Is 1000 Yuan a Reasonable Price for a Pekingese?

A Pekingese for 1000 yuan is considered quite inexpensive, potentially indicating it's not purebred, has poor conformation, or may have underlying health issues.

Typical Pricing of Pekingese

Generally, the dogs sold in pet stores are acquired at a lower price. Although sellers often claim the dogs are purebred, their lineage is often not very good and they could be mixed breeds. For truly purebred Pekingese with excellent bloodlines, prices can easily exceed 10,000 yuan. In pet stores, Pekingese are usually priced between 1500 and 3000 yuan.

Understanding the Pekingese Breed

The official name for the Pekingese is actually the 'Peking Lion Dog.' It's commonly known as 'Jing Ba' or 'Lion' due to its short, wide muzzle resembling a lion's. The 'Peking' prefix is because this breed is unique to Beijing and was historically not bred outside of the region. This breed is very popular in China and widely known as 'Jing Ba.' Historical records suggest that the breed existed as early as the Tang Dynasty, around 1300 years ago. At that time, only the imperial family had the privilege of owning them, with common people forbidden from doing so. The high prices of these dogs, in reality, made them inaccessible to most common families. The exclusivity of the Pekingese to the aristocracy limited its chances of crossbreeding with other breeds, maintaining the purity of the line.

Factors Affecting Pekingese Price

Several factors can influence the price of a Pekingese puppy. These include:

  • Pedigree and Bloodline: Puppies with well-documented pedigrees and champion bloodlines will command a higher price.
  • Conformation: Puppies that closely adhere to the breed standard in terms of physical characteristics (size, coat, facial features) are more valuable.
  • Health: A puppy that has undergone health screenings and comes from a healthy lineage can cost more.
  • Breeder Reputation: Responsible and ethical breeders who invest in the health and well-being of their dogs will generally charge more for their puppies.