GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Approximately 25cm (10”).
Colour: Whole colours with or without a mask. Parti-colours to be evenly broken up.
Coat: Profuse mane, long and straight outercoat with a thick undercoat. Gait: A dignified rolling gait created by a broad chest and narrower
hindquarters.Leonine in appearance, these small thickset toy dogs display dignity and quality. The head is massive with a broad flat skull, short wide muzzle and nostrils placed high up between the eyes. The high set ears are well feathered and pendant. The large dark eyes are lustrous. The broad chest should reach well below the elbows; forelegs should be bowed, hindquarters lighter and topped with a well feathered tail which is carried over the back.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
These aloof little dogs are anything but toyish in character. They seem to be aware of their royal heritage and expect to be the centre of attention. They make up their own minds whether to accept someone or not, but to their owners there is no more loyal companion than a Pekingese. They are surprisingly heavy weighing up to 5.5kg (l2lb). Weekly grooming is required and possibly more during the seasonal coat drop.
HISTORY
This breed has a romantic history that can be traced back 2,000 years to the Chinese Tang Dynasty. The Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso and Pekingese are all believed to have emanated from the same progenitors. For centuries, it was rare to find Pekingese anywhere but in the Royal Palaces and temples, where the breeding was left in the hands of the eunuchs. Stringent rules made it rare for these dogs to be seen in public. During some Royal ceremonies, Pekingese were trained to walk in processions holding the edge of the royal gowns in their mouths. In 1860, when the British besieged the Imperial Palace one member of the Royal family committed suicide and the soldiers found four Pekingese valiantly defending her body. These same dogs were taken back to Britain and one was presented to Queen Victoria.