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Peke-A-Boo (Pekingese & Bolognese Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Peke-A-Boo (Pekingese & Bolognese Mix)

Height: 6-9 inches
Weight: 8-14 pounds
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Colors: Brown, black, white, fawn
Suitable for: Apartment dwellers, those seeking companionship, those who can dedicate time to extensive grooming
Temperament: Loyal, Loving, Intelligent, Feisty, Noisy, Curious

One of the newest designer dogs around is the Peke-A-Boo. It’s a cross between the regal Pekingese and the aristocratic Bolognese. And the Peke-A-Boo takes its noble lineage to heart. It’s a feisty, little pup that carries an heir of superiority in stark contrast to its diminutive size.

But that doesn’t mean they’re all snoot.

They are fiercely loyal companions to their owners and will love you until the bitter end. While they’re not the ideal family dog due primarily to their devotion to a sole master, an elderly individual living alone may find perfect company and solace in these little buggers.

Divider 1Peke-A-Boo Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

Before you jump headfirst into the responsibilities of being a Peke-A-Boo parent, there are a few things you’ll need to understand. First, these pups have no chill when it comes to getting your attention. And when they want it, they’ll exhaust every tool at their disposal to get it. This includes being mischievous, barking, and even nipping.

Peke-A-Boos have personalities that will easily take over any room and that’s the way they like it.

They’re also far from a low-maintenance pooch, requiring daily brushing to prevent matting and damaged hair. You’ll also need to be hypervigilant when it comes to keeping their face skin folds clean.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Peke-A-Boo

1. The Peke-A-Boo is very closely related to wolves.

Although it may not look it, the Peke-A-Boo maintains a very close relationship to its wolf ancestors—DNA-wise anyway. That comes from the Pekingese side whose DNA hasn’t changed very much over time.

2. The Peke-A-Boo is an American breed.

Both parent breeds are not natively from North America, making this pup a first-generation American.

3. The Peke-A-Boo can carry signature Pekingese features.

This breed can have several distinct trademarks of the Pekingese including their flat face, skin folds, and underbite. They also tend to have the dominant Pekingese personality, making them wonderful companions and excellent watchdogs.

Parent Breeds of the Peke-A-Boo
Image Credit: (L) T.Den_Team, Shutterstock | (R) Wirestock Creators

Divider 3

Temperament & Intelligence of the Peke-A-Boo 🧠

If you’re looking for a companion to snuggle up with you and stick by your side no matter what, this breed is an excellent choice. They’ll be fiercely devoted and loyal to you and dedicate their time to receiving your undivided praise and attention. But that doesn’t mean they’ll do the same for everyone. There’s a good chance you’re the only one they’ll truly love.

The Peke-A-Boo is a relatively intelligent dog, which makes it seem like they’re easy to train. However, such is not the case. They like to do things their way or no way at all. So, you’ll have to get used to having a diva around the house.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Unfortunately, the Peke-A-Boo isn’t the best family dog. Their loyal devotion to a singular member of the family doesn’t often extend to everyone else. There’ll generally be just one person they’ll attach to and that’s that. Plus, they don’t have too much patience for children. And they will get a bit nippy if pushed to the limit.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

No, not normally. And that’s because they’re just too dominant of a personality. Sharing you and your love with another is usually completely out of the question. They’re the epitome of a companion dog. They’ll seldom leave your side if given the chance and will keep you as their well-guarded treasure.

Divider 4Things to Know When Owning a Peke-A-Boo:

Once you’ve determined that the Peke-A-Boo is the right pup for you, there are some basics you should understand. They’re not entirely like other small dogs and have special considerations you’ll have to make—particularly with health and grooming.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Feeding your Peke-A-Boo is one of the easiest and cheapest parts of owning one. Since they’re so small, they don’t require a lot of food per day. In fact, one cup of food should be more than adequate for their daily intake.

This means that you can probably afford to splurge on higher quality dog food. We recommend a little bites formula such as Blue Buffalo Small Bite Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe. It’s from their Life Protection line and provides everything that your little tyke would need including omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin. This is exceptionally important as the Peke-A-Boo has a higher tendency for skin and allergy issues.

Exercise 🐕

Being such a small dog, the Peke-A-Boo has bouts of explosive energy, and you may catch them having a case of the zoomies every once in and awhile. However, that energy is often short-lived. They only need about 25 minutes of exercise every day. And then it’s back to the couch or your lap.

This makes them excellent dogs for apartment dwellers. They don’t need too much room to maneuver and a brief walk to stretch their legs and relieve themselves is more than enough daily exercise.

pekeaboo
Image Credit: 1, 2.

Training 🦮

While these little buggers are quite intelligent, they’re not the easiest dogs to train. And that’s because of their independent streaks and superiority complexes. They’ll get the job done, but they’ll do it their way or no way at all.

However, training is extremely important for this breed especially when it comes to early socialization. Peke-A-Boos tend to be rather yappy and may require a firm hand when it comes to enforcing a calmer demeanor. Also, they will nip at individuals they don’t trust, like, or have simply lost the patience for. Early socialization with other people and pets can help to curb this behavior.

Grooming ✂️

Perhaps the most difficult about owning a Peke-A-Boo is keeping up with their grooming and maintenance. They have a long, shiny silky coat. And if you want to keep it that way, daily brushing is highly recommended. The Peke-A-Boo also has skin folds on its face inherited from the Pekingese line which can harbor bacteria and other nasty substances.

These skin folds need to be cleaned very regularly to keep your dog healthy and allergy-free. Also, the Peke-A-Boo can shed heavily depending on which parent it takes after the most. Bolognese dogs are hypoallergenic and great for allergy sufferers; however, the Pekingese is not and may cause issues.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Being a hybrid designer dog, the Peke-A-Boo is subject to a large number of health conditions. They’re not necessarily the healthiest dog around as they can inherit diseases or conditions from either parent. As your Peke-A-Boo ages, you’re going to want to bring them into the vet’s office for executive checkups and testing.

They’re also at risk for brachycephalic conditions and skin fold issues due to the flat-faced nature of the Pekingese inside them. These could range anywhere from skin allergies to full-fledged breathing complications.

Minor Conditions
Serious Conditions
  • Entropion
  • Patellar luxation
  • Cataracts
  • Skin fold dermatitis
  • Brachycephalic conditions
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
  • Exposure keratopathy syndrome
  • Progressive retinal atrophy

Divider 5Male vs Female

There is a slight difference in size between the sexes with the males being slightly larger with a wider gait. However, it’s the females of the breed that have much bigger personalities. They’ll become your little princess and be sure to let everyone know who the boss of the house is.

Divider 3Final Thoughts

Choosing the right pup can be a very difficult process—especially if you’re looking for one that you can lean on for support and companionship. And while small in stature, the Peke-A-Boo is an emotional giant with an enormous personality. They’ll be completely devoted and loyal to you without hesitation. However, they can take that duty a bit too far on occasion.

They’re also wonderful pups to keep in an apartment or small living space as they don’t need much room. And they also require minimal exercise, which makes them great for those with mobility issues. But what exercise requirements they lack, they more than make up for when it comes to grooming.

So, if you’re looking for a lap dog to pamper endlessly that’ll love you just as fiercely back, the Peke-A-Boo might be the right pup for you.

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Featured Image Credit to Pixabay

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