Overview of the Pekingese (Beijing Palace Lion Dog)

1 Overview

The Beijing Palace Lion Dog, also called the Pekingese, is the Corgi to the British Queen of our country – kept by royalty and nobility since the Tang Dynasty. On the street you often see elderly folk walking this breed.

Historical origin

Choosing a dog is not just about looks but also history. The Pekingese has a long history in China, from the Qin emperor through the Qing, with the earliest record in the 8th-century Tang as a prized ornamental dog loved by every dynasty. Long confined to palaces, it kept a pure bloodline and gained an elegant, mysterious noble air.

Looks

Bred first as a small palace companion, its looks need no saying: long coat in white, yellow, brown and more; short legs, compact body; broad flat face, large round eyes. Today it is among China’s most popular companion pets, with a sizable share of urban ornamental pets.

Temperament

Stubborn and proud, with courage, boldness and dignity outweighing beauty, elegance or refinement – like a lion, hence the name Palace Lion Dog. It loves to show off and is smart, lively and affectionate, enjoying human play.

Companionship

Beyond good looks, nice temperament and obedience, its companionship is strong: usually quiet and gentle, emotionally delicate, small-bodied with big watery eyes, so beloved by the elderly. But its innate build brings some inherent troubles needing careful observation and care.

For owners, dog-keeping is about the experience; so far the Palace Lion Dog is much loved. Its drawback is needing regular coat care to keep a pretty shape – I bathe it three times a month.