The Hidden Royal Story Behind the Pekingese Dog Breed: From Imperial Palace to Modern Home

The Pekingese dog royal origins as majestic as its appearance. Once exclusively bred for Chinese emperors, the Pekingese held a sacred place within the Forbidden City, pampered and worshipped for centuries. Today, these lion-like lapdogs grace modern homes worldwide, still exuding the proud elegance of their royal heritage.

The Pekingese stands among the world’s oldest and most mysterious dog breeds. These small but proud dogs trace their roots to ancient China, where breeders shaped them to mirror the mythical “foo dog” – Buddhist temple guardian lions. Their status in the Chinese imperial palace was so sacred that stealing or harming one meant death.

The rich history of these royal companions shows deep ties to Chinese royalty. They weren’t ordinary pets – the emperor and his family kept them as exclusive symbols of imperial power. The breed’s path to the West has a dramatic story. British soldiers found five surviving Pekingese while looting the Summer Palace during the Second Opium War in 1860. These dogs might be tiny – just 6-9 inches tall and 7-14 pounds – but they carry themselves with royal confidence and independence. The breed’s remarkable story spans from their days as the Chinese emperor’s exclusive companions to their current status as beloved pets. Modern Pekingese live about 13.3 years, outlasting both purebreds and crossbreeds.

The Royal Origins of the Pekingese

A remarkable breed emerged from ancient China’s imperial courts that would become forever linked to royalty. Historical records trace the Pekingese’s roots to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). These dogs started their journey as religious symbols within the imperial courts.

Pekingese origin and early breeding

Buddhism’s arrival in China shaped the Pekingese dog breed’s development. Buddhist monks bred these dogs to mirror lions – sacred symbols in Buddhist mythology. Chinese emperors wanted to recreate Buddha’s achievement of taming a wild lion that would “follow at his heels like a faithful dog”. Selective breeding across generations created the perfect “lion dog” with distinct features: a flat face, large eyes, short legs that sometimes bowed, a long body, a mane-like ruff around the neck, and a tufted tail.

Why only emperors could own them

The Pekingese had earned its aristocratic status by the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). The imperial family claimed exclusive ownership of these sacred symbols. No one outside the palace walls could own or breed them. The rules were strict – people had to bow when they saw a Pekingese, just as they would to royal family members. Death awaited anyone who dared to remove these dogs from the royal palace or treat them cruelly.

The role of the Pekingese in palace life

Palace walls sheltered these beloved companions in exceptional luxury. The Pekingese’s life in ancient China included:

• Living in marble kennels with silk cushions
• Getting care from teams of eunuchs who bathed them
• Eating the finest rice and meat

The Tang Dynasty even granted some Pekingese official court ranks. Their royal connection extended to practical uses – courtiers matched their dogs’ colors (fawn, cream or black) to their clothing. The tiniest ones, weighing just six pounds, earned the name “Sleeve Dogs.” Their owners carried these small creatures hidden in their silk robes’ flowing sleeves.

The Journey from China to the West

Life changed forever for the Pekingese dogs living peacefully behind China’s imperial walls in 1860.

The looting of the Summer Palace

British and French forces stormed Beijing’s Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) in October 1860, during the Second Opium War. The palace was also known as the “Gardens of Perfect Brightness”. The soldiers ransacked the 800-acre imperial gardens and stole priceless artifacts. They set fire to the elaborate cedar buildings—a devastating cultural destruction that people now call “China’s Ground Zero”. The Xianfeng Emperor fled with his court while imperial servants killed most palace dogs to keep them away from foreign hands.

How Pekingese reached Queen Victoria

Five Pekingese dogs survived the chaos. British Captain John Hart Dunne found these living treasures in the emperor’s elderly aunt’s apartment. She had taken her life as military forces approached. Queen Victoria received the smallest dog—a fawn and white female wearing silver bells around her neck. She named her “Looty,” which openly acknowledged the dog’s status as war plunder.

British aristocrats shared the other four Pekingese among themselves. Lord John Hay took two dogs—later named Schloff and Hytien—and gave them to his sister, the Duchess of Wellington. Sir George Fitzroy took the remaining pair and gifted them to the Duke and Duchess of Richmond and Gordon.

The rise of the breed in Western society

The Pekingese breed captured Western society’s attention after Looty’s arrival. The Queen’s ownership made the breed more popular. The Pekingese became Britain’s most popular toy breed between 1914 and 1962. Registration numbers peaked at 5,809 dogs in 1950.

These dogs’ status as “stolen” treasures made them more appealing to British elite. Dog enthusiasts claimed the breed had stereotypically “oriental” traits, and owning one became a symbol of “colonial nostalgia”. One lord spent what would now be £300,000 ($365,000) for just a few dogs in the early 1900s. The breed made its way to America in the late 1890s, and the American Kennel Club registered its first Pekingese in 1906.

Traits That Reflect a Royal Past

The Pekingese dog breed’s royal heritage shows in every physical feature they have, a result of centuries of selective breeding in imperial China.

Pekingese characteristics and appearance

These noble dogs have a distinctive physical structure that speaks of their royal ancestry. They are compact and sturdy, standing just 6-9 inches tall and weighing up to 14 pounds. Their most striking feature is without doubt their magnificent “lion’s mane” – a thick ruff of hair around the neck and shoulders that creates their lion-like appearance.

The Pekingese’s physical traits include:

• A flat face with large, dark, sparkly eyes and a short muzzle
• A unique “envelope shaped” rectangular head that’s wider than long
• A distinctive “rolling” gait that breeders think over and developed to keep court dogs from wandering too far
• A double coat in colors of all types including gold, red, sable, cream, black, white, tan and occasionally slate gray

The ancient breed standard showed incredible attention to detail, reflecting how carefully these dogs were bred as royal companions.

Temperament: loyalty, pride, and independence

The Pekingese’s temperament has earned them the nickname “lion dog” not just for their looks but because of their dignified and strong-minded nature. They build incredibly close bonds with their owners while keeping their regal independence.

Many Pekingese owners describe their pets as “opinionated” – a trait that connects directly to their royal background. These dogs make affectionate and intelligent companions, yet keep their aristocratic reserve, especially when you have strangers around.

Sleeve Pekingese and their unique role

The sort of thing I love about this breed is the “sleeve” Pekingese – a smaller variant between 6-8 pounds that got their name from being carried in the flowing sleeves of Chinese imperial robes. These tiny companions served a special purpose beyond just keeping their owners company.

These small sleeve Pekingese acted as miniature guard dogs in the palace, despite their tiny size. Breeders managed to keep them small through selective breeding, sometimes using controversial methods like rice wine or tight-fitting waistcoats to limit growth. These little dogs kept all the courage and protective instincts of their bigger relatives.

Cultural Legacy and Modern Appeal

The pekingese dog breed has kept its distinguished presence from royal palaces to Hollywood mansions through centuries. These majestic canines continue to fascinate hearts worldwide with their unique blend of royal dignity and loyal companionship.

Famous owners and media appearances

The pekingese boasts an impressive list of distinguished owners throughout history. Queen Victoria’s imperial pet started a trend among notable figures. The Empress Dowager Cixi gave pekingese dogs to several Americans. John Pierpont Morgan and Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth, President Theodore Roosevelt’s daughter, were among the lucky recipients.

Silent film star Olive Thomas owned a pekingese in the early 20th century. The breed’s connection to celebrity grew stronger when child star Shirley Temple received the pekingese that starred with her in “Stowaway” (1936). Other notable pekingese owners included:

• Romantic novelist Barbara Cartland with her pure white “Twi-Twi”
• Actor Richard Burton who gave Elizabeth Taylor a one-eyed pekingese
• Comedienne Joan Rivers whose pekingese Max was “aloof”

The breed has made many appearances in films, showcasing their role as ambassadors of Chinese heritage.

Pekingese in dog shows and competitions

The breed has left its mark in competitive circles. A pekingese named Wasabi won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2021. This victory marked the fifth time the breed claimed this prestigious honor. The 145th Annual Westminster event took place at the Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, New York.

Malachy, another pekingese, won Best in Show at Westminster in 2012. These five Best in Show victories put the pekingese on par with the Standard Poodle.

Why the breed remains beloved today

The pekingese’s royal heritage continues to fascinate modern dog lovers. These dogs have evolved from exclusive imperial companions to cherished household pets, showing their adaptability across cultures and time.

The Kennel Club notes that “their popularity has declined”, but devoted fans still treasure these dogs for their unique looks, proud demeanor, and rich history. The pekingese’s compact size, striking appearance, and independent yet loving nature keep them popular as dog ownership trends change.

Conclusion

Pekingese dogs are proof of centuries of royal heritage that connects ancient imperial courts to modern homes through their unique character and looks. Their experience from being exclusive companions of Chinese emperors to becoming beloved pets worldwide is one of the most compelling stories in canine history. Without doubt, these small but powerful dogs carry themselves with dignity that shows their noble ancestry – from their magnificent lion’s mane to their proud, independent nature.

Their arrival in the West happened through unfortunate events during the Summer Palace’s looting, but this dramatic chapter ended up helping the breed thrive globally. Pekingese dogs won the hearts of many – from Queen Victoria to Hollywood celebrities – which shows their lasting charm across cultures and generations.

The sort of thing I love about these dogs goes beyond their rich history. Their special mix of fierce loyalty and regal independence creates a companion unlike any other – one that seems aware of its royal roots while fitting perfectly into family life. These dogs’ protective nature, striking appearance, and dignified bearing made them perfect palace companions, and these same qualities continue to capture dog lovers’ hearts today.

A Pekingese brings more than just a pet into our homes – it brings a living piece of history that links us to imperial China’s ancient courts. These remarkable “lion dogs” show us that grand spirits often come in small packages, as they carry centuries of royal heritage in each proud step.

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