The Pekingese or 'Peke' is truly an 'IMPERIAL' dog, with a history dating back as far as 2000 B.C. For Centuries the Pekingese was worshipped in the temples of China, and it was a custom for the emperor to select four Pekes who were to become his 'bodyguards'. These four Pekes would precede the emperor on occasions of state, two of them announcing his approach at correct intervals with sharp, piecing barks, the other two daintily holding the hem of his royal robe in their mouths. Theft of a Peke, or injury to one of them was considered to be a crime punishable by death.
In 1860, the Chinese summer palace was taken over by British troops. The royal family fled along with the majority of their dogs and orders were given to kill the remaining dogs so they would not end up in enemy hands. However, five dogs were found in a secluded corner of the Summer Palace beside their attendants, who had committed suicide rather than be captured. These five dogs, which survived the ordeal in the palace, were subsequently taken to England. One was presented to Queen Victoria and was named "Looty". The others were bred and over time, the English began to develop the current breed standard.
Also known as" Lion Dogs" due to the heavy mane, broad front and more narrow hindquarters, this breed is nearly the same today as they were in early times. Today you will see a larger coat and a flatter face but the characteristics that we are looking for in the breed today were in evidence in the earliest recordings of the breed.
The most common legend as to how the Pekingese dog came about is as a result of a match between a lion and a marmoset
Legend had it that there was once a great lion king. He was loved by all that knew him. He was both brave and fearless, but at the same time, merciful and kind. One day, he met a beautiful Marmoset with large, beautiful brown eyes, and they instantly fell deeply in love with eachother. However, the lion was too large. The great lion king wanted to be with the Marmoset for the rest of his life, so he went to Buddha and told him of his dilemma. Buddha allowed the lion to shrink down to the size of the marmoset yet still retain his brave heart and lion-sized nobility. And from this match came the Pekingese, a dog with the face of a little monkey and the mane and heart of a lion.
Because the Pekingese was believed to have originated from the Buddha, he was a temple dog. He was made small so that he could go after and destroy little demons that might infest the palace or temple. But his heart was big so that he could destroy even the largest and fiercest.