Pekingese

(Breed Standard)

Partha Sekhar Chatterjee

International All Breeds Dog Show Judge

General Appearance 

The Pekingese are small, well balanced, thick set dogs of dignity and quality. 

Characteristics 

They are leonine in appearance with an alert and intelligent expression. 

Temperament 

They are fearless, loyal, aloof but not timid or aggressive. 

Head and Skull

The head is large, proportionately wider than deep. The skull is broad, wide and flat between the ears and not domed; But wide between the eyes. The nose is short and broad with nostrils which are large, open and black. The muzzle is wide, well wrinkled with a firm under jaw. The profile is flat with a nose well set between the eyes. Pronounced stop. Black pigmentation is essential on the nose, lips and eye rims. 

Eyes

Eyes are large, clear, round, dark and lustrous. 

Ears 

Ears are heart-shaped, set level with the skull and carried close to the head, with long profuse feathering. Leather not to come below line of muzzle.

Mouth

The mouth has level lips, and does not show teeth or tongue. Firm under jaw essential. 

Neck 

Neck is very short and thick. 

Forequarters 

Forequarters are short, thick with heavily boned forelegs, the bones of forelegs slightly bowed but firm at the shoulder. 

Body 

The body is short with a broad chest and good spring on ribs, well slung between the forelegs with a distinct waist and a level back.

Hindquarters 

They hind legs are lighter than the forelegs but firm and well shaped. 

Feet

The feet are large and flat, not round. Standing well up on feet and not on pasterns. The front feet are slightly turned out.  

Tail 

The tail is set high, carried tightly and slightly curved over the back to either side. It has long feathering. 

Gait/ Movement 

The Gait/ Movement is a slow dignified rolling gait in front. Typical movement not to be confused with a roll caused by slackness of shoulders.

Coat

The coat is long and, straight with a profuse mane extending beyond the shoulders forming a cape round the neck. The top coat is coarse with a thick undercoat. Profuse feathering on ears, back of legs, tail and toes. 

Colour 

All colours and markings are permissible and are of equal merit, except albino or liver.

Size

The ideal weight not should not be exceeding 5 kg. (11lbs.) for dogs and 5.5 kg. (12lbs.) for bitches. Dog should look small but be surprisingly heavy when picked up; heavy bone and a sturdy well-built body are essentials of the breed. 

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note: The males should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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