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