Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Pekingeses Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Pekingeses Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Pekingeses Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Pekingeses Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Pekingeses Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Pekingeses Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Pekingeses Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Pekingeses Easy to Train?
- Do Pekingeses Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Pekingeses Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Pekingeses have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Pekingeses Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Pekingeses Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Pekingeses Playful? What is the Energy Level of Pekingeses
- Conclusion on Pekingese Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Pekingese
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Pekingese out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Pekingese based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Pekingese breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Pekingese by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Pekingese.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Pekingese for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Pekingese.
The summary table below shows the score of the Pekingese for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Dog Rivalry | 85.0 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 79.9 percent |
| Dog Directed Aggression | 72.3 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 71.3 percent |
| Stubbornness | 67.5 percent |
| Excitability | 63.4 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 57.8 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 55.0 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 43.4 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 42.7 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 35.8 percent |
| Prey Drive | 30.9 percent |
| Energy Level | 18.2 percent |
| Owner Directed Aggression | 100.0 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Pekingese`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Pekingese, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Pekingese.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Pekingeses Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Pekingeses are very much aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Pekingese ranks very high for aggression towards strangers.
The Pekingese ranks number 8 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the temperament of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 71.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much aggressive towards strangers just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Miniature Schnauzer | 79.1 % |
| 6 | Australian Silky Terrier | 74.1 % |
| 7 | Belgian Malinois | 72.5 % |
| 8 | Pekingese | 71.3 % |
| 9 | Chinese Shar-Pei | 68.5 % |
| 10 | Chihuahua | 67.8 % |
| 11 | Parson Russell Terrier | 64.3 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Pekingeses Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Pekingeses are very much aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Pekingese ranks very high for aggression towards its owner.
The Pekingese ranks number 1 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the temperament of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has an owner-directed-aggression score of 100.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much owner-aggressive just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pekingese | 100.0 % |
| 2 | Basenji | 84.3 % |
| 3 | Australian Silky Terrier | 66.0 % |
| 4 | Lhasa Apso | 64.0 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Pekingeses Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Pekingeses are very much aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Pekingese ranks very high for aggression towards other dogs.
The Pekingese ranks number 12 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the temperament of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has a dog-directed aggression score of 72.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much dog-aggressive just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Miniature Schnauzer | 75.1 % |
| 10 | Australian Silky Terrier | 74.9 % |
| 11 | Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) | 73.0 % |
| 12 | Pekingese | 72.3 % |
| 13 | Chihuahua | 71.8 % |
| 14 | Fox Terrier (Smooth) | 70.3 % |
| 15 | Pit Bull | 69.7 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Pekingeses Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Pekingeses are very much fearful of strangers.
This is because the Pekingese ranks very high for fear of strangers.
The Pekingese ranks number 24 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the temperament of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has a stranger-directed-fear score of 42.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much stranger-fearful just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Saint Bernard | 44.7 % |
| 22 | Shetland Sheepdog | 44.0 % |
| 23 | Afghan Hound | 43.1 % |
| 24 | Pekingese | 42.7 % |
| 25 | Alaskan Husky | 42.6 % |
| 26 | Mastiff (English) | 42.1 % |
| 27 | Cocker Spaniel (English) | 42.1 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Pekingeses Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Pekingeses are quite a bit fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Pekingese ranks high for fear of other dogs.
The Pekingese ranks number 26 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the temperament of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has a dog-directed-fear score of 55.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit other-dog-fearful just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Saint Bernard | 56.8 % |
| 24 | Yorkshire Terrier | 56.6 % |
| 25 | English Springer Spaniel | 55.0 % |
| 26 | Pekingese | 55.0 % |
| 27 | Australian Kelpie | 54.3 % |
| 28 | Australian Silky Terrier | 53.6 % |
| 29 | Bichon Frise | 53.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Pekingeses Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Pekingeses are somewhat fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Pekingese ranks average for non-social fear.
The Pekingese ranks number 49 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the temperament of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has a nonsocial-fear score of 35.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat nonsocial-fearful just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 37.2 % |
| 47 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 36.6 % |
| 48 | West Highland White Terrier | 36.5 % |
| 49 | Pekingese | 35.8 % |
| 50 | Ibizan Hound | 35.7 % |
| 51 | Boston Terrier | 35.6 % |
| 52 | Poodle (Miniature) | 35.6 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Pekingeses Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Pekingeses are very much competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Pekingese ranks very high on dog rivalry.
The Pekingese ranks number 7 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the temperament of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has a dog-rivalry score of 85.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much competition-driven just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | French Bulldog | 90.6 % |
| 5 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 89.3 % |
| 6 | Lhasa Apso | 85.6 % |
| 7 | Pekingese | 85.0 % |
| 8 | Chinese Crested | 81.6 % |
| 9 | Basenji | 79.7 % |
| 10 | Alaskan Malamute | 77.4 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Pekingeses Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Pekingeses are not easy to train.
This is because the Pekingese ranks very low for trainability.
The Pekingese ranks number 120 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the trainability of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has a trainability score of 32.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are not easy to train just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 117 | Basset Hound | 34.8 % |
| 118 | Australian Silky Terrier | 34.1 % |
| 119 | Dachshund (Miniature) | 32.8 % |
| 120 | Pekingese | 32.5 % |
| 121 | Afghan Hound | 30.7 % |
| 122 | Basenji | 17.1 % |
| 123 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 14.9 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the Pekingese is and how the intelligence of the Pekingese affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Pekingese is.
Do Pekingeses Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Pekingeses are a little bit into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Pekingese ranks low for small-pet-chasing.
The Pekingese ranks number 96 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the temperament of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has a chasing score of 30.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit into chasing after smaller pets just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 93 | Maltese | 34.1 % |
| 94 | Lhasa Apso | 33.8 % |
| 95 | Border Collie | 32.5 % |
| 96 | Pekingese | 30.9 % |
| 97 | Golden Retriever | 30.7 % |
| 98 | Belgian Sheepdog | 30.6 % |
| 99 | Labrador Retriever | 30.5 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Pekingeses Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Pekingeses are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Pekingese ranks low for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Pekingese ranks number 84 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the temperament of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 43.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 81 | Beagle | 44.9 % |
| 82 | Papillon | 44.2 % |
| 83 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 43.7 % |
| 84 | Pekingese | 43.4 % |
| 85 | Lagotto Romagnolo | 42.2 % |
| 86 | Bouvier des Flandres | 41.8 % |
| 87 | Anatolian Shepherd | 41.2 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Pekingeses have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Pekingeses are very much prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Pekingese ranks very high for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Pekingese ranks number 16 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the temperament of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has a separation anxiety score of 57.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Weimaraner | 63.6 % |
| 14 | Fox Terrier (Toy) | 62.0 % |
| 15 | Beagle | 62.0 % |
| 16 | Pekingese | 57.8 % |
| 17 | Pit Bull | 57.5 % |
| 18 | Cocker Spaniel (English) | 57.4 % |
| 19 | Old English Sheepdog | 57.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Pekingeses Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Pekingeses are very much touch-sensitive.
This is because the Pekingese ranks very high for touch sensitivity.
The Pekingese ranks number 3 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the temperament of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has a touch-sensitivity score of 79.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much touch-sensitive just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fox Terrier (Toy) | 100.0 % |
| 2 | Miniature Pinscher | 82.6 % |
| 3 | Pekingese | 79.9 % |
| 4 | Australian Silky Terrier | 75.6 % |
| 5 | Chihuahua | 67.5 % |
| 6 | Fox Terrier (Smooth) | 64.8 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Pekingeses Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Pekingeses are very much hyper (excitable).
This is because the Pekingese ranks very high for excitability.
The Pekingese ranks number 10 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the temperament of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has an excitability score of 63.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much excitable just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Poodle (Miniature) | 69.4 % |
| 8 | Poodle (Toy) | 67.1 % |
| 9 | Old English Sheepdog | 65.0 % |
| 10 | Pekingese | 63.4 % |
| 11 | West Highland White Terrier | 62.8 % |
| 12 | Vizsla | 62.7 % |
| 13 | Miniature Pinscher | 62.3 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Pekingeses Playful? What is the Energy Level of Pekingeses
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Pekingeses are not energetic.
This is because the Pekingese ranks very low for energy level.
The Pekingese ranks number 120 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 14 Pekingese owners reported on the temperament of their Pekingese in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pekingese has an energy-level score of 18.2 %.
Other dog breeds that are not energetic just like the Pekingese are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 117 | Italian Greyhound | 23.6 % |
| 118 | Eurasier | 23.1 % |
| 119 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 19.7 % |
| 120 | Pekingese | 18.2 % |
| 121 | Great Pyrenees | 17.1 % |
| 122 | Greyhound | 11.7 % |
| 123 | Anatolian Shepherd | 9.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Pekingese Temperament
The temperament of your Pekingese comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Pekingese is exposed to.
You cannot change your Pekingese`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Pekingese to.
Exposing your Pekingese to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Pekingese to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Pekingese`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Pekingese.
If you think the Pekingese is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Pekingeses cost and Pekingese puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Pekingese breeders in the United States and the prices of their Pekingese puppies.