Pekingese

The Pekingese is an aristocrat, whose ancestry can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. Similar dogs had been known in China since the eighth century, but by the early 1800s they had become the favourites of the Imperial court and no commoner was allowed to own one. However, following the British sacking of Peking in 1860, four were found and brought back to England. Subsequently, others were obtained by more normal means. The Pekingese was accepted for registration in the USA in 1909 and in the UK the following year.
Source: The Kennel Club (Patronage): http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=6162

Pékinois    
Pekinés

China

(Patronage - UK)

There are numerous breed standards. The basis of breed/conformation shows is the judging of pedigree dogs against the 'Breed Standard', which is a picture in words that describes the range of features that are deemed appropriate for the breed. Three of the major international standards are:

The American Kennel Club

The Kennel Club, UK

FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale)

1. OFA Statistics

2. Swedish Pekingese Club: SRD Statistics: http://www.pekingeselogen.com/om-pekingesen/srd-statistik/
                                              Registration Statistics: 2003- 2015 http://www.pekingeselogen.com/om-pekingesen/registreringsstatistik/

3. Finland: KoiraNet-jalostustietojärjestelmä: Pekingese: http://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/frmEtusivu.aspx?R=207

Health/Breeding Strategy Documents and Links:

The Kennel Club, UK: Breed Watch, Category 3: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/watch/display.aspx?breed=6162

Sweden: Breed-specific Breeding Strategies: (in Swedish) and/ or English summary

Breed Specific Instructions [BSI] (Nordic Countries)
Pekingese – brachycephalic and chondrodystrophic type
The special conformation of this breed by the shortened skull, overly short bridge of nose and jaws may cause health problems if exaggerated.
Areas of risk are related to exaggerated dwarfism, brachycephaly and chondrodystrophy:

1. Breathing:  Problems  caused  by  narrow  and  insufficient  room  in  general  air  passages: pharyngeal cavities and/or ribcage and/or pinched nostrils.
2. Eyes: Protruding eyes which increase the risk for injuries.
3. Nose wrinkle: Overhanging nose wrinkle obstructing nostrils and can also cause inflammation.
4. General construction: Weak with poor ribcage, short sternal bone and bad muscle condition.
5. Coat: Coat which can be too profuse and/or woolly and cause discomfort. The standard reads “Length and volume of coat should neither impair the activity of the dog nor obscure the shapeliness of body. Excessive coat must be heavily penalized.”

“All signs of respiratory distress are unacceptable and should be heavily penalized”.  Breathing shall be assessed with dog in action. Untypical/unsound movement must not be confused with “Typically slow, dignified rolling gait in front”.
“Any signs of inability to move soundly are unacceptable and should be heavily penalized”.

Health Surveys

• The Kennel Club: Summary results of the Purebred Dog Health Survey for the Pekingese breed: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/16642/pekingese.pdf
• The Pekingese Club (UK): Health Survey Results http://thepekingeseclubofamerica.net/health.html (scroll down)

UK: The Pekingese Club (UK) Peke Health Assessment (Blank form)

• BronzeHealthReportPekingese-blank.pdf

    Document used to create Health Assessment (The Kennel Club)
    http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/506939/visual_health_assessment___data_collection_guidance.pdf

UK: Pekingese Health

The Site of the Pekingese Health Coordinators

Survey design and other links that explain the 2010 Survey, includes a link to the online survey. Helpful information for breed health coordinators as to survey development!

The Kennel Club list of DNA tests available for each breed along with an indication as to whether the test is part of the Assured Breeder Scheme (recommended or required) and whether it is recorded on the Kennel Club registration database: http://www.dogwellnet.com/content/_/health-and-breeding/screening-tests/dna/dna-tests-for-use-in-breeding-decisions/the-kennel-club-breed-specific-dna-tests-upd-r234

BronzeHealthReportPekingese-blank.pdf

We are listing sites for breed clubs with health or other information that might be helpful. Follow links below.

UK: The Pekingese Club http://www.thepekingeseclub.co.uk/index.html
        Health: http://www.thepekingeseclub.co.uk/health.html
UK: Kennel Club - Breed Clubs listing http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/findaclub/breed/list.aspx?id=6162
US: The Pekingese Club of America http://thepekingeseclubofamerica.net/
        Health: http://thepekingeseclubofamerica.net/health.html
Sweden: Pekingeselogen http://www.pekingeselogen.com/
Finland: Suomen Pekingesikerho - Finska Pekingeserklubben ry: http://www.pekingesikerho.com/

France: CLUB DU PEKINOIS ET DU JAPONAIS http://clubpekinoisjaponais.com/

              A Breed Standard Flipbook is available.

   Click on the Entrée Pekinois on the Homepage to access historical and other breed-specific information, in French. 

The Flipbook contains illustrations and other helpful information!