This article is about the dog breed. For the people and other aspects of Beijing culture, see
Beijing and
Beijingese.
| Pekingese |
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A long-haired Pekingese brushed out and ready for show |
| Common nicknames | Peke |
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| Origin | China |
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| Dog (domestic dog) |
The Pekingese (also spelled Pekinese) is a breed of toy dog, originating in China. The breed was favored by royalty of the Chinese Imperial court as a companion dog, and its name refers to the city of Beijing (Peking) where the Forbidden City is located. The breed has several characteristics and health issues related to its unique appearance. Because of its desirable characteristics, the Pekingese has been part of the development of designer crossbreeds, such as the Peekapoo (crossed with a poodle) and Peke-a-tese (crossed with a Maltese).