Peke-A-Chon (Bichon Frise x Pekingese Mix): All You Need to Know

The Peke-A-Chon is a designer dog breed that is a mix between a purebred bichon frise and a purebred Pekingese. The Peke-A-Chon is a friendly dog and a good addition to your family. But is this bichon frise mixed breed right for you?  Before adopting or buying, it’s always wise to do as much research as possible.

Luckily, we have covered all you need to know about the Peke-A-Chon below.

Peke-A-Chon (Bichon Frise x Pekingese Mix): History

The Peke-A-Chon, also known as the Frise Pekingese or the Pekachon, is a relatively recent dog breed. Like most designer dog mixes, the exact origin of the intentional mixing of the frise and Pekingese is unclear. For all that is known, accidental mixes of the two breeds could have existed way back in time.

First-generation Peke-A-Chon hybrids are a 50-50 mix between the parent breeds. Breeders have attempted to breed Peke-A-Chon mixes with the bichon frise or the Pekingese resulting in multi-generation hybrids. This strengthens hybrids’ genetic profile, allowing them to stand as an individual breed.

The Peke-A-Chon was bred in the USA with the increase in the popularity of designer dogs. The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize this breed because it is a mix. However, other reputable dog clubs such as the Dog Registry of America (DRA) give this breed recognition.

The Peke-A-Chon may historically be mysterious, but the breed has an undoubtedly dazzling appearance. So, what does a Peke-A-Chon look like?

Peke-A-Chon Appearance, Coat, Size, and Weight

Peke-A-Chons are mixed breeds that stand to inherit traits from either parent breed. This means the dog will either look more like the bichon frise or the Pekingese parent. They most likely will have floppy ears and shorter noses, like the Pekingese. The constant physical feature for the Peke-A-Chons is that they are small dogs. Most attain adult size at around 8-12 months of age.

A Peke-A-Chon stands at an average height of 7 to 12 inches and weighs approximately 5 to 14 pounds. A puppy is extremely tiny and can even fit in the palm of your hand. It is essential to be careful with these little dogs. Try to avoid bringing puppies into a household with small children to prevent mishandling.

Peke-A-Chons can have fluffy, dense, and curly hair if they take after the frises or long, straight hair typical of Pekingese. These dogs may be hypoallergenic, thanks to the bichon ancestry. Keep in mind that no dog can be fully hypoallergenic, and the peke-a-chons can differ, depending on which type of coat they inherit.

As far as the coloring of this breed goes, these crossbreeds can come either in solid or combination colors of black, gold, cream, or sable. Lighter-colored Peke-A-Chons can have more visible staining beneath the eyes due to tearing. It is important to clean their eyes in these areas to avoid tear stains.

The ears may be small like those of the bichon frise or large, as seen in the Pekingese. These mixes can have shortened muzzles that are observed on their Pekingese parent. They have dark brown eyes, a black nose, and tails that plume over their backs.

Peke-A-Chon Maintenance, Activity, and Space Requirements

Many prospective owners wonder if it takes a lot to own this dog. So is the Peke-A-Chon a high-maintenance dog? From an analysis of the grooming and exercise requirements, the Peke-A-Chon is a relatively low-maintenance dog. Read along to find out more.

Grooming Requirements

These are relatively low shedders, so you can take a little break from your vacuum cleaner. It is important to brush your Peke-A-Chon’s coat at least two times a week or every other day. Regular brushing promotes a shiny coat and prevents matting that happens when loose hair tangles up.

Consistent eye cleaning is required for this breed. The Peke-A-Chon is prone to tearing, which could lead to staining. The last thing you want is for your adorable dog to be walking around with what looks like dirty markings on his face. Ears should be cleaned consistently to avoid any ear infections.

As a small breed, Peke-A-Chons are susceptible to dental problems due to the overcrowding of their teeth. These dental issues could result in health complications such as liver damage. To avoid this, keep brushing your dog’s teeth at least twice a week.

Being a bichon frise descendant, the Peke-A-Chon can have plenty of hair on the face. Get this excess hair trimmed either professionally or at your home every once in a while to avoid blurring your dog’s vision. Nails should be trimmed when they get too long, which is likely when you can hear clicking feet.

Activity Requirements

Bred from two highly active breeds, the Peke-A-Chon is in no way lacking in energy. The good news is that their exercise requirements can be met pretty easily, seeing as they are small dogs. Take your hybrid dog for at least one walk every day or allow a couple of minutes of regular playtime.

Bottled-up energy results in mischief in these tiny dogs, and we’re sure you want a well-behaved pup. Keep him active and engaged, and you will be sure to have a happy dog. If you take your Bichon Yorkie out to the park to play, keep an eye on him as he can take off when unleashed.

Space requirements

The Peke-A-Chon is content with living in small spaces. The small size coupled with minimal energy requirements makes them apartment friendly. If you don’t live in the suburbs or don’t have a yard, this breed is an excellent choice for you.

Be mindful of high environmental temperatures whenever you are out with your Peke-A-Chon, especially during the summer. These dogs are sensitive to heat due to their thick double coat. To avoid heatstroke, have your dog inside with the conditioning or fans on a hot day.

Peke-A-Chon Temperament and Intelligence

These are usually friendly dogs, but do Peke-A-Chons get along with kids? If the bichon frise is the dominant parent, they will do well with kids. If the mix took after the Pekingese, he would be less tolerant of children. Pekingese don’t handle being poked and nudged well and may nip in such circumstances.

These dogs are highly affectionate and loyal to their owners. They may be suspicious of strangers at first, but adequate socialization will see to a quick resolution if this becomes an issue. The same applies to interactions with other pets and animals; they can get along well with adequate socialization.

A Peke-A-Chon may show signs of separation anxiety typical of bichon frises. Get this dog if you will spend a lot of time at home with your dog because he doesn’t tolerate being left alone well. These dogs make excellent watchdogs because they bark quite much and will alert you to intruders.

This hybrid dog is intelligent and takes to training with ease. Peke-A-Chons can get distracted quite easily; therefore, treats and positive reinforcement will help them learn new tricks better. Train your dog as a puppy because he is still impressionable at that age and be sure to keep sessions short.

Peke-A-Chon Health and Lifespan

This crossbreed lives to the ripe age of 11 to 14 years, which is not too far from the parent’s lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Senior dogs need extra care and attention for their aging bodies. Frequent vet visits and proper nutrition are advised for the good health of a senior dog.

Peke-A-Chons are healthy dogs, but which health issues can a Peke-A-Chon have? These are some of the health conditions you need to watch out for in this crossbreed:

• Patellar luxation/slipped kneecap: This condition manifests itself as skipping and limping and may cause lameness.
• Brachycephalic Syndrome: This is common among flat-faced, short-muzzled dogs such as the Pekingese, which is a parent breed of the Peke-A-Chon
• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: This is caused by a temporal disruption of blood in the ball part (femoral head) of the hip joint.
• Skinfold dermatitis: An infection of the pocket between two folds of skin. To combat this, you must dry your Peke-A-Chon thoroughly after bathing him
• Exposure Keratopathy Syndrome: Brown pigmentation occurs across the cornea due to this disease.
• Hip dysplasia: Where the ballpoint part of the upper thighbone isn’t completely covered.
• Dental issues: Overcrowding of teeth in these dogs exposes them to risks of dental issues if oral dental care isn’t provided. Dental issues could lead to serious health problems such as Canine periodontitis.

Other health concerns that are less prevalent among Peke-A-Chons include KCS, Cataract, Hydrocephalus, Eye Disease, Hemophilia, and Urolithiasis. Regular medical checkups will ensure that your Peke-A-Chon is of optimum health, as they will spot health issues when they’re still treatable.

Fun Facts About a Peke-A-Chon

There is more to this feisty fellow other than the heart-melting cuteness. From interesting facts in its history to unique bodily features, this crossbreed is fascinating. Here are some fun facts about the Peke-A-Chon.

The Stolen Dog

The Pekingese, a parent breed of the Peke-A-Chon, was too cute to be left behind by British soldiers during a siege on China. These soldiers stole the breed from the home country, which is China, to the UK in 1860, and the dogs continued to be bred.

Not Your Warm Weather Breed

This designer breed is known to have issues with heat and high humidity. They get extremely uncomfortable when they are in the sun for too long. This happens even though they were bred from the bichon frise believed to have originated from the Mediterranean, a hot place, which is a bit ironic.

The Oldest Dog Parent

One of the pet parents of this hybrid breed, the Pekingese, is believed to have existed for centuries. This granny-aged dog breed originated in ancient China, where they were kept as pets by royalty. Bichon frises were also a favorite among royalty, such as King Henry III. Thus, the Peke-A-Chon is royalty.

Can Easily Be Startled by Loud Noises

These dogs do not shy away from barking, and almost any loud noises will fire up this inbuilt urge to bark. This helps in having a Peke-A-Chon as a watchdog because any suspicious activity will be followed closely by relentless barking.

Is Peke-A-Chon the Right Breed for you?

Now that you know what there is to know about this cross breed, it’s time to decide whether or not it’s the right dog for you. You should get a peke-a-chon if:

• You live in an apartment: These dogs adapt well to apartment living. Their small sizes mean that they don’t have high energy requirements like bigger dogs, making them suitable for living in small spaces. Be keen on training your dog to bark at the right time because some apartments have issues with noise.
• Your household doesn’t have small children: Peke-A-Chons are very fragile dogs that can be harmed by rambunctious children. The Pekingese side of this crossbreed has a low tolerance for children and may nip and bark at them. To be safe, have your dog in the company of older children.
• You live require a a dog that doesn’t need too much exercise: Maybe you are a senior citizen who can’t move about too much but still loves a pet companion. Running around the house will probably tire out these pups and keep them out of trouble.

Conclusion

The Peke-A-Chon is an excellent addition to your family, and the dog will love you just as you will love him. Some of these mixed breeds may be hypoallergenic, if they take after the bichon frise. This is worth keeping in mind if you suffer from allergies.

This a great companion mixed breed with a unique and striking look, if you are looking for an exotic canine to keep you company.