Peekapoos were bred to be companion dogs, they were not used for hunting, tracking, or herding, they were bred to sit on your lap and be your best friend. They are great with other animals and children. If you read the following history of the Pekingese and toy poodle you will get a better idea of why this little dog expects to be treated like royalty, they have all of the royal traits of the pekingese mixed with the intelligence and eager to please attitude of the toy poodle. I breed my peekapoos as first generation dogs meaning a purebred Poodle bred to a purebred pekingese, the first generation dogs are non shedding, second generation dogs (meaning a peekapoo bred to a peekapoo) will shed. Since I use tiny teacup toy pooodles my puppies range from 3-13 lbs full grown, a peekapoo which is the result of a mini poodle bred to a pekingese will be a much bigger dog from 10-25 lbs full grown
The Pekingese Dog: (called the Lion dog) The legend of the lion that fell in love with a marmoset is at the foundation of Pekingese lore. In order for him to be wedded to his lady-love, the lion begged the patron saint of the animals, Ah Chu, to reduce him to the size of a pigmy, but to let him retain his great lion heart and character. The offspring of this union are said to be the dog of Fu Lin, or the Lion Dog of China.
The earliest known record of the Lion Dog is traceable to the Tang Dynasty of the 8th century. Breeding of these little dogs, now called Pekingese, reached a zenith during the Tao Kuang period (1821-1851). However, the oldest strains were kept amazingly pure. Imperial Dog Books, illustrated with pictures of the most admired dogs, were used as the standards. Though records of pedigrees were not kept, breeding was the subject of much thought and many elaborate theories. Prenatal impression was the method most in vogue: mothers were taken several times daily to see pictures and sculpture of the most beautiful dogs. The desired colors for their coats were hung in their sleeping quarters, where they slept on sheepskins to suggest a profuse coat. The characteristics we seek to retain and perfect today were in evidence in these earliest dogs.
In China only the emperor was allowed to own the pekingese dogs, if you were found to have one the penalty was death, the extra small pekes were called Sleeve pekes because the emperor would carry the dogs up his sleeves of the robes, if the dog growled at you , you were beheaded on the spot because the dogs are such a good judge of character if they didn't like you, you were bad. Rather than let the little dogs fall into enemy hands the dogs were killed when the palace was raided.
The breed originated in China in antiquity. Recent DNA analysis confirms that the Pekingese breed is one of the oldest breeds of dog, one of the least genetically diverged from the wolf.[5] For centuries, they could be owned by members of the Chinese Imperial Palace only.
During the Second Opium War, in 1860, the Old Summer Palace in Beijing was occupied by a contingent of British and French troops. The Emperor Xianfeng had fled with all of his court to Chengde. However, an elderly aunt of the emperor remained. When the British and French troops entered, she committed suicide. She was found with her five Pekingese mourning her death. They were removed by the Allies before the Summer Palace was burnt to the ground.[6]
Lord John Hay took a pair, later called Schloff and Hytien, and gave them to his sister, the Duchess of Wellington, wife of Henry Wellesley, 3rd Duke of Wellington. Sir George Fitzroy took another pair, and gave them to his cousins, the Duke and Duchess of Richmond and Gordon. Lieutenant Dunne presented the fifth Pekingese to Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, who named it Looty.[7][8]
So the pekingese breed came about from these 5 little dogs
The Toy Poodle Breed:
The Toy Poodle dog history is basically the same as the Miniature and Standard. They are descendants of continental water dogs known in Europe, particularly in Germany and Russia, dating back to the 1500s. Poodle is German for "to splash around in water, It was popular with the French aristocracy, becoming the national dog of France. Even today, one hears the name French Poodle. The traditional trim had practical reasons, leaving the hair long to protect the heart and chest from cold water, clipping the legs decreased drag while swimming. Following the success of the Miniature Poodle dog, and separate classification by the Kennel Club (UK) in 1910, downsizing the breed picked up momentum. Through the efforts of 20th century breeders in Britain and North America the Toy Poodle really came into its own, being recognized by the AKC in 1943.
Poodles come in three sizes and many colors, but are considered one breed, the Toy being the smallest. Colors include black, blue, brown, apricot, silver and white.
It is friendly, active, intelligent, and clownish, a superb companion enjoying the pampered life. An excellent watchdog when needed, but not given to senseless barking. A Toy Poodle puppy is highly trainable. Its low dander, almost non-shedding coat needs frequent brushing to prevent matting, and makes a good choice for asthma sufferers. The various clips are a matter of taste for the average owner, but if exhibited at dog shows, the clipping rules are explicit, and must be strictly adhered to as per the Breed Standard. Height: 10 in. (25.4 cm) or under, at withers.
Weight: 4-8 lbs. (1.8-3.6 kg).
Watchdog: Excellent
Trainability: High
Life Expectancy: 12 - 14 years.