Pekingese breed of toy dog developed in ancient China, where
 they were developed to be small, portable, and good-natured,
 the sort of dog that ladies of the court could carry with them.

    The Pekingese has been known, both in the Orient and in the 
West, as the "lion dog"--presumably because of its appearance,
although it is also acclaimed as having a lionlike independence 
and courage.

    The celebrated "sleeve dogs" are very small Pekingese once 
carried by Chinese royalty in the sleeves of their robes. They 
were held sacred and were kept as a palace dog by members 
of the Imperial family. No one else was permitted to own one of 
these breeds. They were carefully bred and nurtured, and until 
the mid-20th century and they were not allowed to be exported 
out of their countries of origin.

    It was introduced to the West by English forces that looted the 
Imperial Palace at  Peking in 1860. 
 
    A long-haired dog, the Pekingese stands about 6 to 9 inches
(15 to 23 centimetres) and weighs up to about 14 pounds 
(6.5 kilograms), The Pekingese has a full mane and heavily haired
thighs, forelegs, tail, and toes. Its head is broad and flat, with 
hanging ears and a short, wrinkled muzzle. The coat may be solid 
or variegated in color, but there is always a black mask across 
the face.