by Kimberlee King

Created on: March 02, 2009   Last Updated: March 10, 2009

The Pekingese or Peke as they are more commonly called are one of the oldest breed of dog. The pekingese is also referred to as the "Lion Dog" because of its resemblance to ancient Chinese guardian lions. They are revered in Chinese culture which can be noted in the many Asian artworks depicting the Pekingese Asian culture is full of folklore and colorful stories, there is an especially good one that surrounds the beginnings of the Pekingese.

The legend has it that once a huge lion that fell in love with a tiny monkey. The lion prayed to Buddha to make him small enough to court his monkey love. The Lord Buddha granted his wish and the lion and the monkey created an offspring that had the courage of it's father the lion and the adorable monkey face and impudent sense of humorof it's mother-the Pekingese dog. The Pekingese, because of their pug-nosed flat face are prone to a condition called brachycephaly. Brachycephaly is often referred to as "flat head syndrome" and while this facial feature certainly gives certain breeds like the pekingese, the boston terrier and the bulldog their endearing, clownish looks it can also be the cause of severe breathing problems, skin disorders and compromised stamina and endurance.

Unfortunately the Pekingese suffers from a multitude of other health issues also, owing to the fact that they were originally bred for aesthetic qualities rather than physical traits. Some of the other issues that a prospective peke owner might face are back and joint problems, dystocia, eye problems, heart problems and issues with regulating their body temperature. Now if you haven't been scared off by all the medical issues that you could face as a pekingese owner, prices for pekingese puppies can vary greatly, usually ranging between $200-$500 but for the smaller varieties of the pekingese, called sleeves or miniatures you can expect to pay around $1,000 because of the difficulty in breeding the smaller pekes.

If you find a pure white pekingese at a reasonable price be sure to snatch it up since they are considered the rarest of all the Pekingese. White Pekingese were considered especially lucky in Asian folklore, be aware though that well-informed breeders will know this and expect extra compensation for the rarer versions. Since the Pekingese is a breed prone to many different genetic and medical conditions it is especially important to do your research while looking for a respected, responsible breeder, make sure that the parent dogs have been thouroughly screened for genetic health problems.

A full-coated Pekingese requires daily grooming and brushing. They are a lush thickly coated breed that will mat easily if not treated with the proper care, Pekingese are very prone to skin irritations and hot-spots especially during their shedding season and should be closely monitored. Bathing with a medicated shampoo will help alleviate and or prevent this condition.

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