The Pekingese dog is a small, flat-faced companion bred for the Chinese imperial court — regal, opinionated and fiercely devoted to the people it decides are worthy. Owning one well in Australia 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, and our hot summers add a fifth item to the list. Get those things right and the Pekingese is a sturdy, long-lived friend whether you live in a Melbourne apartment or a Brisbane backyard.
Quick answer: The Pekingese is a dignified toy breed weighing about 3–6.5 kg 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, which matters through an Australian summer (December–February). For the daily eye routine, Pure Majesty Pets Dog Eye Drops (sterile, pH 7.0–7.2, 120 mL, A$30) are the simplest upgrade you can make, with free worldwide shipping to Australia and duties and GST prepaid. See your vet 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 recognised the breed in 1906, and today Pekes are a familiar sight in Australian show rings and on suburban couches alike. Here is the practical snapshot.
| Trait | Pekingese |
|---|---|
| Size | Toy breed, roughly 3–6.5 kg |
| 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 |
| Australian watch-outs | Summer heat, paralysis ticks on the east coast, grass and plant contact allergies |
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 humour. 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 and townhouses in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, provided owners protect them from heat, stairs and rough handling by young children. Early, gentle socialisation 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 summarises the conditions vets 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, laboured or blue-tinged breathing is not normal and needs veterinary care. In Australia the risk peaks from December to February. RSPCA Australia advises walking dogs early in the morning or late in the evening, testing the footpath with the back of your hand for five seconds before a walk, and never leaving a dog in a parked car — car temperatures can more than double the outside reading. For a flat-faced Peke those rules are non-negotiable. Keep your dog lean, use a harness rather than a collar so nothing presses on the throat, and know the signs of heatstroke (heavy panting, drooling, wobbliness); RSPCA Queensland recommends cooling with tepid, not icy, water on the way to the vet. 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 set-up 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. Dry, windy days and dusty summer walks in inland Australia only add to the grit landing on that exposed surface.
The rusty streaks below the eyes are Pekingese tear stains. Their colour 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 oxidises and stains light fur, and the constant damp becomes a home for yeast and bacteria, especially in humid Queensland and coastal NSW summers. Stains are usually cosmetic, but a 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 non-medicated eye drops for dogs — sterile, pH 7.0–7.2 and bleach-free, using 0.15% sodium phytate to chelate the oxidised minerals behind staining instead of peroxide that can sting a prominent eye. 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. If you spot the classic warning signs, read up on dog eye infection symptoms and call your vet — 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.
Why Pure Majesty Pets Dog Eye Drops suit a Pekingese
Many tear-stain products sold in Australia are wipes or acidic, bleach-style removers that treat the fur and ignore the eye. A Peke needs the opposite: something gentle enough to go into a prominent, easily irritated eye every day. That is exactly how our drops are built:
- pH 7.0–7.2, matched to natural tears, so they don't sting
- Sodium hyaluronate 0.05% to hold moisture on an exposed cornea
- Aloe vera 8%, chamomile 2% and pro-vitamin B5 to soothe everyday redness
- Sodium phytate 0.15% for tear-stain control without bleach or peroxide
- Ophthalmic-grade, 10-micron sterile-filtered, fragrance- and alcohol-free, made in Canada
One 120 mL bottle is A$30, with free worldwide shipping — it ships to Australia with duties and GST prepaid (DDP), so there is nothing to pay on delivery. You can buy local tear-stain wipes from Petbarn or Pet Circle, but few combine a tear-matched pH, hyaluronic acid and bleach-free stain control in one sterile drop. Order Pure Majesty Pets Dog Eye Drops for your Pekingese. They are hygiene and comfort drops, not medication — a sore, cloudy or squinting eye still needs your vet the same day.
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 Australian owners keep the coat in a shorter "puppy trim" from late spring to autumn for easier upkeep and a cooler dog.
That brushing session is also your best defence against the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) if you live anywhere along the eastern seaboard from North Queensland to Victoria. RSPCA Australia recommends daily skin checks, and a University of Queensland study found that 73% of ticks on pets were on the head and neck — exactly where a Peke's heavy mane hides them. Run your fingers through the ruff, behind the ears and under the collar every day, especially from spring to late autumn.
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. Contact allergies to buffalo grass, kikuyu and Wandering Trad can add a red, itchy rash on the belly and paws of a low-slung dog, so rinse and dry after walks through these plants.
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. Our powder combines 12 named ingredients, including 15% hydroxyapatite, 8% Ascophyllum nodosum kelp, 1% SHMP and a GOX/LPO enzyme system, sprinkled on food once a day (A$72 a jar, free shipping to Australia). For a Peke that refuses a toothbrush, that is often the routine that actually sticks.
A simple weekly Pekingese care checklist
- Daily: wipe eye corners, dry the nose fold, quick face check, tick check through the mane (east coast)
- 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 100 g 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. Hind-leg weakness on the east coast can also be an early sign of tick paralysis, so check for a tick before assuming it is the back.
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 vet check-ups, weight control and dental care are the foundation of good Pekingese care at every age.
Where to buy Pekingese care products in Australia
Petbarn, Pet Circle, Petstock and PetO all stock grooming tools, harnesses and general eye wipes, and your local vet clinic can supply prescription eye medication when it is needed. For the daily eye and mouth routine, ordering Pure Majesty Pets direct gets you the exact formula described here: Dog Eye Drops (A$30) and Dog Dental Powder (A$72), with free worldwide shipping and duties and GST prepaid, so the price you see is the price you pay.
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 socialisation 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 vet.
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 vet 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, laboured or blue-tinged breathing is not normal and needs urgent veterinary care, especially during an Australian summer.
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 sterile, pH-matched dog 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.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. Always consult your vet before starting any new supplement or care product, especially if your dog has a health condition or takes medication. Eye injuries in prominent-eyed breeds and any sudden breathing difficulty are emergencies.