A popular dog breed, the Pekingese is renowned for its majestic look and endearing nature. Two distinct varieties within the breed are the Dwarf and Royal Pekingese. Despite their small stature, these charming dogs are full of personality and have a fascinating past.
There are clear distinctions between the Dwarf and Royal Pekingese that set them apart, even though they both have distinctive lion-like manes and loving dispositions. Dog lovers find appeal in every variety, regardless of temperament or physical attributes.
Determining which of these two Pekingese breeds might be the best fit for a given home can be made easier for prospective owners by being aware of their distinctions. The Dwarf Pekingese and the more traditional Royal appearance, though different in size, both arouse affection and loyalty in any home.
Origin of the breed
Researchers think that an IGF-1 gene mutation is the cause of the emergence of "dwarfs" in normally sized dogs. All mammals’ sizes are the result of it. China is where the first Pekingese were bred more than 2000 years ago. It was different from contemporary ones in appearance, with longer paws and a more graceful body.
The little animal was promptly taken over by the imperial court. It was forbidden for anyone else in the Celestial Empire to own Pekingese. Cynologists did not recognize the Imperial or Royal Pekingese until the late 1800s, at which point breed standards were created, some of which deviated from the FCI’s approved standard No. 207.
Chinese miniaturization experts went a step further and bred a smaller-sized Pekingese breed. Chinese dog breeders attempted to eradicate a very small breed by crossing imperial dogs with tiny Manchu breeds, which they unified under the common name "Ha-PA" ("Less table").
In order to protect themselves from the piercing drafts and bitter cold of the imperial palace, the ladies of the court wore the tiny creatures—dubbed "muffs"—in wide kimono sleeves. Another "family member" has joined the Pekingese breed. With the exception of size, the Sleeve Pekingese is the same as the standard Imperial or Royal Pekingese.
Description of breeds dwarf and royal Pekinez
Standard Pekingese were not as valuable as tiny sleeved ones. They were gratefully received as priceless gifts. Such a "treasure" weighs no more than six pounds (USA, Canada) or seven pounds (England), which is two to three kilograms less than an imperial Pekingese.
The uniqueness of sleeve Beijes adds to their value. It is impossible to precisely predict when a sleeve will give birth, as they are not a distinct breed. However, this does not imply that any infant—regardless of how big their brothers are—is a Beijes sleeve.
A true "muff" has a robust skeleton, balanced head and body proportions, a stocky build, and flowing, opulent hair. The sleeve subspecies must also adhere to the Pekingese standard, which states that the small Pekingese must have:
- Skull, composed of massive bones, flattened in the direction from the dorsal to the ventral surface and the frontal plane. A domed skull is unacceptable.
- The nose is short with a large fleshy nose lobe and open nasal passages. The nose lobe is pigmented with black. There is a transverse fold on the bridge of the nose.
- Eyes large, oval-shaped with a dark iris. The eyes are wide apart, not convex, tightly covered by eyelids with a black border along the edge.
- Jaws are flattened, strong with small white teeth. Lips are dry, tightly fitting to the teeth. They are completely closed, so that the teeth and tongue are not visible.
- In profile, the Pekingese"s muzzle forms an almost ideal line – the forehead, nose mirror and chin are located in the same plane.
- Ears medium size, soft, hanging on cartilage and tightly fitting to the skull. The V-shaped tip of the ear should not go beyond the line of the upper row of teeth.
- The neck is strong, muscular, without a plumb line.
- The body short, powerful, but not square. They taper somewhat towards the pelvis. The waist is clearly visible.
- The chest is developed, oval-shaped, wide. The ribs are rounded.
- The limbs powerful, short. In the forelimbs, the forearm bones are slightly curved and the wrists are close together. Elbows are under the chest. Hind legs are less thick, but no less strong. Paws are wide, massive.
- Tail set high, wide at the base and tapering towards the end. Covered with long hair falling on both sides of the tail. The dog holds it curled into a semicircle and thrown over the back.
Rich, silky hair in the neck and chest region creates a noticeable frill or mane. Long featherings can be seen on the paws’ backs. The hair on the head is coarser and shorter. The undercoat is thick and obvious in the head region. Long ornamental hair adorns the tail and ears.
A typical Pekingese dog is between 15 and 25 cm tall. Weight: 5-5.5 kg. Therefore, sleeve less. The standard makes clear that the Pekingese sleeve is a scaled-down version of the imperial. The "muff" is a robust, healthy, and well-built dog at the same time.
Dishonest "breeders" take advantage of people’s desire for small pets by offering dwarf Pekingese. The "dwarfs," in contrast to the sleeve, have diseases related to their appearance and state of health. Their skeleton is less robust and more brittle. The body is disproportionate because of the large head and curved back. A dwarf Pekingese’s eyes are swollen.
Health features
Apart from variations in appearance, there exist grave illnesses that considerably reduce the lifespan of canines. Frequently, dwarf Pekingese have:
- hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid inside the skull);
- malocclusion or incomplete dental formula;
- anomalies in the structure and mineralization of bones;
- fontanelle not overgrown.
They have Pekingese-specific illnesses in addition to dwarfism-related characteristics. Among them are the following:
- diseases of the spine;
- urolithiasis;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- dermatological diseases.
When purchasing a small Pekingese that is not the standard size, you should be very clear about what you are getting: a robust, healthy pekingese, or a "disabled" pekingese for the same high price.
From a genetic perspective, sleeve and dwarf Pekingese are the product of a genetic mutation, which is a breed defect.
Photo of a dwarf and royal Pekingese
Video about a dwarf and royal Pekingese
| Characteristic | Dwarf Pekingese | Royal Pekingese |
| Size | Small, compact | Small, slightly larger than Dwarf |
| Weight | Up to 6 pounds | 6 to 14 pounds |
| Temperament | Loyal, affectionate | Dignified, calm |
| Coat | Long, flowing | Long, thicker coat |
| Energy Level | Moderate | Low to moderate |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 12-14 years |
Both the dwarf and the royal pekingese are fascinating breeds because of their distinct charm and majestic appearance. They are cherished companions for many because, in spite of their diminutive stature, they exude pride and dignity in who they are.
Despite having different physical characteristics, both types have an independent and loyal temperament. Their loving nature makes the effort worthwhile, but their care demands attention to grooming and health.
Whether you prefer the dainty Dwarf Pekingese breed or the stately Royal type, both add happiness and grace to any home.
Two subtypes of the same ancient breed, distinguished by their majestic appearance and endearing dispositions, are the dwarf and the royal pekingese. Despite having the same ancestry, the dwarf pekingese is smaller and was bred to be small, which makes it perfect for lap dogs. Chinese royalty has always favored the slightly larger Royal Pekingese, which is frequently seen as a status symbol. Both types are renowned for their bravery, loyalty, and independence; however, because of their occasionally stubborn temperament, they need to be handled gently and patiently.
