Most people look up Pekingese facts when they’re deciding whether this small, flat-faced dog will cope with their home, their climate, and their day-to-day routine. The breed can fit beautifully into a quiet household, but their build comes with real trade-offs: grooming time, eye care, and a higher risk of breathing and heat problems.
Below is a clear, practical guide to what a Pekingese is like to live with—size, temperament, exercise, training, grooming, health risks, and the pieces of history that explain their distinctive “lion dog” look.
At a glance: Pekingese basics
- Size: Toy breed; typically around 6–9 inches (15–23 cm) at the shoulder, with an ideal weight up to about 5–5.4 kg in the breed standard.1
- Coat: Moderately long, straight, with a coarse top coat and thick, soft undercoat; feathering on ears, legs, tail, and toes.1
- Temperament: Bold, independent, affectionate with their people; can be reserved with strangers.2
- Life span: Commonly around 12–14 years (sometimes longer with good care).3
- Exercise: Short, steady walks and gentle play; avoid heat and overexertion (especially important in flat-faced breeds).4
- Grooming: Regular brushing to prevent mats; routine face and eye-area cleaning; coat must not be allowed to restrict movement or comfort.1
- Common health concerns: Brachycephalic (flat-faced) airway issues and heat intolerance; eye injuries/ulcers; orthopaedic issues such as kneecap (patella) problems can occur.5, 6
Appearance and breed traits
The Pekingese is compact, low to the ground, and surprisingly solid when you lift them. A mane-like ruff frames the head and shoulders, with long feathering on the ears, legs, tail, and feet. The coat is meant to be abundant, but not so excessive that it hampers movement or hides the dog’s shape.1
Colours and markings are broad-ranging. In the breed standard, all colours and markings are permissible, with a few specific exclusions (such as liver and merle) noted in some standards.1
Temperament: what they’re like to live with
Pekingese tend to move through the house like small, self-possessed observers. They’re often deeply attached to their family, but not always fussed about attention from strangers. Many will alert-bark, then return to whatever comfortable spot they were guarding.2
They’re not typically a “busy” breed. Expect short periods of play, followed by long stretches of stillness—especially in warm weather or after a walk.
Children and other pets
A well-socialised Pekingese can do fine in a family, but they’re usually best with calm, respectful handling. Because they’re small and their eyes are prominent, rough play is a poor match. Supervise interactions with younger children, and teach kids to avoid grabbing, squeezing, or letting the dog jump from heights.
With other animals, early introductions and steady, low-pressure socialisation matter. Some Pekingese are indifferent; others are assertive. Keep early meetings short and positive.
Exercise: keep it steady, keep it cool
Pekingese don’t need long runs. They do better with gentle, routine movement—short walks, sniffing time, and play that doesn’t tip into heavy panting.
Because Pekingese are brachycephalic, their ability to cool themselves can be limited, especially during exercise or warm, humid conditions. Heat management is not optional: it’s part of basic care.4, 5
Practical heat-safety habits
- Walk in the cooler parts of the day, and keep sessions short in summer.4
- Use a harness rather than a collar to reduce pressure around the neck and airway.4
- Keep body weight lean; extra weight increases breathing workload and heat risk.4
- Know your dog’s “normal” breathing sounds so you notice changes early.
Training: intelligent, selective, and easily bored
Pekingese can learn quickly, but they’re not famous for doing things just because they’re asked. Keep training calm and brief, with clear boundaries and rewards that matter to the dog (tiny treats, a toy, a favourite spot on the sofa).
Harsh corrections tend to backfire. Aim for consistency, low drama, and simple routines—especially for toileting and polite walking.
Grooming and coat care
That lion-dog coat is beautiful, but it’s a maintenance relationship. Brush several times a week to prevent mats and to lift out dead undercoat. Pay attention behind the ears, under the elbows, and around the tail—mat “hot spots” where tangles form quietly.1
Keep the face area clean and dry. For many Pekingese, careful daily wiping around the eyes helps prevent staining and irritation. If you notice squinting, redness, discharge, or sudden sensitivity to light, treat it as urgent—eye problems can escalate fast in breeds with prominent eyes.6
Health: the issues to take seriously
Pekingese are brachycephalic. That flat face is part of their charm, but it can also mean narrowed nostrils, an elongated soft palate, and other upper-airway changes that reduce airflow and make cooling less efficient. In more serious cases, dogs may struggle with exercise, excitement, and hot weather, and some benefit from veterinary assessment and (when appropriate) surgical correction.5, 7
Signs a Pekingese may be struggling to breathe or cope with heat
- Very noisy breathing at rest, or worsening snoring/stertor
- Exercise intolerance (stopping early, sitting down, refusing to move)
- Retching or regurgitation linked to excitement or activity
- Gums or tongue looking bluish, or collapse (an emergency)
If you see collapse, blue gums, or severe distress, seek emergency veterinary help immediately. BOAS and heat illness can become life-threatening quickly.5
Other common problems to watch for
Eyes: Prominent eyes are more exposed to injury and corneal ulcers. Even small scratches can become painful ulcers.6
Joints: Small breeds can be prone to issues such as patellar luxation. Keep nails trimmed, keep weight down, and limit jumping off furniture.
History: a small dog shaped by palaces
Pekingese developed in China as companion dogs closely associated with imperial life. Their stylised “lion dog” look echoes the traditional guardian lion imagery found across Chinese art and architecture.2
A well-known turning point for the breed in the West came after the 1860 looting of the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) during the Second Opium War, when a handful of dogs were taken to Britain; one was presented to Queen Victoria and became known as “Looty”.8
Is a Pekingese right for you?
A Pekingese tends to suit households that like quiet company, predictable routines, and indoor living with short, gentle outings. They’re often happiest with someone who doesn’t mind brushing, who notices small health changes early, and who takes heat management seriously.
If you’re choosing a puppy, prioritise breathing and overall soundness over extremes of face shape and coat. Ask about the parents’ breathing tolerance, exercise tolerance, and any history of airway surgery or eye disease.
References
- Dogs NSW (ANKC). Pekingese breed standard
- American Kennel Club (AKC). Facts about the Pekingese
- WebMD. What to know about Pekingese
- RSPCA. How to care for a flat-faced dog
- University of Cambridge. BOAS: recognition and diagnosis (including heat intolerance)
- Merck Veterinary Manual (Dog Owners). Corneal ulcers in dogs
- Merck Veterinary Manual (Professional). Initial triage and resuscitation of small animal emergency patients (airway obstruction; BOAS listed)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica. Pekingese
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom