Pekingese

Pekingese, also known as the Palace Lion Dog or the Beijing Dog, is an ancient breed of dog in China with a history of 4,000 years.

Currently, the Pekingese has become one of the most popular companion and ornamental pets in China. Among the ornamental pets owned by citizens, the Pekingese accounts for a considerable proportion, conservatively estimated to be over 30% of the total number of pet dogs. However, except for a few professionals, most Pekingese owners are mixed-breeds. Those who have a historical understanding know that almost all Pekingese dogs in China are mixed-breed dogs.

It is a well-balanced and compact dog, with a heavier forebody and a lighter hindquarters. It is very individualistic, expressive, lively in character, intelligent and understanding, and its appearance is similar to that of a lion.

The Pekingese originated in China in the 1st century and continued through the Qing Dynasty. The Pekingese has always been a palace pet and was first recorded in the 8th century during the Tang Dynasty. It was exclusively owned by the imperial family, and commoners were not allowed to keep them. Stealing them was punishable by death. Historical records show that people were sentenced for smuggling Pekingese during the Tang Dynasty, and the dogs would be buried with the Emperor when he passed away to ensure they could reunite in the afterlife. Due to their long time spent in the palace environment, the Pekingese has maintained its precious purebred lineage. Even until now, the appearance of the Pekingese and its ancestors has not changed much, and they still exude an elegant and mysterious aristocratic aura.

During the Song Dynasty, they were called Luo Hong Dog or Luo Jiang Dog. In the Yuan Dynasty, they were known as the Golden Silk Dog. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, they were called the Peony Dog. Empress Dowager Cixi had great affection for this breed, as depicted in her portraits with a Pekingese in her arms.

In order to fulfill their needs, each imperial family generation continuously improved this breed. They made the front legs bent to prevent them from wandering far away from the Emperor. They also bred the dogs to have feather-like hair on their toes to ensure their footsteps made no sound. To embody the Pekingese's nobility and uniqueness, they required the dog's fur color to be golden, matching the Emperor's clothing.

Although the AKC standard accepts Pekingese in any color and treats them equally in dog shows, it is undeniable that Pekingese with golden fur are considered the most precious. For centuries, eunuchs have been responsible for preserving the pure bloodline of Pekingese, thus establishing strict breeding standards.

Foreigners learned about this breed in 1860 after the Opium War. When the British army attacked the Imperial Palace, the Emperor ordered the killing of these Pekingese (Beijing dogs) to prevent them from falling into the hands of foreign looters. Later, during the invasion of the British and French troops, five Pekingese were found behind the palace curtains. It is said that these five Pekingese had different colors. They were brought back to England by the military and one of them, with a light yellow and brown color, was presented to Queen Victoria. The Queen was very fond of this dog and named her "Looty." The ancestors of the Pekingese still existing in the UK today are descendants of these "spoils of war."

In 1893, Pekingese were finally exhibited in England. Lady de Trafford exhibited a Pekingese at the Chester Dog Show, which became the focus of attention at the time, due to its astonishing beauty and legendary history. Later, this dog played a significant role in the early development of the Pekingese in Europe and America. Since this breed was brought from Beijing to England, it was named "Pekingese."

In the late 19th century, the "Pekingese Court Club" was established in England, with the aim of breeding smaller and smaller varieties. In 1906, the Pekingese was officially registered with the American Kennel Club, and this dog with Oriental lineage quickly gained popularity among Americans. In 1909, the Pekingese Club of America was established and became a member club of the American Kennel Club. In the early 21st century, Mrs. G. Kingston's "Pekingese Kennel" bred many Pekingese and expanded to continental Europe, winning the title of "Champion Dog" in numerous dog shows in Europe.

The Pekingese is gentle, quiet, obedient, loyal, friendly, and intelligent. It shows its lively and friendly side to those who earn its respect and is very affectionate towards its owner. It is an excellent companion dog.

However, its innate physical structure also brings some inherent troubles that require owners to observe and care for it carefully.

1, Heart Disease

Dogs with heart disease are often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, they mainly show symptoms such as easy fatigue, difficulty breathing, and rapid breathing. It is difficult to detect dogs' heart disease, often by the time the owner notices it, the dog is already seriously ill.

2, Infectious Disease

Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in time are susceptible to these two infectious diseases, and once infected, symptoms such as lethargy, decreased appetite, elevated body temperature, and vomiting and diarrhea can be observed.

3, Kidney Disease

When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be ignored. The terrifying thing about dogs' kidney disease is that the onset is imperceptible. By the time the owner notices it, more than 75% of the dog's kidney cells have been damaged. When there is a problem with the dog's kidneys, the symptoms are usually blood in the urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.

4, Parasites

Intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms, as well as heartworms, are common parasitic infections in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms are emaciation, lethargy, diarrhea, passage of worms in the feces, and pale gums. Heartworms, on the other hand, are parasites that live in the dog's heart. After dogs are infected, symptoms such as decreased vitality, coughing, anemia, breathlessness, and ascites may occur.

5, Canine Pneumonia

Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It often occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory tract, bacterial infections, canine distemper, viral flu, impaired lung function, and heartworm infections. Cough, nasal congestion, and elevated body temperature are the main symptoms of pneumonia in dogs.

Before purchasing a Pekingese, it is necessary to create a warm and comfortable living environment for it. After the Pekingese dog arrives in a new environment, the owner should give it enough time and space to familiarize itself with the new surroundings. Parents should not disturb it frequently, and should not let strangers stimulate it. Of course, it is also necessary to spend a certain amount of time with the Pekingese dog every day. Family members can also have appropriate contact with the Pekingese dog to strengthen their mutual understanding and allow the Pekingese dog to become more familiar with the family.

Feeding a Pekingese dog requires attention to sufficient nutrition. In addition to feeding a moderate amount of vegetables, bread, biscuits, and other vegetarian foods every day, 150-250 grams of lean meat, small shrimp, and fish should be fed in the morning and afternoon. It is also recommended to add some powdered milk, calcium powder, and powdered compound vitamins to the vegetarian diet. At the same time, it should be given some cool boiled water to drink.

The ability of a Pekingese dog to resist disease and adverse environments is not very strong. In hot summers, especially in hot and humid weather, it may experience difficulty breathing and even become ill. Living in a high-temperature environment can also cause excessive shedding. It should not be allowed to be active under direct sunlight, and if necessary, it should be cooled down or moved to a well-ventilated and cool place. In unpredictable weather changes, adjustments should be made to prevent catching a cold.

1. Cannot bathe frequently

When bathing a dog, of course, it should not be too frequent. The frequency of bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene condition. If the weather is hot in summer, you can bathe the dog one or two more times, and you can reduce it by one or two times in winter. But in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!

2. Brush frequently

Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn. Seasonal shedding is more severe. To make the fur grow well, brushing frequently is an important step. Pet owners can use special brushes for pets to help dogs clean naturally shed fur and avoid tangling. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is enough.

3. Sunbathing

Sunbathing is beneficial to the growth of the dog's fur. In addition to making the fur more shiny, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, pet owners can let the dog exercise, which can help improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.

4. Deworming

Poor fur quality is actually closely related to parasites. Parasites will absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body and compete for nutrients, so deworming is indispensable. It is recommended to do internal and external deworming at the same time. Moreover, deworming drugs have a great impact on the dog's gastrointestinal tract, so it is recommended to feed probiotics together in normal times to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.

5. Pay attention to diet

In order for the dog to have a beautiful coat, it must lay a good foundation for nutrition and pay attention to daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable for the dog and has sufficient nutrition to meet the dog's needs; on the other hand, you can also feed the dog with a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil.