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Welcome to our complete guide to the peekapoo. A delightful mixed breed that finds its way into the hearts of the world.
We look at what to expect from a Pekingese poodle mix and if this gorgeous little dog is right for your family.
When it comes to love, affection, and company, the peekapoo has a lot going for it.
These fluffy little dogs are great choices for anyone looking for a smaller companion dog.
So what are we waiting for? Let’s take a closer look at the peekapoo.
What is Peekapoo?
The peekapoo was developed by crossing a full Pekingese with a poodle.
As a crossbred dog, they can have different temperaments, appearances, and even sizes.
To fully understand the Peekapoo dog, we need to look at the Pekingese Poodle parents.
- The poodle breeding
Poodles come in three sizes, from the large standard poodle to the medium miniature poodle to the small miniature poodle.
Peekapoo puppies are bred from miniature or toy varieties.
Poodles are loyal and loving dogs with a lot of intelligence and energy. You tend to be pretty relaxed around people. Admire their families, but be quiet with strangers.
These smart pups need a lot of interaction to train their brains and burn energy.
They are great dogs for active families who love to be on the go.
- The Pekingese breed
The Pekingese is a lap dog with a watchdog heart. They cuddle up on your lap in the evening, but also let you know if someone is approaching the house.
Although they love their family, they can be a little intolerant and so are not always the best choices for children.
They also have some worrying health issues that we will get into later.
The mix of Pekingese and Poodle is one of the oldest “designer” hybrids, the first being bred in the 1950s.
This cute mix could have all of the traits of either of the two parent breeds we looked at above.
Let’s go a little deeper and see what to expect!
Peekapoo fully grown
Cute peekapoo puppies are small, but how big does a peekapoo get?
Peekapoo adults stand 11 inches on average. As with many hybrid dogs, weight can vary widely.
A peekapoo should be under 20 pounds and some weigh as little as 10 pounds.
Peekapoo temperament
These fabulous little dogs can have an open-minded and active attitude towards life.
While they’re very happy to snuggle up on your lap in a moment, they’d love to take you for a walk right away!
Peekapoos can be playful and friendly with people, but they can also protect their own people.
While most won’t refuse, care needs to be taken to socialize peekapoos so that they don’t become overly protective.
Because it is a hybrid, they can have more Pekingese traits than Poodle traits, or vice versa.
Since both the Poodle and Pekingese are friendly and outgoing dogs, the difference between one Peekapoo and the other Peekapoo can be just as noticeable as it is with some other hybrids.
Unfortunately, the Beijing parent’s health may have been passed on to the puppy, which could result in an energetic dog that is unable to burn its energy properly. We’ll take a closer look at this in a moment.
Education
Peekapoos have the potential to be high energy dogs at times.
In puppies, they can be small, aggressive chews.
Peekapoo puppies need chew toys, like teething rings, to help them when they start on their teeth. Other toys can help keep them entertained.
It is important to socialize your peekapoo as young as possible. Getting to know children early and getting used to them prevents major problems with barking and pimping.
The Peekapoo is a very smart little dog and has a tendency to learn new things quickly.
When using positive reinforcement techniques, such as For example, a little treat, if your pup does what is asked of him, he will learn even faster, especially if it is a stubborn pup.
Peekapoo colors
The peekapoo can have some distinct differences in coat color. This is pretty typical of any designer dog breed.
Your peekapoo can be a fawn color, white with brown or brindle spots, white with black spots, silver, gray, chocolate brown, or a combination of the above!
If you are looking for a specific color, such as a black peekapoo or a white peekapoo, you can wait a little longer.
Is the Peekapoo hypoallergenic?
Since the peekapoo does not drop excessively, many allergy sufferers can tolerate a peekapoo better than many other dog breeds. Hence, they are often referred to as hypoallergenic dogs. However, this is technically incorrect.
Poodles are a hypoallergenic breed of dog, but Pekingese are not. And you can have different types of hair from a mixed breed dog.
Peekapoo grooming
The wavy, soft fur of the Peekapoo is not only beautiful but also generally quite easy to care for. They do not have an undercoat like some breeds and therefore often do not lose much.
But your peekapoo might have a coat that looks more like the poodle parent than the Pekingese parent.
Usually, you need to bathe and clean regularly.
The peekapoo coat varies from medium to long, but if you don’t want to deal with brushing regularly, you can cut the hair down to a short size.
In the hotter summer months, your peekapoo may be much more comfortable with hair cut at least once.
Peekapoo health
The peekapoo has a facial structure that can make them more prone to respiratory problems.
Pekingese are a breed of brachycephalic dogs. One study found that 67% of Pecans had brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS).
BOAS is a terrible condition for a dog to live with and makes it difficult for them to breathe even at rest.
On very hot days, a peekapoo is at risk of overheating, especially if they are very active or spend a lot of time in an area with little or no shade.
If you are planning on taking your peekapoo to the beach on vacation, it is a good idea to give them a good clipping before you go out.
Bringing some shade with you when you are out in the sun a lot and with little shade can help avoid heat issues.
Only you can decide how you feel about the buying ethic of a pedigree or mixed-breed dog that was bred for breathing problems.
Crossbreeding with a full mouth dog may reduce the chances of your pup having problems, but it will not be able to remove them completely.
With your heart set on this cross, it is imperative to choose a breeder who used a Pekingese parent with a fuller muzzle. Make sure they have proof that a veterinarian has confirmed they don’t have a BOAS.
This will give you the best chance of not bringing a puppy that is suffering from it.
You can find out more about brachycephaly here.
Peekapoo lifespan
Miniature poodles live an average of 14 years. Pekingese can live 1-15 years.
Crossbreed dogs, on average, live a little longer than their purebred cousins, so they can be expected to live at least that long.
Smaller dogs, on average, also live longer than large breeds, so that’s Peekapoo’s as well.
However, if you’re buying a puppy with a brachycephalic face, that life could be filled with discomfort and potentially expensive medical bills.
Peekapoo breeders
As with any designer dog breed, you need to be careful about who you get them from.
If you inquire about the parent’s medical history or have access to parentage information, potential dog parents can make a good decision.
If you have a brachycephalic parent, it is important that you get a health certificate from your veterinarian. Make sure you have evidence that the Pekingese parent does not have a BOAS.
Good breeders have few dogs that live as pets in the household. They should know their owner and name well and have strong family ties.
Tips on avoiding puppy farming can be found here – it’s not always as clear as you might think!
Peekapoo puppies
While peekapoos are a healthy and long-lived breed, buying the wrong kennel could mean trouble on the road.
The Peekapoo cannot be registered with the AKC as it is a mixed breed. However, they can be registered under the name Peke A Poo through the American Hybrid Canine Club.
Peekapoo price
If a price sounds too good to be true, then you should be vigilant and careful about your purchase.
While the occasional someone just might want to find a good home for a peekapoo, you can expect to pay $ 500 to $ 1,500 for a pup.
You’ll also need to add in the cost of receiving your puppy and other medical treatments at the age of 1. Some dog parents choose to have health insurance for their puppy that covers a large portion of these costs and also provides emergency coverage.
If you are buying a puppy who has a brachycephalic parent, health insurance is essential as the chances that he will need veterinary care are high.
The Designer Dog Controversy
The term designer dog sometimes has negative connotations. Sure, there are some dog fashions in the past that have resulted in dogs being placed in shelters when owners realize they are not the dog they expected.
The Peekapoo is a hybrid dog breed that has been around long enough that it cannot be considered a fashion dog or a designer dog.
There is nothing inherently wrong with crossing dogs to create a breed that will bring joy and happiness to new dog patterns, as long as they are not bred in too large numbers to find homes for everyone. Or in the case of worrying health problems. This is the question you need to ask yourself when purchasing a brachycephalic breed puppy.
Is a Peekapoo the right dog for me and my family?
When properly socialized and brought from health-screened parents, the Peekapoo could become an affectionate and fun family pet.
Buying a dog that is even 50% brachycephalic is at great risk.
If your heart is on a peekapoo, make sure you speak to the breeder thoroughly and meet the Pekingese parent. Make sure they have a strong snout and that they have never had surgery or medical intervention if they have respiratory problems.