Pekingese 120

The Pekingese, also affectionately referred to as a Peke, is an ancient dog breed and one of the dogs specifically bred by the noble ruling classes of China. Their origins seem to stretch so many centuries back that it is hard to say how old the Pekingese breed actually is, but the earliest records show them appearing during the 8th century to the Tang dynasty. They are known for the longer fur around their neck that forms a “lion’s mane”.

Chinese legends even say that Buddha created this dog breed by shrinking a lion down to small dog size. Because the Peke was created by Chinese emperors and their court, they were prized noble and royal companions. They were often called Sun Dogs, Lion Dogs, or Sleeve Dogs as they were small enough to be carried within the large sleeves common to those living in the imperial household. It is even said that stealing one of these royal dogs was considered a crime and it was punishable by death.

The Pekingese didn’t come to the West until the Second Opium War of 1860 when British troops stormed the emperor’s summer palace in what is now considered Beijing. These British troops brought a few Pekes back to England and presented them to Queen Victoria and other English nobility as a gift. The Pekingese came to the United States in the late 1890s. The AKC recognized the Pekingese in 1906 and they are a member of the Toy Group.