Peke-A-Tese

The Peke-A-Tese’s parent breeds, the Pekingese and the Maltese, both originated in ancient times and were isolated as populations for a significant period. Both dogs also, however, have their own unique evolution journeys that end up intersecting in 19^th century America. The Pekingese hails from ancient China and was named after the capital city Peking, (now Beijing). A popular legend asserts that in ancient times, a lion fell in love with a marmoset and requested that the gods make him small enough to marry his petite bride. The gods obliged and the result was the Pekingese, a small dog with the courage of an animal that is much larger. In fact, these dogs are often referred to as “The Lion Dog of China.” Records of the Pekingese are scarce, but they were cherished pets in their native country for centuries. When China began to open its doors to the outside world under the reign of The Dowager Empress (1861-1908), Pekingese were gifted to foreign diplomats as gifts. The breed quickly grew in popularity, particularly in the United States, and was recognized by the AKC in 1909. The Maltese, as its name suggests, comes from ancient civilizations on Malta. In fact, there are written accounts and art work dating back to the 5^th century that showcase the breed as a beloved lapdog on the island. In the 14^th century, however, holy wars sweep the region; invading forces snatched up these small dogs to bring home with them, primarily to Western Europe. In England particularly the Maltese breed became a favorite among the ruling class. Americans also started showing interest in the breed and showing them in the late 1800s. By 1888, the Maltese was recognized by the AKC and become a globally recognized breed. The Peke-A-Tese was likely to have been bred arbitrarily throughout the 20^th century. It is now an established designer breeds with a significant fan base in North American. Even so, it is not recognized by the American Kennel Club yet.