Pekingeses - Dogs - Pictures

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Pekingeses - Dogs - Breed Roots

Pekingese dogs are mysterious dogs originally bred in China to accompany their royal owners and share happy and sad moments of their lives. Numerous legends, fairy tales, figurines, and drawings brought from China caused much curiosity in Europeans longing to see the breed with their own eyes. Yet, no sooner than in 1860 did they manage to see the Pekingese live.

The Pekingese was so highly valued in China that only the emperors and empresses could own one. Breeding of these dogs was considered a secret carefully kept by eunuchs and the royalty themselves. Pekingese, also called Lion Dogs, were treated like a great treasure and cared for day and night.

According to history, the dogs had their own servants who slept near them at night to fulfill their every need. Pekingese were fed from expensive dishes and groomed while standing on lacquered tables. Everything was done to maintain the beauty of the dogs to later carry them on cushions during events in the throne-room to please the eye of royal persons.

Pekingeses - Dogs - Appearance in Europe

In 1860, during a war, Europeans captured the Imperial Summer Palace. They found five Pekingese there and brought them back home. One of the outlandish dogs was presented to Queen Victoria and created virtually a stir when appearing on public. The royal roots of the Pekingese, its low availability, and amazing looks caused great demand for the breed. It was considered both fashionable and prestigious to own a Pekingese.

It is interesting to know that a wealthy American, named Morgan, tried to buy a Pekingese in England in 1907. He was so eager to own the dog that offered 10.000 pounds sterling. Yet, the owner did not accept the offer. The price went higher and reached the point of 32.000 pounds sterling. It did not bring success either. The Pekingese stayed with its happy owner and enlarged the Guiness Book of World Records as the most expensive dog ever.

Pekingeses - Dogs - Legends

As Pekingese dogs distributed gradually around the world, many legends attributed to breed origins spread along. According to some sources, the Pekingese is the result of love between the lion and the marmoset. So was the power of love that the lion decided to seek help from Ah Chu, the saint of animals. Ah Chu agreed to cope with the weird situation on the condition the lion will lose its great size. Thus, the lion grew to diminutive size, yet retaining its courage and great hearth. Relationship of the lion and the marmoset produced the Pekingese dogs.

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