Pekingese
Overview
A flat-faced imperial lapdog bred for centuries in the Chinese court, the Pekingese is dignified, affectionate and confident, content to reign from a cushion. It suits calm homes — flats included — happy to commit to daily grooming of the long coat, and aware of the breathing and eye care a brachycephalic toy breed needs.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Pekingese is best with older, calm children and can be selective with other dogs. They tend to be a quiet, and as a guide they are better with some experience. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Pekingese typically needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (roughly 30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content; mental stimulation matters as much as the distance covered. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is daily / professional and shedding is moderate. Plan on frequent brushing — often several times a week — plus regular trips to a professional groomer to keep the coat free of mats. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Pekingese should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a toy breed will eat relatively little compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Dignified, affectionate and content in flats
- +A loyal little companion
Things to consider
- –A flat-faced breed prone to breathing and eye problems
- –Long coat needs daily grooming and they can be stubborn
Is a Pekingese right for you?
On space, a Pekingese is flat-friendly — they can adapt to a flat as long as they get their daily exercise and company. For experience level, they are better with some experience. First-time owners can absolutely succeed, but should be ready for consistent training, exercise and (ideally) some support.
Kit that suits a Pekingese
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Pekingeses good with children?
Best with older, calm children. As a general guide, Pekingeses tend to be better suited to homes with older children or no young children. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Pekingese need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Pekingese needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Pekingeses shed a lot?
Moderate shedding. Coat upkeep is daily / professional — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.
Are Pekingeses easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Better with some experience. Pekingeses are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Pekingeses bark a lot?
Quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Pekingeses good with other dogs?
Can be selective with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Pekingeses suit flats or smaller homes?
Flat-friendly. A Pekingese can adapt to flat living as long as it gets its daily exercise and company.