A mix between a western hound and an eastern royalty, meet the dachshund Pekingese mix puppies – the perfect family pet? This is both a classic and a bizarre crossbreed that hasn’t been recognized officially by most western kennel clubs yet. Still, that doesn’t mean that you can’t take this designer dog home if you’ve found it in a shelter or you know a reputable breeder. Would you want a Pekehund pet, however, or is this dog ill-suited for your home? Let’s find out?
What Do Dachshund Pekingese Mix Puppies Look Like?
A Pekehund can look either like a Pekingese or like a dachshund. Or, it can look like basically anything in between. The coat will be either long, wavy, or short, for example. And the color will be a combination of any of the following colors: brown, black, white, grey, red, sable, fawn, cream, pied, brindle, or Isabella. It can be a single color, or a bi- or tri-color.
The nose and muzzle of the dog can arguably vary the most – it will either be narrow and elongated like that of a dachshund or it will be incredibly short and Brachycephalic like that of the Pekingese. The ears will likely be long and floppy, and the eyes will be round and either brown, hazel, or blue.
Pretty much the only consisted thing about this dog’s appearance is its size – the Pekenund will always be pretty small. Depending on the dachshund parent’s size, a Pekehund will be between 7 and 9 inches tall (18 and 23 cm) and will weigh between 10 and 22 pounds (4.5 and 10 kg). It will also always have short legs and a relatively elongated body.
Read more about Dachshund And Lhasa Apso Mix – A Royal Family Hound
Pekehund Personality, Temperament, And Training
The personality of this crossbreed can also vary but not this much. Both Pekingese and dachshund dogs are incredibly affectionate and loyal to their human parents – so much so that they can even suffer from separation anxiety when you go out without them. Both breeds are also pretty smart and mischievous with the dachshund being somewhat more playful and active.
Both parent breeds can also be a bit stubborn and difficult to train, however, particularly in the potty training department. Obedience training is, therefore, an absolute must with the Pekehund if you want a well-mannered and behaved pet.
One key difference between the two parent breeds is that the Pekingese is more socially aloof than the dachshund and often doesn’t tolerate strangers or other pets. That being said, the dachshund also isn’t the most social dog breed out there so you will need to lean into a lot of socialization early on either way. This will make sure that your pet doesn’t lose its mind when you have guests and it’s ok with other dogs if you ever decide to get a second pet. As far as kids are concerned, however, a well-socialized Pekehund should be perfectly fine with them.
How Much Exercise Does The Pekingese Dachshund Mix Need?
One of the great things about small dogs like the Pekingese and the dachshund is that they don’t need that much exercise. If you’re an outdoorsy person looking for a jogging or hiking companion, this can be a negative. However, if you want a great indoor pet that will be fine with two 30-minutes walks outside per day, the Pekehund is an excellent choice. These dogs don’t even need a yard – although they will appreciate one – as they can get all their other playtime needs satisfied at home.
Learn more about How Much Exercise Does A Dachshund Need And Why?
Pekingese And Dachshund Mix Health And Lifespan?
This is one of the main issues you’ll need to keep an eye on – Pekehunds can be affected by quite a lot of conditions and health problems. This doesn’t change the fact that they have a relatively long lifespan of 12 to 16 years on average. And, with good care, they can live beyond that too!
However, if you want your Pekehund to be healthy and happy during those two decades, you’ll need to watch out for a few possible issues such as:
- Patellar Luxation
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
- Bloating (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus)
- Brachycephalic Syndrome
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Diabetes
- Mitral Valve Disease (MVD)
- Cushing’s Disease
- Eyelid Entropion
Granted, this list can look a bit scary. Don’t think that your Pekehund is guaranteed to be a sickly dog, however. If you’ve taken a healthy pup from a reputable breeder, most of those issues almost certainly won’t occur. Such breeders will always offer health certificates for both the pup they are offering and its parents. Alternatively, if you adopt a Pekehund from an adequate shelter or rescue, they should offer you a detailed medical profile of the dog. With this and with good care, you will likely avoid, prevent, and easily treat most possible health issues.
Pros And Cons Of Dachshund Pekingese Mix Puppies?
Pros
- Small and incredibly cute, this crossbreed has a varying but always unique look
- These are highly loyal and affectionate dogs
- The Pekehund can work in families of all sizes and types
Cons
- Social aloofness may require a lot of socialization
- There are quite a few possible health issues to watch out for
- Separation anxiety is a big factor for this breed
Are Dachshund Pekingese Mix Puppies The Right Pick For You?
The Pekehund is definitely a unique pet. Both its looks and personality can vary a bit but few things are always the case. This dog is small, cute, perfect for apartments, and very affectionate and loyal. This makes the Pekehund great for families in apartments, especially those with small kids, with other pets, or just those that don’t want to spend 2+ hours in the dog park every day.
There are a few things to keep in mind too, however. Namely, you should keep a diligent eye on this dog’s health. You should also make sure that separation anxiety isn’t a problem as these dogs simply don’t know what to do with themselves when they are left home alone. Socialization is also important as Pekingese crossbreeds can be socially aloof but that’s easy to take care of – just make sure your pup meets enough people while it’s still young.
Read more about Dachshund And Cavalier King Charles Mix – A Unique Dashalier Pet