When people mention the Pekingese, some may think of the pug, but they are not the same. The pug is a different breed, while the Pekingese is the Beijing dog, an Eastern breed that has existed for about four thousand years. If you look carefully at the traditional guardian figure known as the qilin on old door imagery, you may even notice that it resembles the Pekingese.
This is a dog with character, intelligence, and a strong desire to express itself. Because its image resembles a lion, it is also called the palace lion dog. It is small and cute, and if its long coat is groomed properly, its appearance can be strikingly beautiful. Its intelligence, however, is not among the highest in the dog world, which means it is more of a charming beauty than a breed known for cleverness.
Still, the Pekingese represents courage, boldness, self-respect, elegance, and refinement. These qualities were shaped by its long life in the imperial court. Because it was small and precious, it was once a favorite of ancient Chinese nobles, who reportedly carried it in their wide sleeves. Today that sounds difficult to imagine, but at the time it reflected just how tiny and treasured the breed was.
In ancient Chinese legends, the Pekingese was believed to be a sacred dog that could drive away evil spirits. It was highly respected by the people of the time, which shows how elevated its status once was. Yet despite that noble position, the Pekingese has always been very friendly to people, especially deeply affectionate and loyal toward its owner.
The Pekingese may not rank very highly in intelligence, but because of its lovely appearance, people still find it very appealing. More and more people keep Pekingese today, and some even take them to pet grooming salons for beautiful styling, making them look even more like little lion dogs. Although they are not the easiest dogs to train, they do seem to work hard in training. Once they finally remember a command, they usually do not forget it easily, which gives owners a lot of satisfaction.
The Pekingese's loyalty is also remarkable. If it senses something unusual, it may place itself in front of its owner like a devoted bodyguard, without hesitation. When you see such a small dog acting so bravely, it becomes hard not to be moved. It is far more than just a cute little dog. In the eyes of its owner, it is often a tiny hero.