The Pekes of Pekehaven.com
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We are not breeders...all our Pekes are spoiled housepets.
We have rescued four Pekes and still have three. One we lost
to an inoperable tumor...our beloved Toot. We have had two
litters born here and we kept most of them.
There are links below for reputable kennels and they will have
links to more. This page is to let you know of the wonder of the
wonderful little dogs called Pekingese! |
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At the time of the coming of Buddha and the conversion of all
Chinese to Buddhism, the symbol of the new religion was the
Lion, the most dreaded of wild beasts, tamed then and conquered
by the holiness of Buddha and becoming his faithful servant.
However, there were no Lions in China but someone discovered
that the King of Beasts resembled the Emperor's Dog of Fu.
These dogs had various names...palace dog, temple dogs and dogs
of Fu and now they became the lion dog. This dog of Fu is the
ancient ancestor of the Pekingese.
These special dogs were reared as semi-sacred and in those
early days were kept in the Temple in charge of the high
priests. Enuchs and officers of state paid them homage while
Imperial Guards kept watch and personal servants attended to
their needs.
The Imperial puppies were raised by foster mothers in the
Courts and, reared like children, became almost human, and
this trait has passed down through the ages. The homage did
not spoil the temperament of the little lion dog. They remained
highly intelligent and loyal; they were intrepid fighters and
like their counterpart, the lion, they would fight to the death
if provoked.
The name Pekingese was not used for these dogs until they
became known in England, and after the Pekin Palace Dog Association was formed in 1907. Following the Boxer Uprising and after the sacking of the summer Palace, a few specimens were brought to England..one of these, the smallest, was presented to Queen Victoria, who named it "Lootie" and kept it for ten more years at Windsor Castle.
The Pekingese is utterly fearless although not aggressive.
Proud he seems to be of his ancient family lineage and he
can rise to any occasion; he has courage and to spare. Many
people who own a Pekingese are never satisfied with any other
kind of dog. Pekingese are stubborn and even this at times
of sickness enables the Peke to fight for survival. They
never give up.
Pekingese have a remarkable fund of energy and endurance and
do not wear themselves out barking. They are one of the quietest
of the small breeds and they make great watchdogs because when
they do bark, it is noticed..unlike small dogs that bark
continuously and thus loses effectiveness. An alert watchdog
like the Peke notified all and sundry when something is afoot>
but only then.
Fortunately, the Pekingese has never been a "fad" and thus
characteristics have not been lost in the melee of overproduction. Most people are breeding wisely and in considered moderation.
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The general appearance requirements of a Pekingese are that
it be small, well-balanced and thickset. It displays great
dignity and carries itself fearlessly into a show ring with
an alert, intelligent expression. It has a massive head, the
skull is broad, wide and flat between the ears, not domed.
Wide between the eyes, nose short and broad, nostrils large,
open and black. Muzzle wide, wrinkled, with a firm underjaw.
The feet are large and flat, not round and the dog stands up
on its feet, not on pasterns. The front feet are turned slightly
out.
All Pekingese walk with a characteristic roll, a gait
induced by its shape. In profile, Pekes are wide in the
chest and narrow at the rear. When it walks,it attempts to
distribute its weight evenly on short legs, thus rolling along.
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THE PEKINGESE NATIONAL ANTHEM
The Pekingese...disdain to please...on any set design
But make a thrall...of one and all...by simple right Divine.
The Pekingese...abstain from fleas...and doggy things like that
And hate it when...unthinking men...compare them to the cat
The Pekingese...have feathered knees...and plumes where tails should be
And as they race...around the place...they ripple like the sea
The Pekingese...adore their ease...and slumber like the dead
In comfort curled...they view the world...as one unending bed
The Pekingese...on China's seas...embarked to win the west
A piece of Ming's...a lovely thing...but oh, THE DOGS ARE BEST!
By E.V. Lucas
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Hearts United for Animals - Rescue & Adoption
If you do not have a dog or cat and would like to provide
a loving home for one that has possibly suffered a horrible
life of abuse and neglect, check out this site. They have pictures of their current residents with brief stories about them. In most cases, they can relocate long distances. They also offer sponsorship of an animal and list some specific needs they have; toys, leashes,etc. Many of their little residents came from puppy mills and were hideously abused. |
PEKINGESE PET CREST--It is Gorgeous!!
SOME FAVORITE LINKS
LINKS TO OUR OTHER PAGES
Webring Directory
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Pekehaven has been invaded by cats! These are only a few of
the seventeen we now have rescued. The Pekes do not mind them...in fact, Haley Jo thinks they are fun to pester! Pictured are Jesse James, Tripod Greebo, Stormi K, Chinook and Sir Wally. Tripod Greebo has only 3 legs and Stormi was found buried in a dumpster. All are spayed or neutered, except the tiny ones. Almost all were strays or ferals. |
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