Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Double coat, long.
A Pekingese suits
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 4 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 4 of 5)
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 1 of 5 and a watchdog score of 4, expect a fairly quiet dog. Grooming at 3 of 5 means weekly brushing.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 95.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Irish WolfhoundKidsEnergyShedding
Skye TerrierKidsEnergySheddingCompare: Pekingese vs Glen of Imaal Terrier · Pekingese vs Irish Wolfhound · Pekingese vs Skye Terrier
Frequently asked questions
Are Pekingeses good with kids?
The AKC rates the Pekingese 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Pekingeses shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 3 out of 5 (moderate), and coat grooming 3 out of 5.
Are Pekingeses easy to train?
Trainability is rated 3 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Pekingese have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Pekingese page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.