The Peekapoo is a designer cross breed that is the result of breeding a Pekingese with a Miniature Poodle or Toy Poodle. Also known as a Pekepoo, Peke-A-Poo, Pekingese Poodle Mix, Peke a Poo and Pekapoo, this little dog is one of the oldest mixed breeds and is known for being friendly and affectionate and easy to train.
With a soft, wavy coat and cute little face, this dog, that was originally bred for allergy sufferers because of it’s hypoallergenic coat, is ever growing in popularity. Read on below to find out more about this loving pup and whether you think they might be the right companion for you.
History Of The Peekapoo
The Peekapoo is an adorable companion dog that is very popular with allergy sufferers that need a dog with a hypoallergenic coat. The Peekapoo inherits this coat from their Miniature or Toy Poodle parent. One of the common misconceptions with the Peekapoo is that they can be bred using a Standard Poodle, but this is not true. A Miniature or Toy Poodle is crossed with a Pekingese to create the Peekapoo; because of the parent breeds similar sizes, it does not matter which is the sire or the dam.
Because this dog is not a purebred dog, the Pekingese is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, like many designer breeds, it is registered with the American Canine Hybrid Club.
Breed Origin
To understand where this breed comes from, it is important to look at the parent breeds of the Peekapoo.
The Pekingese is the national dog of China and are known for being loyal lapdogs! DNA evidence has confirmed that this breed of dog is one of the oldest and the Peke is believed to have existed in China for as long as 2,000 years. Named after the capital city of Peking (now Beijing), they were companions to nobles, princes and members of the imperial family.
These dogs originally came to the Western part of the world in around 1860 and by 1890 were gaining popularity in other countries. The first Pekingese was registered by the AKC in 1904 and today ranks at 49th.
The Poodle originated from the French and German border in the 15th and 16th century and was associated with the upper class. Because they are excellent water dogs, they were used to hunt water-fowl.
Later on, because of their adorable look, these pups became a very popular dog. The Toy Poodle was bred from the Standard Poodle by choosing the smallest pup from each litter and breeding with them. They were first seen in America in the 20th century.
The Peekapoo has actually been around longer than a lot of Poodle crossbreeds, originating in 1950 and gaining popularity in 1960. They were bred to be a low shedding companion dog for those with allergies due to their hypoallergenic coat.
Characteristics Of The Peekapoo
Due to the fact that the Peekapoo is a crossbreed and does not have a breed standard, we cannot be sure which traits they are going to inherit from each parent. However, based on past litters, we can make assumptions about these pups.
Peekapoo puppies are normally born in litters of 2 to 6 puppies. As we mentioned above, it does not matter whether the Pekingese or the Poodle is the mother breed. A Peekapoo puppy can set you back anywhere between $275 and $1450.
Appearance
The Peekapoo is a small dog that can grow up to 11 inches in height. They can weigh anywhere between 8 and 20 lbs, but any dog less than 8 lbs at an adult weight is considered a Miniature Peekapoo.
Coat
Peekapoos have a medium to long in length and is a wavy single coat. As we have mentioned above, their coat is hypoallergenic and perfect for those with allergies. This is also means that you won’t be finding dog hair all over your house. Their coat is very soft, too — perfect to cuddle up next to!
It is very common for Peekapoo owners to clip their dog’s coat. The longer the coat is, the more hassle it is to take care of the more bushing is required. However, we will go into more detail about grooming your Peekapoo later on.
Color
Your Peekapoo can come in a range of different colors. Remember, there is no breed standard so anything is possible! These colors can include silver, grey, white, red, cream, apricot, chocolate and black. However, while their coat can be solid in color, they can also have a range of different markings across the body.
Temperament
The Peekapoo is a crossbreed and so defining their temperament can be difficult. They will inherit this from their parent breeds, so we can take a look to see the personality of the Pekingese and Poodle.
The Pekingese is a true lapdog. Sometimes a little stubborn, this dog can expect you to wait on them which can result in difficulty training because they just don’t want to do what they’re told! However, they are very loyal and protective over their owners, meaning they can be wary of strangers and believe it is their job to guard the home. A Pekingese will happily spend time on their owners lap, but does not like children. Therefore, they are always better off in an adult home.
The Poodle, in contrast to the Pekingese, is not independent and loves to be around people. Because of their high intelligence they do not like to be left alone and can suffer from separation anxiety. This can result in excessive barking and destruction. Poodles are very active dogs and want to spend their time outside playing. They’re also very easy to train because of their love for people.
The Peekapoo dog takes traits from both parents. Like the Poodle, they will love to be around their owners and are gentle and affectionate. However, they also often inherit the guarding behavior from the Pekingese and will be alert and watchful, often barking if they feel something is out of place. Again, like the Poodle, they will suffer from separation anxiety if away from you for too long and are known for being extremely loyal.
Lifespan
The Peekapoo has a long life expectancy and, on average, can live anywhere between 13 to 15 years.
Known Health Issues
Unfortunately, as with any dog, the Peekapoo dog is prone to some health problems. These are issues that are passed down from their parent breeds. Luckily, because the Pekingese and the Poodle have been around for so long, it has given us enough time to understand these illnesses.
The most common health concerns found in the Peekapoo are set out below:
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome — this is a condition that is normally seen in dogs who have a short and flattened head and face. It can lead to breathing issues and loss of breath if they are overexerted.
- Collapsing trachea — this is a progressive, irreversible disease of the trachea. Dogs with this may cough and have difficulty breathing and exercising. It can be treated with life long medication.
- Teeth problems — these issues are passed down from the Poodle and normally relate to overcrowding. Sometimes, a dog won’t lose all their milk teeth and their adult teeth still grow and so the teeth rub together.
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca — this is when there is an inability to produce tear film. Dogs with this issue may have dry eyes that are red and irritated and may blink a lot. It can usually be treated with medication.
- Patellar luxation — this is a common condition in smaller dogs and is caused when the patella is not properly aligned. This can cause lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop.
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — this is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye.
- Von Willebrand’s disease — this is disease that is found in both humans and dogs and is common in Poodles. It is a blood disorder that affects the clotting process. It cannot be cured but it can be treated with small surgery.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Daily Life
Now we have learnt all about the temperament and character traits of the Peekapoo, it is time to take a look at what living with one of these pups every day is like. Read on below to find out about their food and diet requirements, exercise needs and grooming needs.
Food And Diet
The Peekapoo requires around 40 calories of food per pound of body weight when they reach adulthood. As a puppy, you should be feeding them based on their predicted adult weight — this can be difficult to determine, so you should always meet with the parent breeds so you can get an idea of how big your puppy might turn out.
Try to feed your Peekapoo a food formulated for small dogs. You can check the back of the food packet and that will give you an exact measurement for the amount of a specific food you should be feeding them based on their weight.
The food should be high-quality and nutritious. Puppy feeds can be split into 4 meals a day, until around 6 months old. You can then reduce this to two meals a day, which is usually breakfast and dinner.
Best Dog Food For The Peekapoo
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We recommend the Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites dry dog food for your Peekapoo. Formulated especially for smaller breeds, this kibble comes in small pieces, perfect for the small mouth of your dog. It’s also crunchy, which helps to clean their teeth and keeps their gums healthy as they chew.
This recipe contains United States farm-raised chicken as the number one ingredient, ensuring your Peekapoo is getting all the protein they need to stay active and to keep their muscles lean. It also features cranberries, which are rich in antioxidants, that help to support the immune system of small dogs. Even better, there are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives in this food that could harm your pup.
Exercise
For a little dog, this pup has high exercise needs. Thanks to their Poodle parent, the Peekapoo is an energetic little dog and requires up to 60 minutes of exercise a day once they have reached maturity. Due to health issues and their small body, when the Peekapoo is a puppy you should remember the 5 minute rule. This means 5 minutes of walking per month of age. So, if your pup is for months old, you should walk them for 20 minutes a day.
A Brachycephalic breed, the Peekapoo is prone to over-heating and heatstroke. You must make sure you know the signs and symptoms of this. If you live in a hot area, try to walk your pup early in the morning or late at night when it is cooler.
Because of this pup’s stubbornness, they are not a fan of learning tricks. However, treats are a great way to keep them entertained when you cannot play with them — try a snuffle mat to keep them busy!
Family Compatibility
Due to the Peekapoo’s small size, they are not suited to homes with larger dogs. Their stubborn and guarding nature can also make them an issue to have in the home with smaller dogs and other pets, so housing a Peekapoo on their own is often advised. Of course, they can be socialized from a young age and learn to live with other animals, but this may be difficult.
The Peekapoo doesn’t really tolerate children either. Again, because they are small, they are at a higher risk of hurting themselves or being hurt while playing with children. Plus, they can be territorial and this can cause issues. Because of this, the Peekapoo is suited to adult only homes. They also do not get on well with strangers and will likely bark. This is why socializing is so important.
Peekapoo’s are an energetic breed who need a fair bit of exercise every day to keep them happy and entertained. You must make sure you are able to commit this time to them before purchasing one of these dogs. Remember, they also don’t like to be left alone for long periods and time and will begin to exhibit destructive behaviors and separation anxiety if they are, so this is not the dog for you if you are out for many hours at a time.
Training
Training your Peekapoo can be a handful. We’ve mentioned above that the Peekapoo is a stubborn little dog, so positive reinforcement is a must. This includes verbal praise and lots of treats when they do the right thing!
The biggest issue with training your Peekapoo is house breaking them. The best thing to do is to establish a routine from the moment you first bring them home and use lots of positivity. Never get angry at your Peekapoo if they have an accident — they are learning and will not want to learn any more if you’re yelling at them!
Socializing
The Peekapoo can be very wary of those they don’t know. This can result in a lot of barking when they meet strangers. To combat this, socialization should happen from a young age. Take them out and introduce them to new places, sights, sounds, smells, people and other animals so they learn they don’t need to be scared or protect you.
This is particularly important if you have other pets at home or you have small children at home. The more they experience, the less scared they are likely to be.
Grooming
Unfortunately, the Peekapoo is quite a high maintenance dog and does require a fair bit of grooming. Their coat will grow long and wavy if able to grow for a couple of months and most owners tend to have their Peekapoo’s coat cut every 8-10 weeks. This way, it only needs to be brushed every few days. However, if you decide to keep your dog’s hair long, you will need to be brushing it every day.
There is no defined grooming style for a Peekapoo and this is something you can talk to your groomer about. Normally, owners tend to keep the hair on the body short but keep the face nice and round, while others like to keep their ears short so they don’t drag in their food and water!
You should clip your Peekapoo’s nails or get them tripped by the groomer as needed. Wiping their eyes to stimulate tear production on a daily basis is also important, because it will help to keep their eyes clean. And don’t forget to brush their teeth — this will prevent dental disease and decay. You can use dental chews and the dog food we mention above also helps to scrub their teeth as they chew.
Peekapoo FAQ’s
Is a Peekapoo aggressive?
A Peekapoo is not an aggressive dog. These pups are actually very loving and affectionate towards their owners and, when socialized properly, can be loving towards strangers too. The Peekapoo inherits a guarding instinct from their Pekingese parent and therefore feels the need to protect their owner. When not introduced to new things at a young age, they will begin to see strangers as a threat and bark. However, this is not aggression, just them simply trying to protect who they love and warn of any danger!
How much is a Peekapoo?
A Peekapoo can cost anywhere between $275 and $1450. They are a designer breed, so they are likely to be on the more expensive end of this scale. However, always make sure you buy from a reputable breeder.
If this is out fo your price range, you can always check your local shelter to see if there is a Peekapoo there that needs a loving home!
Summary
The Peekapoo is the result of crossing the loyal and protective Pekingese with the loving and playful Poodle. Although a little stubborn at times, in the right environment the Peekapoo is gentle and affectionate, happily curling up on the couch like a true lapdog. These dogs love their owners and are fiercely loyal, not liking being left alone and wanting to be with their owners at all times. While this pup may not do well in a home with other animals or a home with children, in an adult-only environment this doggie can become the perfect companion.