Pekepoo Breed Details
Below are details and specs for the Pekepoo dog breed.
Pekepoo Dog Breed
Peekapoo
Peekapoodle
Peka-Poo
Pekapoo
Peke-A-Poo
Pekingese Poodle
Peek-A-Poos are cross-bred from Pekingese and Miniature Poodles, and they will inherit their appearance and behavior from both parents. Peek-A-Poos make great family dogs, and they are very attentive as well as enjoy a lot of gentle attention. They are loyal, dedicated, intelligent and relatively playful, and if they are brought up with other pets and children, they will get along very well. Families with small children, however, might look to another breed. These dogs make great watchdogs and will frequently bark at strangers. They do require a great amount of grooming, however, and if not done so, they may acquire behavior problems. If cared for properly, they will be graceful and highly appreciative, but they are also independent and come across stubborn as a result. These dogs are perfect for an apartment dweller and require little exercise.
Pekepoo Breed Description
Peek-A-Poos may reach anywhere from 8 to 12 pounds and be 10 to 12 inches high. Despite their size, they usually carry themselves proudly. They are great dogs for small apartments.
Peek-A-Poos are wonderful family pets that are dedicated, loving and eager to please, but they can be headstrong as well. They get along nicely with other pets and children, but it is best they grow up with and regularly socialize with them. They are wary of strangers, and they bark frequently — especially at unknown noises, activity and people.
Peek-A-Poos must be groomed daily with brushing, and they will need to be frequently clipped (best by a professional dog groomer) and bathed. Special attention should be paid to their ears and eyes. They usually find enough exercise by themselves, but they do love to play outdoors, and being walked once in a while is good too.
Pekepoo Breed History
The Peek-A-Poo is a hybrid crossed from the Pekingese and the Miniature Poodle. Unlike many related designer hybrids from parents of the Pekingese and Poodles with other breeds, it is a relatively old mix. The Peek-A-Poo was first bred in the 1950s from purebred parents, but that may not always be the case these days as a variety of dog registries exist that do not maintain the paperwork for the parent breeds like the American Kennel Club (AKC) is known to do.
Understanding the histories of the Pekingese and the Miniature Poodle will lend better appreciation to the Peek-A-Poo. The Pekingese was recognized by the AKC in 1906, and the breed has been around for more than 2,000 years and is from the region now known as China. Although the Miniature Poodle is not recognized by that exact name by the AKC, it is a Poodle and was officially recognized in 1887. (There are three Poodles: Standard, Miniature and Toy — all of which are recognized by the AKC simply as "Poodle.") The Poodle is not as old a breed as the Pekingese, but it has been around for a long time. It was first noted during the 15th century in Europe and was bred for hunting.
Pekepoo Appearance
As the Peek-A-Poo comes from two small breeds, it too is a small dog and will inherit many of the same traits as its parent breeds. Not all Peek-A-Poos will gain all of the characteristics of both parents. They may get more from the Pekingese or more from the Poodle, or they may inherit a balance of both parents' traits.
Although Peek-A-Poos are generally small with short torsos and legs, they come in a great number of coat colors, hair length, snout size and other features. It is not unusual for them to also sport a cute under bite! Their tails are usually short but can be very fluffy as well as curl up into a curly-Q. Their ears tend to be medium-sized, triangular and fold forward, but they may have very long hair that makes their ears appear far larger.
Pekepoo Temperament
Peek-A-Poos are loyal, friendly, eager to please, intelligent and playful, but they can be stubborn, and house-training may be difficult. They bark a lot and loudly so, but patient and persistent training at an early age may help control this. Heavy-handed training methods, noise and stress are not good for them. While they appreciate being gently held for long periods of time, they are equally at ease by themselves.
Although they will likely inherit personality traits from both parents, some may get most of their characteristics from the Pekingese while others may get more from the Poodle. On the other hand, they may get a mix of behaviors from both parent breeds. Either way, they tend toward the proud side and will usually let people know what they want and what they don't want.
Pekepoo Maintenance
Peek-A-Poos are very high-maintenance regarding grooming, health and attention. They are energetic and will move around a lot, and they don't need the daily walks that many dogs require. They don't shed much if at all, but they must be brushed frequently to keep their coat from matting.
They are very alert, bark loudly and will let their loved ones know of strangers, unknown noises and unusual movement. They are very good indoor dogs, are loyal and love to be with the family. They love being gently petted for long and frequent sessions. They are also fine by themselves for long periods of time.
Grooming Requirements
Most Peek-A-Poos require a great amount of grooming. Since one of the parent breeds is a Poodle, they will have hair that sheds very little and must be brushed daily to prevent matting. They should be bathed at least every 6-8 weeks and professionally trimmed every 2-3 months. If they have long hair over their ears, it is best to monitor and occasionally clean them, and their eyes should be gently cleaned (just water and a soft rag) at least once a week.
Exercise Requirements
Peek-A-Poos like the occasional outdoor walk, but they will usually get nearly all the exercise they require while indoors. They should have some small toys available too.
Too much exercise can be a problem, however, especially in hot or cold weather or climates. They have respiratory concerns that can be exacerbated by hot or cold air.
Living Requirements
Peek-A-Poos are perfect for small apartments, but if you do have a house with a yard and want to let them out, the yard should be securely fenced in. They do like to play in yards but if there is any danger of preying animals, your Peek-A-Poo should be watched closely.
Pekepoo Health
Peek-A-Poos come from two breeds that have long been carefully bred to be small and attractive. While they do have benefits from being cross-bred that eliminate some of the individual parent breeds' problems, they still have a significant history of respiratory, eye, ear and heart problems. Research should be done on the possible health conditions of both breeds if you are considering a Peek-A-Poo. With good care and constant monitoring, their average lifespan should be about 11 to 15 years.
Pekepoo Health Concerns
Below are potential health concerns associated with Pekepoos.
Patellar luxation
Progressive retinal atrophy
About this Article
Updated:June 25, 2016