Pekingese

The origins of the Chinese court’s famous “sleeve dog” are unknown, as dogs of this type have been described for well over a thousand years. They were first brought to the West in 1860, after British troops entered the Forbidden City in the Second Opium War. By the late 19th century, the breed standard, a list of rules set down by the Dowager Empress Cixi (Tzu-Hsi), stated that the breed should have fastidious eating habits, a ruff to give it an aura of dignity, hairy feet to allow it to walk silently, and a coat of any colour so that there would be a dog to suit every garment in the royal wardrobe. They also stated that the legs should be bowed to discourage wandering, which gives the Peke its bouncy gait. Strong-willed, the Pekingese is not easily trained. The breed is a rewarding and calm companion for those with the time to look after them, for the luxurious coat requires daily grooming. Surprisingly long-lived, they are prone to benign fatty tumours, called lipomas, that grow to great size under the skin. The long back and short nose can lead to serious back and breathing problems.