention in England, and one |
| emperor would be preceded by these four Pekes | | | | of the five dogs was even presented to Queen |
| on such occasions of state, whereby two of | | | | Victoria as a gift. It was in 1911, after the |
| them would announce his approach at correct | | | | death of the Empress Dowager that Chinese |
| intervals with sharp, piercing barks, while | | | | officials began an extensive extermination of |
| the other two would daintily hold the hem of | | | | the Pekingese, in order to prevent them from |
| his royal robe in their mouths. At night, | | | | ending up in unworthy hands. There were very |
| they would carry small lanterns strapped to | | | | few Chinese Pekingese that escaped the |
| their necks. It would be considered a crime | | | | massacre. It was in the year of 1898 that the |
| to steal or injure a Peke, and this would | | | | first Pekingese came to America. The |
| result in the punishment of death. Most of | | | | Pekingese has since been highly popular in |
| the memorable history of the Pekinese goes | | | | the USA, ranking in the top 25 on the AKCs |
| back to these times, especially the old | | | | registrations listing. The Pekingese is an |
| legend of the lion who fell in love with a | | | | ideal pet. It makes a fabulous companion and |
| marmoset, and in order for him to marry his | | | | has low exercise demands, which means that it |
| lady love, the lion had to beg the patron | | | | is ideal for those individuals that do not |
| saint of the animals, who was named Ah Chu, | | | | have a great deal of mobility for long walks. |
| to reduce him to the size of a pigmy, but to | | | | Some dog owners and breeders and changed the |
| allow him to retain his lion heart character. | | | | way they spell the original name and miss out |
| It was then that the dogs Fu Lin or the Lion | | | | the G; Pekinese is a now a commonly used term |
| Dog of China was descended. These then became | | | | for this dog. This breed is very loyal and |
| the special pets of the Chinese Emperors, and | | | | affectionate, and because of its tendency to |
| such items of art such as screens, vases, | | | | bark, it can make a good watchdog. These dogs |
| pottery and sculpture included these | | | | do not like to be handled in a rough manner |
| likenesses. These dogs were described in | | | | or being shouted at, as they have a very |
| Confucius times as little dogs. The breeding | | | | sensitive personality. Therefore, a Pekingese |
| of these dogs, which were now called | | | | dog would not be recommended for such |
| Pekingese, reached its height during the Tao | | | | individuals that are impatient, or with very |
| Kuang period between the years of 1821 to | | | | little time for their pet. Even though the |
| 1851. There were never any records of | | | | Pekingese does like to play and has energetic |
| pedigrees kept. Prenatal impression was the | | | | moments, it is at its happiest to sit and |
| method which was mostly in fashion. The | | | | relax, gladly accepting any creature comforts |
| mothers would be taken to see pictures and | | | | that you may want to give it. It is a breed |
| sculptures of the most beautiful dogs several | | | | that gets along well with children, as long |
| times a day. They would then have their | | | | as the children are gentle. They will usually |
| preferred colors hung in their sleeping | | | | get on well with other animals, however, it |
| quarters, while they would sleep on sheepskin | | | | is recommended that early socializing is |
| which would suggest a generous coat. All | | | | undertaken. It is essential to remember that |
| Pekingese that were white in color were | | | | the Pekingese can be somewhat proud, over |
| greatly prized and the subject of much | | | | confident and self-centered, therefore making |
| superstition. This was partly because of the | | | | it difficult to train. |
| rarity and partly because white is the color | | | | |
| of mourning in China. Whenever a white | | | | Copyright John Adams Dog Breeds Explained.The |
| Pekingese came into sight, it was believed | | | | Pekingese is a darling of a dog. If you like |
| that it was the spirit of a great man and was | | | | to pamper and cuddle, the Pekingese could be |
| usually kept in the Temple and treated with | | | | the perfect dog for you Pekingese dog breed |
| the highest of respect. The Pekingese was | | | | explained. |