Where did the Pekingese dog breed originate and when did they first show up in the United States?”
The Pekingese is a well-balanced, compact dog with heavy front and lighter hindquarters. It must suggest its Chinese origin in its directness, independence, individuality, and expression. Its image is lionlike. It should imply courage, boldness and self-esteem rather than prettiness, daintiness, or delicacy. (From the Standard) 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 was 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 1898 the first Pekingese came to America. They were admitted to the A.K.C. registry in 1906. Pe
