Toy Small size 3-6 kg
Pekingese
A dignified, flat-faced toy dog; charming lap company but burdened by breathing, eye, and back problems.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Small
Size
3-6 kg, 15-23 cm at the shoulder
Low
Activity
Low; short gentle walks are enough
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Handles moderate alone time
Challenging
Trainability
Independent and stubborn
High
Coat care
Long coat needs frequent brushing
Cautious
Fit with kids
Best with calm, older children
Moderate
Other pets
Aloof but generally tolerant
Heavy
Health burden
BOAS (Breathing Problems); Cherry Eye; Luxating Patella
The Pekingese typically weighs 3-6 kg, stands 15-23 cm, and lives 12-14 years.
Consider this breed if…
you want a calm, low-exercise companion for a quiet apartment,
you enjoy a dog with opinions and old-world dignity,
you can brush a long double coat several times a week,
you accept higher vet bills as part of loving a flat-faced breed.
Do not consider this breed if…
you live somewhere hot without air conditioning,
you want a jogging partner or an eager obedience student,
you have toddlers who grab; a Pekingese will not tolerate it,
snoring, snuffling, and vet visits would wear you down.
A typical day with a Pekingese
- 7:00 · Morning15-20 min gentle walk in the cool part of the day
- 9:00 · MidmorningNaps on its throne of choice; it supervises, it doesn't fetch
- 12:30 · NoonPotty break and a slow sniff around the block
- 16:00 · Afternoon5 min of training with treats; it complies when it agrees
- 18:30 · EveningSecond short walk, then coat brushing and eye check
- 21:00 · NightSettles beside you, snoring softly - that's the breed
Family and environment
Kids Poor
Fragile back and low tolerance for grabbing; older kids only.
Dogs Conditional
Fine with calm dogs; rough play risks its eyes and back.
Cats Good
Similar energy level; they usually ignore each other politely.
Apartment Ideal
Quiet, low-exercise, small - a natural apartment dog.
House with a yard Suitable
Enjoys pottering; stairs should be limited for its back.
City Suitable
Short walks fit city life; avoid summer pavement heat.
Countryside Manages
Happy anywhere its person is; no working ambitions.
Health data provided by RealVetCost Overall health burden Heavy
Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.
View the full health profileTop health concerns
BOAS (Breathing Problems) Flat-faced airway obstruction; avoid heat and overexertion
Cherry Eye Prolapsed tear gland; corrected surgically
Luxating Patella Kneecap slips out of its groove; may need surgery
Dental Disease Routine brushing and cleanings help
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Friendlier flat-faced companion
Shih Tzu
A calm lap companion bred for exactly that job - low exercise and easygoing in a flat, but the coat and the flat face are lifelong commitments, not details.
View profile →
Similar coat and independence, better airway
Lhasa Apso
A confident, dignified little watchdog that suits apartments and quieter homes - the trade-off is an aloof, independent streak and a long coat that needs frequent grooming.
View profile →
More playful flat-faced alternative
Pug
A sturdy little comedian bred purely for companionship - easy to live with, expensive to keep breathing well in heat and old age.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does a Pekingese cost?
Expect roughly $1,000-$3,000 from a reputable US breeder; show lines run higher. The purchase price is the small part: this is a heavy-vet-bill breed, and airway (BOAS) surgery, eye repairs, kneecap surgery, and dental work can each run from hundreds to several thousand dollars over a 12-14 year life. Insure early, before the first diagnosis makes conditions pre-existing.
Do Pekingese have breathing problems?
Many do - the flat face that defines the breed narrows the airway, and snoring, snuffling, and poor heat tolerance are common. In warm or humid weather this becomes genuinely dangerous: keep walks short and cool, never leave the dog in a warm car, and take loud, labored breathing to a vet, since airway surgery helps some dogs significantly.
Are Pekingese good with kids?
Generally not with young ones. The breed dislikes grabbing and rough handling, its prominent eyes and long back are easy to injure, and it will growl or snap rather than endure toddler treatment. With calm older children who respect its space, a Pekingese can be a perfectly pleasant, if unimpressed, housemate.
Are Pekingese hard to train?
They are hard to motivate, which looks the same in practice. Bred for centuries as imperial companions with no job description, the Pekingese sees commands as suggestions. Short, reward-heavy sessions and realistic expectations work; drills and pressure get you a dog that simply turns its back. Housetraining in particular often takes longer than average.