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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+5
Dogs
# The Pekingese: temperament, price, health, and breeders
China
Small noble companion dog, calm and very attached to its owner.
Size SmallLife expectancy 13–15 yearsBudget ≈ €81/monthPuppy €900 – €1,400
[Find a breeder 11](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pekingese) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=pekingese)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Limited
Daily exercise needs Low
Apartment living Excellent
First-time owners Very good
Other pets Fair
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Fair
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very well-suited to indoor living: Its small size and limited need for exercise make it a good companion for apartment living.
- Calm on a daily basis: It appreciates calm households and is satisfied with a quiet pace of life.
- Vigilant: Despite its size, it readily alerts to visitors or unusual noises.
- Independent temperament: Its obedience is not spontaneous and its training requires consistency and patience.
- Regular grooming: Its long coat and fragile eyes require a consistent care routine.
- Limited tolerance for children: It often tolerates agitation and rough handling poorly.
- Sensitivity to heat: Its morphology exposes it to rapid discomfort in hot weather.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Calm people: The Pekingese thrives with calm owners who appreciate a quiet companion dog.
- Seniors: Its moderate exercise needs are well suited to a more peaceful lifestyle.
- Apartment living: It adapts easily to urban housing as long as it lives in warmth near its owner.
Not recommended for
- Very lively families: He prefers stable environments and may have a hard time with constant noise and commotion.
- Young children: Rough handling and a lack of respect for his space can make him uncomfortable.
- Very athletic owners: This is not a dog designed for long outings or intensive activities.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
20 cmPekingese
- Height at the withers
- 14–25 cm
- Weight
- 3–5 kg
- Coat
- Long, straight
- FCI group
- 9
- Origin
- China
- Grooming
- High-maintenance coat
## Photos and videos
See the Pekingese in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Pekingese is a very ancient breed originating from China. Long considered a sacred dog at the imperial court, it enjoyed an exceptional status and its ownership was closely protected. The breed spread to Europe after the looting of the Summer Palace in Beijing in 1860, when several specimens were taken to England and then offered to prominent figures, including Queen Victoria. Today, the Pekingese remains an emblematic companion dog, appreciated for its noble appearance and its assertive temperament.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Pekingese is a small dog with short legs, a compact body, a broad chest and a level back. Its head is broad, with round, dark eyes, heart-shaped ears richly fringed and a lively expression. Its coat is long and straight, with a pronounced mane that enhances its leonine appearance. All coat colors are permitted except liver brown and albinism.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
The Pekingese is an intelligent, loyal dog and very attached to its owner. It is calm and gentle on a daily basis with its close circle, but often remains distant, wary and more reserved towards strangers. Courageous despite its small size, it retains an assertive and independent temperament that needs to be understood and respected.
Affectionate
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
The Pekingese likes indoor life and copes well with the pace of a calm household. It does not need long outings, but appreciates short moments of walking and quiet games at home. Vigilant, it can bark quickly in case of intrusion or novelty. It is generally more at ease in a stable environment than in a very hectic family life.
Training
## Training and socialization
The education of the Pekingese must be firm, consistent and always carried out without brutality. Its independence and its taste for deciding by itself make obedience less natural than in other breeds. Positive reinforcement, stable rules and the absence of laxity are essential to avoid bad habits, notably greediness and stubborn behaviors.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Pekingese
The purchase price of the Pekingese varies depending on the quality of the bloodline, the breeder’s reputation, sex and registration in the studbook. Routine upkeep remains moderate, but the budget may increase with grooming care and monitoring of the eyes or dentition.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pekingese/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Pekingese is a small dog that is generally robust, but certain areas require regular vigilance, notably the eyes, the mouth and breathing. Its particular morphology and abundant coat require careful maintenance to preserve its comfort and limit complications.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pekingese/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Pekingese’s diet must be of good quality and adapted to its small size as well as to its moderate activity level. A balanced formula helps preserve its weight, its skin, the quality of its coat and its overall comfort.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pekingese/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Pekingese has long been associated with the Chinese imperial nobility, where it was considered a sacred dog. Its small lion-like appearance is no coincidence and is part of the breed’s historical identity. After its arrival in England in the 19th century, it quickly gained popularity in European aristocratic circles.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Pekingese
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Pekingese suitable for apartment living?
Yes, the Pekingese adapts very well to apartment living thanks to its small size and moderate exercise needs, provided it gets short and regular outings.
### Is the Pekingese suitable for children?
Not really. The Pekingese mainly appreciates calm environments and often does not tolerate rough handling or the agitation of young children well.
### Does the Pekingese shed a lot?
Yes, its long coat requires regular maintenance and it can shed a lot, especially during shedding season.
## Find a Pekingese breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Pekingese breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Pekingese breeders by country
[16 breeders of Pekingese in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pekingese/germany) [11 breeders of Pekingese in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pekingese) [5 breeders of Pekingese in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pekingese/italy) [3 breeders of Pekingese in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pekingese/united-kingdom) [2 breeders of Pekingese in Croatia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pekingese/croatia) [2 breeders of Pekingese in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pekingese/denmark) [2 breeders of Pekingese in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pekingese/spain) [2 breeders of Pekingese in Switzerland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pekingese/switzerland) [1 breeder of Pekingese in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pekingese/austria) [1 breeder of Pekingese in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pekingese/finland)
[All breeders of Pekingese in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pekingese)
## Ready to welcome a Pekingese?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-pekingese)
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