Peke-A-Pin

The Miniature Pinscher is a small, elegant toy breed that presents a compact, square-proportioned silhouette with an unmistakable air of self-importance and pride. Standing between 10 and 12.5 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 8 and 10 pounds, this breed displays a well-balanced, sturdy build that belies its diminutive size. The body is compact with a level or slightly sloping topline, and the well-developed chest reaches to the elbows, providing adequate room for heart and lungs. The head is in proportion to the body with a flat skull, strong muzzle, and alert, dark eyes that convey intelligence and curiosity. One of the breed's most distinctive characteristics is its high-stepping hackney gait, reminiscent of a hackney horse, which involves lifting the front feet high with bent wrists before extending them forward. This animated movement gives the Miniature Pinscher an air of great self-assurance as it moves. The ears may be cropped to stand erect or left natural, in which case they are set high and may be erect or folded at the peak. The tail is traditionally docked, though this practice is becoming less common in many countries. The overall appearance should suggest elegance, pride, and fearlessness. The Miniature Pinscher's coat is short, smooth, and lies close to the body with a hard, lustrous texture that requires minimal grooming. Acceptable colors include solid clear red, stag red which features red with intermingled black hairs, black with distinct rust or tan markings, and chocolate with rust or tan markings. The markings should appear above the eyes, on the cheeks, lips, lower jaw, throat, chest, lower half of the forelegs, inside the hind legs, below the hocks, and beneath the tail. White markings exceeding one-half inch in any direction are not desirable in the breed standard. The breed's sleek appearance and animated expression convey an alert, spirited companion ready for action.

The Pekingese is a compact, well-balanced toy dog with a distinctive lion-like appearance that reflects its imperial Chinese heritage spanning over two thousand years. Standing between 6 and 9 inches at the shoulder and typically weighing between 7 and 14 pounds, this breed presents a surprisingly stocky and muscular build beneath its abundant coat. The body is slightly longer than it is tall with a level topline, well-sprung ribs, and a broad chest that contributes to the breed's substantial feel when held. The characteristic rolling gait results from its unique combination of a broad chest, heavier forequarters, and lighter hindquarters, creating dignified movement. Some individuals, known as sleeve Pekingese, weigh under 7 pounds and were historically carried in the flowing sleeves of Chinese royalty. The Pekingese possesses a luxurious double coat that is one of the breed's most striking features. The undercoat is soft, thick, and dense, while the outer coat is coarse, straight, and stands away from the body to create impressive volume. The coat forms an impressive mane around the neck and shoulders, giving the breed its celebrated lion-like appearance. Extensive feathering appears on the ears, legs, tail, and toes, contributing to the breed's opulent presentation. The coat comes in a wide variety of colors including gold, red, sable, black, cream, white, and black-and-tan, as well as various parti-color combinations. All colors are equally acceptable in the breed standard, and many individuals display a distinctive black mask. The breed's flat, brachycephalic face is immediately recognizable, featuring a broad skull, wide-set dark eyes that are large and lustrous, and a short, wrinkled muzzle with a blue-black nose and lips. The facial wrinkles should be evident but not excessive. The large, heart-shaped ears are set high on the head and lie flat against the skull, covered with long feathering that frames the face. The tail is set high and carried curved over the back to either side, heavily plumed with long, flowing hair. The overall expression conveys dignity, self-importance, and confidence befitting the breed's royal ancestry. The Pekingese's unique physical structure requires special attention to grooming, temperature regulation, and care of facial folds.