5-14 lbs
6-11"
United States
The Peke-A-Chon is a designer dog comprising a purebred Pekingese and a purebred Bichon Frise. They are small, friendly dogs who make great family pets. If you pet takes after the Bichon Frise they will be excellent with other dogs and children but if it has more of Pekingese temperament then they are not recommended for those with small children. But these are sweet, loving dogs who will make a great addition to any home. They like to play but don’t need a lot of exercise. Common colors are black, gold, cream, and sable and they often have combinations of these. They have long, thick, soft hair and are usually hypoallergenic from the Bichon side making them ideal pets for those with allergies. Regular grooming is needed to keep them looking their best.
The Peke-A-Chon is hybrid breed made up of a combination of a Pekingese and a Bichon Frise. Pekingese were bred to be companions at the imperial court of China and are regarded as one of the oldest of dog breeds. They have bulging eyes and with their short noses are prone to snoring but are as popular today as they were being pampered by royalty in ancient times. A Chinese legend says the Pekingese line was created when a lion fell in love with a marmoset and begged the patron saint of the animals to transform him to the size of a pigmy, but to keep his lion heart and character. In the past they were referred to as Lion Dogs, Sun Dogs and Sleeve Dogs on account of them being carried in the sleeves of those in the imperial court. The first the Western world knew about these little lap dogs was when the imperial palace was looted by the British in 1860. Five of them were found inside the palace guarding the body of their owner who had committed suicide rather than be taken prisoner. They were taken to England and later America where they were registered by the American Kennel Club in 1906. The fluffy white Bichon Frise was also bred to be a companion pet and originated in the Mediterranean. They are believed to be descended from the Barbet, a woolly water dog. This is where the name “Bichon” comes from as it was from the name Barbichon, the diminutive of the word Barbet. The Bichon belongs to the same family as the Maltese, Havanese, Bolognese and Coton de Tulear. Four groups of Bichons include Bolognese, Havanese, Maltaise and Teneriffe Bichons, which were developed on the Canary Island of Teneriffe. These cute dogs were also popular with royalty. King Henry lll is said to have doted on his pet and carried it around his neck in a basket. They later were used as circus performers with their cute looks and intelligence charming audiences. They were bred in France in the after World War 1 and later introduced into the United States in 1956. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1972.
The Peke-A-Chon is a hybrid breed made up of crossing a purebred Pekingese and a purebred fluffy white Bichon Frise. They are toy breeds and quite small weighing up to 15 pounds with a height of up to 12 inches. Common colors are black, gold, cream, white and sable and they often have variations of these. They have long, thick, soft hair and are hypoallergenic which makes them perfect pets for those with allergies. It also means they don’t tend to shed that much which makes them easier to groom. They have brown eyes and black noses and tails that curve over their backs.
Even though they don’t shed that much, a Peke-A-Chon’s coat should be brushed daily to prevent matting. They will also need to be trimmed every few weeks to keep them looking neat and in shape. They are likely to be hypoallergenic - the Bichon Frise is but not the Pekingese - so it will depend on which parent breed is more dominant. These breeds need special attention to their faces which should be cleaned daily to prevent tear stains or any problems developing with the skin folds in the area. They should also be dried thoroughly after bathing. The ears should also be checked weekly for any dirt and the teeth brushed daily to maintain good dental hygiene and prevent bad breath. The nails also need to be clipped when necessary.
A Peke-A-Chon is an intelligent, affectionate dog who love to cuddle with their owners. They are best suited to people with older children as the Pekingese side does not do well with very small children and may nip if provoked. But the Peke-A-Chon would learn to adapt if training and socialization are started early. They won’t enjoy being left alone for long periods so will suit a family where there is someone at home for a large part of the day. They are suitable for first-time owners and will be fairly easy to train although house-training them can be a bit of a challenge. As with all dogs, they will respond best to positive reinforcement and lots of praise. This breed can bark a lot so are good watchdogs but make sure they learn when to stop. The best way is to keep them occupied and give them enough exercise and playtime. They may be a bit shy with strangers but with their friendly natures it won’t last long.
A Peke-A-Chon is an active, playful dog but doesn’t need a huge amount of exercise to keep fit and healthy. But a daily walk and regular play times will keep him relaxed and happy. They will be more than willing to play inside or cuddle on the couch so are suitable for those living in an apartment. These dogs need company to prevent any destructive behavior from developing. They are quite sensitive to the heat so make sure you exercise them before it get too hot during the summer. They may have a tendency to wander off so rather keep them leashed in public.
Written by a Jack Russell lover Helen Bamford
Published: 11/10/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
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