Breed Attributes

A Pekingese should be courageous and have great self-esteem. Their temperament should be a combination of regal dignity, intelligence and self-importance. They are opinionated but affectionate, and many are just plain stubborn but loving.

One of the first things a person sees is a Peke’s head and face. Look for large, dark, wide set eyes. The head should appear big, almost massive. A wrinkle covers the nose top, but should not drape over and interfere with open nostrils. The legs should be short & sturdy. The front legs are slightly bowed, giving the breed its characteristic rolling gait. 

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Pekingese should have a long, course- textured coat with a stand-off outer coat and thick undercoat. The coat forms a noticeable mane on the neck and shoulder area with the coat on the remainder of the body somewhat shorter in length. As the Chinese Empress Tzu Hsi wrote when she created the first standard for Pekingese: “Let the lion dog be small; let it wear the swelling cape of dignity around its neck; let it display the billowing standard of pomp above its back.” ​

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All colors are acceptable. The rims of the eyes and the nose must be solid black. Some people enjoy full black faces on Pekingese, yet others prefer partial masks or no mask at all. Pekes come in black, white, parti color, blonde (or buff) and shades of red. Size should be under 14 pounds. ​

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A Pekingese body should be pear shaped with a large wide rib and chest area tapering off to a narrow waist and rear. The rear legs should be strong and reasonably close and parallel. The front is thick and heavy-boned with a broad chest and sturdy, wide set forelegs.