Do Pekingese Shed? (Peke Shedding Guide)

Pekingese were bred to sit on the laps of ancient Chinese emperors and nobility. They are intelligent, confident and charming dogs that make loyal family companions.

Do they shed much? Pekingese have a long, straight outer coat and a soft, thick undercoat that sheds a moderate to heavy amount year-round.

They are also a fairly high-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming, so if you want to keep the shedding to a minimum, you will need to invest some time into regular brushing.

Let’s take a closer look at how much Pekes shed and how to reduce this, so you can enjoy the company of this adorable dog, without spending too much time cleaning up loose fur.

Pekingese Shedding – All You Need to Know

Pekingese are an above-average shedding breed.

They’re not the heaviest shedding dog out there, but they’re not far off it either. To give you an idea, they shed more than a Shih Tzu and Malteste, about the same as a Pomeranian, but not quite as bad as a Pug.

They shed about the same year round, but because they’re a double coated breed, they do shed more profusely during certain times of the year (like spring). And the reason they do this is that they are shedding their coat in preparation for the change in weather.

Some people think small breeds don’t shed, but this simply isn’t true. All dogs shed to some extent, unless they are a completely hairless breed. Shedding is a natural process where their old fur stops growing, falls out, and new fur takes its place.

With that being said, overall you will notice less hair around your home with a Pekingese in comparison to a larger breed, simply because there is less fur that can fall out.

But overall they do lose a fair amount of hair throughout the year, so you will be spending time cleaning this off of your furniture, clothing, floors and just about anywhere else you can think of. Which is why regular brushing is important.

What Are Pekes Like to Groom?

Pekingese are a fairly high maintenance breed with respect to grooming, especially if you want to reduce the amount of shedding they do.

Pekes have long, straight outer coats that are prone to mats, knots and tangles. Not to mention, debris can easily get stuck in the coat when they’re outside playing. So regular brushing (2-3 times per week) is needed to maintain his coat.

If you don’t care about shedding and just want to maintain his coat, then brushing a few times per week will do. But if you want to keep your home fur free, then daily brushing is needed as well as bathing once or twice per month with a quality dog shampoo.

The best brush to use is a slicker brush and a metal comb or deshedding tool. There’s no hard and fast rule here but these tend to work very well with a Pekinese.

Start with the slicker and brush with the direction of the coat to gently remove the loose hair, as well as carefully work out any mats and tangles. And finish up with a metal comb (or deshedder) to remove the loose undercoat fur.

The best way to do it is to spend a little bit of time (10-15 minutes) brushing each day or every other day, and make time for a one hour session once per week to maintain their coat.

Are Pekingese Hypoallergenic?

No, Pekingese are not a hypoallergenic breed.

The term “hypoallergenic” is controversial though, because the truth is no dog is fully hypoallergenic. Even hairless breeds can cause allergies to flare up because the source of the allergy doesn’t come from the hair itself, it comes from the dander (dead skin) and dried saliva of the dog.

However, these allergens attach themselves to the dogs coat, so heavy shedding breeds like Pekingese spread these allergens a lot more than a low shedding breed. Which is one of the main reasons they’re not considered to be hypoallergenic.

If this is your concern, a breed like the Italian Greyhound or Basenji would probably be more suitable, as these are considered to be non-allergenic dogs.

Reducing Excessive Shedding

The best way to reduce how much hair your Peke sheds is by brushing regularly with a slicker brush. This is without a doubt the simplest and most effective method.

Brushing not only removes the loose fur from the dog, before it has a chance to fall onto your furniture, but it promotes a healthier coat. Because when you brush you help to spread the oils of his coat, which can prevent dryness. And since dry skin and hair can cause excessive shedding to occur, this a big plus.

Aside from brushing, there are some other effective methods of limiting dog shedding such as bathing and ensuring he is consuming a healthy, balance diet.

Bathing in warm water with a quality dog shampoo once or twice per month can really help to loosen the dead hair. And when you follow this up with a good brush, can significantly reduce how much they shed in the coming days and weeks.

Just be sure not to over bathe, use a dog shampoo (never human shampoo), and allow their coat to dry before you start brushing. If you’re strapped for time, try using a blower to dry the coat, which will not only speed up the drying process but can also help remove more hair while you are brushing.

When it comes to diet, it’s important to feed your Peke a quality dog food that contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids as this can help promote a healthy skin and coat, which in turn can reduce shedding.

You can’t stop them from shedding, all dogs do this, so you should expect they will lose some hair. Especially during seasons like spring and fall. But by keeping these simple tips in mind you can reduce how much hair they loose and therefor how much time you spend cleaning it up.

What Makes Pekes Unique?

Pekes are loyal, affectionate and highly intelligent dogs that were bred as companions for ancient Chinese royalty.

They are known for having a lion-like main around their neck and shoulder area, which is why some refer to them as “lion dogs,” a title also awarded to Shih Tzus, a similar Chinese lap dog.

But they’re not just cute, small lap dogs.

They are confident, somewhat stubborn, independent dogs that have survived some less than ideal circumstances over the years.

For example, in the late 1800’s they survived the Opium Wars where the British invaded their home city (Peking) and, according to the AKC, were one of only three dogs to survive the Titanic.

So they’re quite an impressive breed. And even though they are a heavy shedder, they are adorable and more than make up for this with their rich personality, making them a welcome addition to any home.