The Pekingese dog is a small, flat-faced companion bred for the Chinese court — regal, opinionated, and fiercely devoted to the people it decides are worthy. Owning one well is less about training tricks and more about respecting its anatomy: the large eyes, the nose fold, the long spine, and the short muzzle all set the daily care agenda. Get those four things right and the Pekingese is a sturdy, long-lived friend.
Quick answer: The Pekingese is a dignified toy breed weighing about 7–14 lb and typically living 12–14 years. Its brachycephalic (flat-faced) build drives four care priorities — prominent eyes prone to tear stains and corneal injury, a moisture-trapping nose fold, a long back at risk of disc disease, and limited tolerance for heat and hard exercise. See your veterinarian promptly for any eye or breathing emergency.
Pekingese at a glance
Behind the lion's mane sits one of the oldest companion breeds in the world, developed over centuries for Chinese royalty and first brought West after the 1860 sack of the Summer Palace. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1906. Here is the practical snapshot.
| Trait | Pekingese |
|---|---|
| Size | Toy breed, roughly 7–14 lb |
| Lifespan | About 12–14 years |
| Coat | Long double coat with a heavy mane; sheds and mats |
| Energy | Low to moderate; short walks, dislikes heat |
| Temperament | Loyal, dignified, independent, famously stubborn |
| Key health risks | Brachycephalic airway disease, corneal ulcers and tear staining, intervertebral disc disease, patellar luxation, fold dermatitis, dental crowding |
Are Pekingese good pets? Temperament and training
Yes — for the right household. The AKC breed standard describes a dog "of regal dignity, intelligence and self-importance," good-natured and affectionate toward those who have earned its respect. That respect is the whole story of Pekingese temperament: this is a confident lapdog, not a pushover. It bonds hard to its family, tolerates strangers on its own terms, and rarely does anything just because it was told to.
Training works best with short, reward-based sessions and a sense of humor. Pekingese are intelligent but independent, so patience and consistency beat repetition drills. Their small size and calm indoor energy make them well suited to apartments, provided owners protect them from heat, stairs, and rough handling by young children. Early, gentle socialization pays off, because a spoiled Peke can become possessive.
What health problems do Pekingese have?
Most Pekingese health problems trace back to the same flat-faced, long-bodied conformation that defines the breed. The table below summarizes the conditions veterinarians see most, and the sections that follow explain how to reduce risk day to day.
| Condition | What it is | Owner-side priority |
|---|---|---|
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) | Restricted airflow from a shortened skull | Weight control, harness, avoid heat |
| Brachycephalic ocular syndrome | Exposed corneas, ulcers, pigment, proptosis risk | Daily eye checks, gentle rinsing |
| Porphyrin tear staining | Rusty stains from chronic tear overflow (epiphora) | Wipe corners, keep fur dry |
| Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) | Disc degeneration in the long back | Keep lean, limit jumping |
| Patellar luxation | Kneecap slips out of its groove | Watch for skipping gait; vet review |
| Fold dermatitis | Yeast/bacterial irritation in the nose fold | Wipe fold dry daily |
| Periodontal disease | Plaque in a crowded toy jaw | Regular dental hygiene |
Do Pekingese have breathing problems?
Often, yes — and it is worth taking seriously. As a brachycephalic breed, the Pekingese has a normal volume of soft tissue packed into a shortened skull, which narrows the airway. In a 2025 University of Cambridge study of 14 flat-faced breeds published in PLOS One, the Pekingese showed the highest burden of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome of any breed assessed, with only about 11% of dogs graded clinically unaffected. Overweight dogs and those with the most narrowed nostrils were most affected.
Practically, that means snoring and snuffling are common, but loud, labored, or blue-tinged breathing is not normal and needs veterinary care. Keep your Peke lean, walk in the cool of the morning or evening, never leave one in a warm car, and use a harness rather than a collar so nothing presses on the throat. Our brachycephalic dog breeds care guide covers heat safety and airway warning signs in more depth.
Why does my Pekingese have tear stains, and how do I clean the eyes?
The Peke's large, shallow-set eyes are its signature feature and its most vulnerable one. The prominent shape exposes more corneal surface to dust and drying air, and the eyelids may not fully close — a setup for exposure keratopathy, pigment deposition, and corneal ulcers. A 2023 review in Veterinary Ophthalmology (Sebbag) grouped these problems under brachycephalic ocular syndrome, and brachycephalic breeds overall have been reported as up to 20 times more likely to suffer corneal ulceration than longer-nosed dogs. In the Pekingese specifically, hairs on the nasal fold can rub the cornea and the tear film tends to be unstable, adding to the risk.
The rusty streaks below the eyes are Pekingese tear stains. Their color comes from porphyrin, an iron-containing pigment released as the body breaks down red blood cells and excreted in tears. When tears overflow onto the face — a condition vets call epiphora — the porphyrin oxidizes and stains light fur, and the constant damp becomes a home for yeast and bacteria. Stains are usually cosmetic, but sudden change, yellow or green discharge, squinting, or pawing point to a problem.
A one-minute daily routine keeps things in check: wipe each inner corner with a soft damp pad, dry the fur, and flush dust a few times a week with a gentle dog eye cleaner. Our step-by-step guide on how to clean dog eyes safely walks through technique, and for stubborn staining a dedicated dog tear stain remover routine can help maintain a clean, dry eye area. You can see the full range of gentle formulas in our dog eye care collection. If you spot the classic warning signs, read up on dog eye infection symptoms and call your veterinarian — a prominent-eyed dog with a painful eye is an urgent case, and proptosis (the eye bulging out of its socket after even minor trauma) is a true emergency.
How do I groom a Pekingese?
Grooming a Pekingese is a steady weekly commitment rather than an occasional chore, and it doubles as a health check. The long double coat mats easily, so brush thoroughly at least a few times a week, working down to the skin behind the ears, under the legs, and around the rear. Many owners keep the coat in a shorter "puppy trim" for easier upkeep in warm climates.
The nose fold deserves daily attention. It traps tears, saliva, and drinking water, and a damp fold quickly turns red and yeasty — fold dermatitis. Wipe it dry every day, and if your Peke is also licking its paws or scratching, the fold may be one sign of a broader skin-yeast picture worth discussing with your vet. Don't overlook the mouth either: like most toy and brachycephalic breeds, the Pekingese carries a full set of teeth in a small, crowded jaw, which promotes plaque and periodontal disease. Regular at-home dental care — brushing when tolerated, or a dog dental powder added to food between professional cleanings — helps keep that crowded mouth healthier.
A simple weekly Pekingese care checklist
- Daily: wipe eye corners, dry the nose fold, quick face check
- 2–3x per week: brush the coat to the skin; rinse eyes as needed
- Most days: dental care; short, cool-hour walks on a harness
- Monthly: nails, ear check, weigh-in to catch creeping weight gain
Joints and the long back: the long-lived dog's tax
A Pekingese carries a long spine on short, bowed legs, and it is a chondrodystrophic breed — meaning its discs age early. In a veterinary teaching-hospital study, Pekingese were reported to be roughly 10 times more likely to develop intervertebral disc extrusion than dogs generally, second only to the Dachshund. Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of its groove, is also common across small breeds in primary-care data. Because Pekingese routinely live past 12, arthritis eventually catches up with many of them.
Two habits protect comfort for years: keep your dog lean, since every extra ounce loads the back and knees, and discourage jumping on and off furniture with ramps or steps. Watch for a skipping hind-leg gait, reluctance to jump, or any sign of back pain, and have your vet check early — these are manageable when caught before they progress.
How long do Pekingese live?
Pekingese typically live around 12–14 years, making them a genuinely long-lived small breed. That longevity is the reason preventive care matters so much: the eyes, fold, teeth, and back all accumulate wear over more than a decade, and the owners who stay ahead of small daily tasks tend to have the most comfortable senior dogs. Routine veterinary check-ups, weight control, and dental care are the foundation of good Pekingese care at every age.
This article is informational only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Eye injuries in prominent-eyed breeds and any sudden breathing difficulty are emergencies — when in doubt, contact your veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pekingese good family pets?
Pekingese make devoted, dignified companions and suit calm households and apartments well. They bond closely to their people but are independent and stubborn, and their small size and flat face mean they need protection from rough handling, stairs, and heat. Gentle early socialization and short reward-based training sessions bring out their best temperament.
What health problems do Pekingese have?
Common Pekingese health problems reflect the breed's flat-faced, long-bodied build: brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, brachycephalic ocular syndrome with corneal ulcers and tear staining, intervertebral disc disease, patellar luxation, nose-fold dermatitis, and dental crowding. Keeping the dog lean, cool, and on a daily eye, fold, and dental routine reduces day-to-day risk. Discuss concerns with your veterinarian.
Why does my Pekingese have tear stains?
Pekingese tear stains come from porphyrin, an iron-containing pigment in tears that stains light fur rusty brown when tears overflow onto the face. The breed's large, shallow-set eyes and unstable tear film make this overflow, called epiphora, common. Wipe the corners daily and rinse a few times weekly. Yellow or green discharge or squinting warrants a veterinary visit.
Do Pekingese have breathing problems?
Many do. As a brachycephalic breed, the Pekingese has a narrowed airway, and a 2025 University of Cambridge study found it had the highest burden of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome among the flat-faced breeds assessed. Snoring is common, but loud, labored, or blue-tinged breathing is not normal and needs urgent veterinary care.
How do I clean a Pekingese's eyes?
Wipe each inner corner daily with a soft, damp pad, always moving away from the eye, then dry the surrounding fur. A few times a week, flush dust with a gentle veterinary-style eye rinse, and keep the nose-fold hairs from touching the cornea. Never use human eye products without veterinary guidance, and seek care for any painful or discharging eye.
How long do Pekingese live?
Pekingese usually live about 12–14 years, which is long for a dog and means preventive care pays off over time. Because they live so long, age-related issues such as arthritis and disc disease catch up with many of them. Keeping your dog lean, cool, and on consistent eye, fold, and dental care supports comfort through the senior years.