Pekingese age and size

The Pekingese is a small breed of dog native to China.

Its representatives are proud and independent, and practically impossible to train.

Many note that a long stay in the imperial palaces of China left its mark on the genetics and character of the dog.

They are imposing, leisurely and rather capricious.

Such pets are not highly intelligent and are able to learn only the simplest commands.

At the same time, Pekingese are quite densely built, have good health and live quite a long time.

Height at the withers reaches 20 cm, weight – 5 kg, life expectancy 15-20 years.

Life expectancy for boys and girls at home

Representatives of the Pekingese breed confirm the rule that small dogs live longer than others. So their average life expectancy is 15-18 years, while some individuals live up to 22 years.

Here it is worth saying that life expectancy is influenced by factors such as:

• Floor.
• Conditions of detention.
• Number of matings and births (for bitches).
• Nutrition.
• Past illnesses.
• Heredity, etc.

For example, males and females involved in breeding live less . Thus, male sires live on average 15-16 years, and females that often give birth live 14-15 years.

Miniature pets weighing up to 3 kg should be included in a special group; such individuals, as a rule, live up to a maximum of 13 years.

There is no separate line of mini or dwarf varieties within the Pekingese breed . Miniature pets are born from time to time in regular Pekingese litters.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

“Despite their fastidiousness, Pekingese are distinguished by good health and can live for quite a long time. In my practice, there have been cases when dogs lived up to 20 years. But for this it is necessary to create conditions, as well as teach the dog to be as obedient as possible. Indeed, often, due to disobedience, Pekingese find themselves in situations where their lives are significantly shortened.”

Pekingese puppy development

The concepts of “growth” and “development” are not synonymous, but in a healthy dog ​​these are parallel and timely processes. The following time frames for the growth and development of puppies are distinguished:

• The first stage is the intrauterine development of the puppy. It is at this time that many important qualities and characteristics of the future dog are formed. Therefore, you just need to get acquainted with information about his parents, talk with breeders when choosing your future pet.
• The second stage is the suckling period - from the moment of birth to one and a half months. The puppy is next to its mother and feeds on her milk, but the breeder is responsible for its health and development.
• The third stage covers a period from 1.5 to 6 months. During this time, the puppies find new owners. The most powerful and intense growth occurs, milk teeth are replaced by molars.
• The fourth stage - from 6 months to 1 year - can take place in different ways, characterized by both active growth and its slowdown until it stops completely.
• The fifth stage is associated with the development of the body and its functions in a young individual. It lasts approximately 2-2.5 years. Despite the stunted growth, the dog gains muscle mass and reaches sexual maturity.

Age compared to human years

How to determine the age of a Pekingese?

The age of a Pekingese can be easily determined by carefully looking at the dog's appearance.

First of all, you should pay attention to your teeth. The young pet's teeth are white, glossy with unworn tubercles.

In older dogs (2-3 years), the teeth acquire a matte tint, and the tubercles on the toes are gradually erased.

By the age of 5, the cusps on the lower incisors wear off in Pekingese, the fangs become dull, and the teeth acquire a yellowish tint.

At 8-10 years old, the crowns of the dog’s teeth are worn away by almost half, the fangs are dull, and the teeth are yellow.

In older dogs, teeth begin to loosen and fall out..

Also, to determine the age of the pet, you should pay attention to the coat and condition of the muscles. Young pets are distinguished by clean, silky, shiny coat, developed muscles and activity.

An older dog's coat is coarser, gets dirty faster and has a dull appearance . As for the muscles, often in an older dog they are atrophied, there is excess weight, laziness and apathy.

Average Pekingese Standards

Thanks to the painstaking work of breeders who have worked for many years to improve the breed, the Pekingese has an aristocratic miniature and healthy proportions of physical anatomy. An adult Pekingese has a flat back, a slightly rounded chest, somewhat short but perfectly straight legs, a tail set high, and small ears that fit tightly to the head. The appearance of the dog is very harmonious.

The size of an adult Pekingese depends on many anatomical parameters: weight, build, length and height at the withers. The average Pekingese weighs in the range of 3-5.5 kg, and at its small size appears quite heavy. Female Pekingese are usually slightly heavier than males. The height of the Pekingese ranges from 15 to 26 cm. Moreover, the Pekingese has ideal proportions: length and height are in the ratio of 5:3.

Main causes of premature death

The main causes of premature death in Pekingese include::

1. Infectious and hereditary diseases.
2. Poisoning.
3. Diseases of the spine, in particular herniated discs, leading to partial or complete paralysis.
4. Oncological diseases.
5. Infections (staphylococcus, leptospirosis, adenovirosis, infectious hepatitis, rabies, parvovirus enteritis, plague, etc.)
6. Injuries, including those received in fights with other dogs.

How to extend life?

In order for a dog to live longer it is necessary:

• Visit the veterinarian regularly (at least once every six months).
• Carefully monitor changes in your pet’s behavior and well-being; if there is the slightest deviation, you should contact a veterinarian.
• Start raising a Pekingese from puppyhood, because they often find themselves in unpleasant situations because of their character. Pekingese often get into fights with other dogs or get hit by cars.
• Do not allow your dog to pick up scraps on the street; such food often causes poisoning.
• Your pet should be vaccinated annually and follow all veterinarian recommendations.
• Proper and balanced nutrition will help the Pekingese stay healthy for many years, and therefore increase its life expectancy.
• Under no circumstances should the Pekingese live outside, as this is an exclusively decorative breed and yard conditions are not suitable for it.

How to increase duration

The lifespan of Pekingese can be increased by 2 years or more if you follow the basic recommendations of experts. It is important to listen to the advice of people who have been breeding this particular breed of dog for many years.

Similar article: Features and standard of the main types of Pekingese

The most important recommendation that every owner should adhere to is timely visits to the veterinarian. Even if there are no symptoms indicating the presence of any disease, regularly show your pet to the doctor for preventive purposes. After all, it is known that the best treatment is prevention and timely detection of any health problems.

It is optimal to show your dog to the veterinarian once every 6 months.

Visits to the doctor may be more frequent if changes in the animal’s behavior are noticeable. If your pet stops “wagging” its tail when meeting you, has a dry nose, or has lost its appetite, immediately show it to a specialist.

The answer to the question “How long do Pekingese live at home?” is also largely determined by proper upbringing. This breed has a playful, cocky character. Therefore, often naughty puppies and even adults, showing interest in large dogs on the street, suffer from their bites and aggressive behavior.

It is important to understand that Pekingese themselves are often the initiators of conflicts with other dogs. Therefore, in the absence of proper education (obedience training), there is a high risk of injury and even irreparable harm caused by larger animals. Please note that dogs whose mouths are at approximately the same level as the Pekingese's eyes are especially dangerous for this breed of dog.

Speaking about how long Pekingese live at home and how to extend their life, it is necessary to note the fact that if an animal is taken from the street, it is unlikely to exceed 10 years of age. Representatives of this breed require behavior correction from early childhood. And if for some reason the puppy grew up on the street, it will be extremely difficult to re-educate him. Even when he is full, during a walk, according to his old habit, he will still continue to pick up various scraps and garbage. This leads to possible infections, poisoning and other ailments.

As for nutrition, be sure to monitor your pet’s stool while expanding the diet. If you feed regular food, half of the diet should be meat, another ¼ should be porridge. The rest comes from vegetables and fruits.

If you follow all these tips, the Pekingese will live a long time, pleasing its owner for many years.

Similar article: Features of cutting a Pekingese dog at home

Proper nutrition

When choosing a diet for the Pekingese, you should take into account the characteristics of this breed. The fact is that they have some underdeveloped fangs. Therefore, meat for them should be minced in a meat grinder, and it is better to refuse dry food or pre-soak the granules.

It is advisable to lightly boil meat and offal for Pekingese to avoid helminths from entering the dog’s body..

It is also worth saying that cheese is very useful for your pet, but it is given occasionally, only as a reward.

A boiled egg and fresh vegetables are also very beneficial for Pekingese. But, there is one condition - he can only be given vegetables that do not cause bloating (carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, cucumber or bell pepper).

Sometimes your pet can be pampered with boiled, lean, boneless sea fish.

But fermented milk products (kefir, yogurt, cottage cheese) should be given separately from other foods.

NOTE!

If you feed your pet canned meat, it is advisable to mix it with boiled rice or vegetables.

Prohibited Products:

• Sausages and smoked meats.
• Chocolate.
• Flour products and sweets.
• Bones.
• Potatoes, cabbage, exotic fruits, onions, legumes.
• Pickles and marinades.
• Fat meat.

Quality maintenance and care

Before you buy a Pekingese, you should know that this dog requires care, which includes:

1. Keeping the coat trimmed, especially around the paw pads and between the toes, the Pekingese also needs regular grooming.
2. Daily walks. The pet should be walked daily, 2 times a day for at least half an hour.
3. Nail cutting with a special nail clipper should be done at least once every 2-3 weeks.
4. Eye care requires special attention, the reason is the specific structure of the eyes. Due to the shortened tear duct, the dog's eyes are susceptible to injury and inflammation. For this Pekingese, the folds lying on both sides of the bridge of the nose are washed daily with a special solution.
5. The dog's ears also need daily inspection and regular cleaning with a dry cotton pad.
6. The Pekingese's coat should be brushed daily using a dog brush. It is also advisable to use a special aerosol for combing, which protects the hairs from splitting.
7. You should bathe your dog when it gets dirty, using dog shampoo for long-haired breeds.

The Pekingese's coat is quite coarse, so it is advisable to use cosmetics designed specifically for hard and coarse coats..

Owner reviews

A few reviews:

“My Mister Pickwick is an amazing dog, he seems to have been made for me. We spend a lot of time together, walk twice a day for half an hour. He is so smart and delicate that he will never mess up the apartment. He will endure it and ask to go outside.”

“I’ve never had a dog and I didn’t want to get one, but my wife demanded it. Now there are more problems. Our Jack gets conjunctivitis three times a year, and if he eats something wrong, he immediately gets an upset stomach. In winter we went for a walk and his paws were frozen. Just awful!".

Caring for an older dog

Caring for an older dog is somewhat different from caring for a young dog.

The thing is that with age, the character and needs of a pet change, and it needs special care and attention.

First of all, an older dog experiences changes in the musculoskeletal system; the dog moves less and sleeps more..

Therefore, the walking regime should become more gentle. Walks should be made shorter and without physical activity.

In addition, an elderly dog’s eyesight often deteriorates, it can bump into objects or have difficulty oriented in space, so such a dog should only be walked on a leash.

Also, for an older dog, changes should be made to the diet; if necessary, portions should be reduced so that the dog does not gain excess weight.

Some recommend switching pets to special food for aging dogs.

An older dog should be bathed less often, as it is more likely to catch a cold.

You should also make sure that the pet’s place is comfortable and he can sleep on it stretched out to the full length of his body. If your dog cannot control urination or bowel movements, do not scold him.

Just place a rubber mat under the bedding and wash it often.

As can be seen from all that has been said, Pekingese are quite unique dogs, they love care and need constant care. In addition, they are slightly arrogant and stubborn, but with the right approach, they love their owner immensely and are devoted to him.

The Pekingese is a dog for older couples and owners who do not like excessive activity . Also, this breed is quite suitable for families with children over 5 years old.

Care and maintenance

Pekingese are considered to be decorative dogs and can only be kept indoors. Wool requires constant care. Every day you have to comb your pet's long hair.

To protect it from unnecessary pollution, especially during the rainy season, you can organize a wardrobe for it. Fortunately, today almost everywhere you can find not only ready-made suits, but even order tailoring according to your figure. Do not try to introduce your baby to water procedures; he does not need to be bathed no more than five times a year. Trim your nails about once a month. Regularly clean your ears and eyes of dirt with a moistened cotton swab. Don't forget about vaccinations and preventive examinations at the veterinarian.

This is not to say that your pet is too active. He needs moderate physical activity. If you yourself prefer leisurely walks, then this pet is for you. He will be happy to keep you company.

The little lion should only be walked on a leash. A small but fearless animal is capable of showing character even in a situation where its opponent is a shepherd dog. Get used to walking gradually, choosing quiet, calm streets away from the roadway. Proper nutrition is of great importance for the health and longevity of Pekingese. There are special foods developed taking into account breed characteristics. Such offers can be found from well-known premium food manufacturers. Don't be tempted by cheap food, they can cause an allergic reaction. If you intend to cook yourself from fresh ingredients, please consult with your veterinarian first about the foods that need to be included in your daily diet.