You would be hard-pressed to find a dog as regal as the distinctive Pekingese.
These magnificent dogs were bred to be the loyal companions of monarchs in China long ago and they have never lost their sophisticated appeal.
These dogs have maintained their regal stature, intelligence and loyalty that made them the perfect pets for Chinese monarchs and we have welcomed them into our homes and our hearts.
One of the most distinctive features about these dogs is their lion’s mane of fluffy hair that surrounds their entire body.
They have a lot of it! This hair takes a lot of maintenance and grooming and you won’t be surprised to hear that this dog can shed a lot!
Hair shedding is often a concern when you are considering a new dog to join your family. Dog hair gets everywhere!
Your furniture, your carpets and your clothes – none of these are safe when it comes to a dog that sheds its hair a lot and this can be especially difficult when dealing with the pet hair allergies that some of us have.
Do Pekingese Shed?
Do Pekingese shed? Yes, in general Pekingese do shed. These dogs have a lot of hair and generally where there is a lot of hair then shedding is to be expected. There are differing views on how much a Peke sheds, that range from an upper-moderate amount, to a heavy amount. So, there may be some difference in some dogs, dependent on their hair amount and type.
If a dog shedding is likely to be too much for you and your lifestyle then this breed of dog may not be the one for you.
Whilst there is some variation on how much this dog sheds there is a general agreement that these dogs do shed and it will be enough to require a lot of grooming and will definitely be enough to get noticed in your home.
A Short History Of The Pekingese
The Pekingese is a dog of ancient history and legend and unfortunately, this dog breed is so old that much of this history has been lost in the mists of time.
Where there is a mystery there is a legend and the story of the origin of this breed is a great one!
It is in China that the legend originates and as the story goes the Pekingese was created by the Buddha himself!
A lion in love went to see Buddha and ask for help as the love-struck lion had found that the object of his affections was a marmoset, a much smaller animal than the large lion.
Buddha chose to help the lion and shrunk him down to the size of a small dog – and the Pekingese was born.
As with many legends, there is some truth to the story but the truth is likely to be far more mundane.
The Pekingese is the result of our human ancestors in China who had a fascination with these happy-faced dogs with flatter faces.
They chose breeds that make great lap dogs and bred the Pekingese to be the loyal companion of emperors and courtiers over time.
Despite their long history, it wasn’t until 1860 that the West learned about this breed.
This is because during the Opium wars the British were invading the emperor’s palace and found five surviving Pekingese and bought them home for Queen Victoria who loved the breed and so did her subjects.
What is a Pekingese’s Coat Like?
The Pekingese is a compact dog yet is surprisingly stocky and is heavier than they look! They are built solidly but their fluffy exterior often hides this sturdy structure.
Their wide flat faces are fringed with bright eyes set wide apart. This is a look that is appealing and it is no surprise that the Peke has become a firm favorite among toy lapdogs.
A Pekingese’s coat is made up of a double layer of hair. An undercoat of soft thick hair that is densely packed to give a warm and waterproof covering over the body.
The outer coat is the bit that gives them their fluffy look and consists of long, straight hair that is often coarse to touch and lies flat over the body when groomed.
Their extremities all have a certain amount of feathering including the forelegs, tail and ears.
A Peke’s coat can come in all kinds of colours and patterns but their faces are always black and this adds to the overall dignified look that Peke owners know and love.
How Much Do Pekingese Shed?
According to the American Kennel Club, in general, as a breed, the Pekingese shedding levels are on the upper levels of moderate and are on the cusp of being a heavier shedder.
Although how much a Pekingese does shed seem to be dependent on the dog, it’s breeding and how much hair it has to begin with.
One thing is certain though you should expect moderate to a heavy amount of shedding and if you don’t want to have to deal with a home covered with hair regularly then this breed is not a good match for you.
When Do Pekingese Shed The Most?
As a shedding breed, the Pekingese does shed a moderate to heavy amount all year round and this will end up covering your clothes and your home.
Having lint rollers to hand and having the time to vacuum regularly is a must with a dog like this in the house.
Not only do these dogs shed year-round but they also have a bi-annual hair storm in Spring and Autumn.
This is a throw-back to ancient wolf and dog ancestors who shed hair bi-annually in order to maintain a healthy coat and skin. This gets rid of any dead hair to allow space for a new coat to grow through.
So expect extra hair to deal with for a few weeks in both the Spring and Autumn as well as dog hair to deal with all year.
As with any dog, there can be more reasons and issues that cause a dog to shed more than it should. It is often a sign of an underlying health issue or stress.
So if your dog seems to be shedding more than usual then have a quick check for fleas, ticks other parasites. If you can’t find any then a trip to the vet can help pinpoint any root causes to the extra shedding.
A dog who is showing signs of different behaviors such as a high inclination to lick than normal can also be a symptom of stress or injury and both of these things can lead to a higher level of hair drop.
Can I Reduce How Much a Pekingese Sheds?
You can’t stop the process a dog’s coat goes through when shedding because this is a vital part of your dog maintaining the health of its coat, skin and overall well being.
However, regular grooming will help to stop the hair falling onto your floor and getting all over your clothes.
After all, hair that is on a brush can’t spread around your home!
The Pekingese breed of dog are known for being high maintenance pooches. Their long, fluffy coats require a lot of grooming and maintenance so that they can remain clean, tangle-free and clear of dirt, debris and parasites.
Grooming can be a fantastic experience of bonding and love between a dog and owner but it is a responsibility that needs to be maintained for your dog to be healthy and happy.
Weekly brushing is a must to remove any tangles and debris from your dog’s coat but for a heavy shedding breed like the Pekingese, you might need to brush them several times a week to avoid too much natural hair dropping.
There are a few extra steps you can take that will encourage overall health in your dog and whilst it won’t reduce the natural hair shedding your Peke needs, it will avoid any extra shedding occurring as a result of poor health.
Ensure that your pup has the nutrition they need, avoids situations that cause stress and keep them free of fleas and parasites will help to keep your dog healthy and avoid any extra hair mess.
Equipment To Help Combat A Pekingese Shedding
Grooming is an important part of Pekingese ownership. Their coats have a tendency to mat if not well taken care of so they need regular grooming to keep their long coats free of tangles and dirt.
Don’t worry, this can be a great experience for both dog and owner too.
These dogs require a little more maintenance than a simple brush too. They should be brushed for at least one hour per week but many dogs will require more than this.
They will also need regular bathing and their fur may even need clipping.
With very long, fluffy dog coats like a Pekingese there are a variety of tools that will help you to groom them properly.
The added benefit of great grooming tools and a grooming schedule is that your Pekingese will drop less hair onto your carpet.
A slicker brush
A slicker brush is the perfect choice for dogs with double coats made up of a soft and dense undercoat and overcoat of long hair.
This brush is made from lots of thin pins that can get through the overcoat to the soft undercoat without causing damage.
This brush is designed to remove dead hair and dirt whilst also removing any tangles and hair mats. You do need to take a little care and use this brush gently as a rough touch could hurt your dog and cause the odd split end.
Deshedding Tools
Deshedding Tools are also a great choice for very furry dogs.
These grooming tools are designed to get through the tougher mats of hair which are common in Pekingese dogs and can help to thin out a coat that is too thick.
These are not to be used for daily brushing though, as you don’t want to thin out the dog’s coat too much.
It is also worth checking out the smaller sizes of this type of brush so that you don’t overwhelm your dog and it’s coat with a large brush.
Are Pekingese Considered To Be Hypoallergenic?
This is a question often asked by allergy sufferers or those with asthma who also suffer from dog hair and the extra dust that dog ownership brings.
Unfortunately, no dog is ever truly hypoallergenic. Dogs, in general, come with a certain amount of hair and skin shedding that can be a problem for anyone with an allergy.
If you are looking for a dog that is likely to cause less issue for allergies then, unfortunately, the Pekingese is not the dog for you.
These dogs are moderate hair shedders at best and are commonly heavy shedders so are likely to aggravate any allergies you may suffer with.
Do Some Pekingeses Shed More Than Others?
As a breed, the Pekingese can vary from dog to dog and from breeder to breeder. The differences in the coats of these dogs can be a big part of how much they shed their hair or not.
Some Pekingese have shorter and thinner coats and others have long, fluffy lion manes that turn them into a fluffball of a pet.
The more hair your dog has, the more likely it will be to shed more hair than others.
Dogs, in general, can differ from each other when it comes to hair loss for many reasons and although there is a breed standard that considers this breed to be heavy shedders your dog may differ and this will depend on its ancestry, health and stress levels a well as their coat.
Health Reasons For Higher Shedding Levels in Pekingese
Pests
Pests can be a big problem for dogs with a lot of hair and the Peke is no different.
Their double layer of fur is the perfect place for fleas, ticks and parasites to hide out and this can cause a problem for your dog’s health and their hair shedding levels.
Regular grooming can help with this as can regular flea treatments.
Nutrition
Nutrition is perhaps one of the leading causes of extra shedding.
These toy breeds of dogs make great companions and lapdogs but this can often encourage us to treat them like our human babies and give them extra tidbits and food that is inappropriate for them.
Make sure you are feeding your dog a nutritionally balanced diet of dog food bought from a reputable store and keep none dog food treats to a minimum – if you feed them any of these human foods at all.
Stress
Stress. Licking is a sign your dog is experiencing higher stress levels and can lead to extra hair shedding.
Pekingese are relatively independent dogs but they are also a loyal lapdog and can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for long periods of time.
They will also be sensitive to changes in the home and may need a little extra care and reassurance during these times to keep their stress levels down.
Overheating
Overheating is something that a Peke can suffer with. With all that fur, they prefer colder climates as they can easily become too hot. If this happens regularly they may start to drop some extra hair to compensate.
Ice packs for your Pekingese to lay on for car journeys and hot days can help.
Health Issues
Health Issues can be a problem with this breed of dog.
Pekingese are known to have a higher chance of several health issues occurring, such as breathing problems, cardiac issues and eye issues.
Any underlying medical issue can cause a dog to shed more as a symptom so if you can’t find the cause of your Peke’s extra shedding then take a trip to the vet to rule out any health issues it may be suffering with.
Final Thoughts: Do Pekingese Shed?
The Pekingese is a magnificent dog with an impressive ancestry going back years to the time when they were the preferred pet of the Chinese royalty.
They make fantastic pets for adults and their loyal, intelligent nature makes them the perfect dog to train and spend time with.
If you are considering a Pekingese for your next poochy companion there are a few things to think about and their heavy hair shedding and grooming needs are a big responsibility that needs careful consideration.
Thank you for reading do Pekingese shed, hope you have a great day!
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