“Pekingese Chihuahua Mix”
Also known as Cheeks, Pek-a-chi, Pee-chi, Pekachu, and Pikachu, the Pekachi is a cross between two old companion dog breeds from two continents: the Pekingese from China, and Mexico’s Chihuahua. The designer breed is a loving and loyal companion that isn’t high maintenance, and doesn’t need a lot of space to stay happy and healthy.
Fairly quiet, a daily walk and some playtime is all the Pekachi needs to expend his energy for the day. Thus, he is the ideal for small apartment dwellers or those with limited mobility. If you are looking for a running or jogging buddy, or you have very young children, the Pekachi may not be the best pet for your family. Early socialization, however, can help address the issue.
Parents
- The Chihuahua – First seen in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, the short-haired version of the breed with the same name was discovered during the 1850s. Two theories exist as to the breed’s origin.
The first theory is that the Chihuahua was the product of breeding local pooches with China’s small hairless dogs brought by Spanish traders. The other theory claims that the Chihuahua descended from the South and Central American dog called Techichi that traces its origins from the 9th century.
The Chihuahua reached American shores at the turn of the century, and was first listed with the AKC in 1904. The short-haired dog was bred with Pomeranians or Papillons that produced the long-haired variety. The breed has since become quite popular.
The Chihuahua today is known as a confident, daring, alert, and brave dog. He often bonds closely with only a single person. In his craving for attention and affection, he can sometimes be very sensitive and demanding. He is not particularly great with kids, in particular, the smaller ones.
- The Pekingese – The breed from China is believed to be more than 2000 years old. The Pekingese boasts of a beautiful story of his beginnings. According to tales, a lion fell in love with a marmoset, then requested Buddha to make him smaller, but still with a big character and heart. This way, the lovers could stay together. Buddha granted the lion’s wish, and the union brought forth the lion dogs that were later named after the Chinese capital, then known as Peking.
The Pekingese were supposed to just stay in the palace. However, during the Opium War with Great Britain, they were brought to England, where they became highly-prized. They were initially considered as rare dogs, but soon became quite popular and prevalent. They spread to America during the early part of the 20th century.
Usually confident and brave, the small dog can have a stubborn streak. The Pekingese exudes a dignified demeanor, probably because of his proud history. He believes that he indeed deserves all the devotion and attention.
The Pekingese breed today is a loyal and protective dog. He needs positive but firm training methods. You can teach him to obey your every command by making him think that it’s also what he wants all along.
Appearance
Both the parent breeds stand barely a foot tall, and usually weigh only 9 lbs. or less. The result of their crossbreeding is expectedly a very small dog in the Pekachi. The adult Pekachi has an average height of 10 to 14 inches, and weighs no more than 9 lbs.
He may either have the Chihuahua’s dome-like head or a flat, broad skull similar to that of a Pekingese. The muzzle is often short and broad like his Pekingese parent or short, narrow, and tapered similar to the Chihuahua. The eyes are round, dark, and prominent, but does not bulge. His ears are situated high on his head, and may be either triangular or heart-shaped. They may stand away from his head or fold to the sides or front.
He may sometimes have a single-layer coat. But, he often has two layers of coat with a thick undercoat beneath a stronger and longer fur that may be soft or coarse, depending on the parent breed he takes after. Most Pekachis have feathering around the tail, feet, and ears.
Life Expectancy
On average, you can expect to enjoy your Pekachi’s devotion and love anywhere from 10 to 14 years. You can help him live longer by providing him with enough tender loving care.
Behavior
The Cheeks is amusing, friendly, and outgoing with his humans. However, he can be quite shy when exposed to strangers. He doesn’t usually experience separation anxiety, but he enjoys snuggling on your lap the most. After all, he is known as a lap dog.
In general, he gets along well with other dogs, and unlike other breeds, he is not fond of running after smaller animals. Like other small dogs, he can be very fragile. Thus, any interaction with bigger animals or small children must be under close supervision. While they are rather tolerant and more patient with older kids when it comes to their handling, they can be quite nippy when not gently handled.
It is important to socialize the hybrid early to fix potential behavioral problems like extreme timidity, aggression, and small dog syndrome. Training is best done early since the pooch can sometimes be stubborn, and training can be more difficult the older he gets.
Ideal Environment
The Pekachi would make the ideal companion for less active people. He can also do well in a small apartment without a backyard. After all, he can get his physical activity needs indoors, with short walks daily.
Diet
Your Pekachi would only need to be fed with ¼ to ½ cup of high quality dry dog food each day. Just divide his food into 2 meals within the day, and make sure that he gets enough nutrients in his meals to keep him healthy and strong.
Exercise
As a slightly active pooch, your Pekachi dog would not require a lot of effort from you to keep him happy and in good physical shape. His indoor playtime already contributes to his exercise needs, and you can fill it by taking him out for a daily short walk. Thus, you won’t need a yard to keep him happy. Occasionally taking him to a dog park to socialize with other dogs would also be nice.
Training
Like his Chihuahua and Pekingese parents, the Pee-chi can sometimes make training sessions challenging by being stubborn. Thus, you are in a better place if you are an experienced pet parent instead of a first-time owner trying to handle your dog in a wise and firm way.
- Obedience Training – This is important to keep you puppy’s stubborn nature under check. Familiarize him with different commands like come, stop, and sit, among others.
For example, if he already knows how to stay with his leash on, try bending down to his level then say “come,” at the same time gently tugging on his leash. As he comes to you, reward him with his favorite treat.
- Socialization Training – Make him experience both good and bad things by exposing him to the world outside. Take him shopping with you, or bring him to a park where he can meet people and other pets. By letting him interact with the outside world, he can become familiar with various experiences.
Grooming
The Pekachi needs low to moderate grooming. While his coat may vary, depending on the inherited traits from his parent breeds, he is often an average shedder. Daily brushing will get rid of matting and loose hair, and will help distribute the oils on his skin throughout the body, resulting to an overall healthier coat.
Refrain from bathing him too frequently as it will take his natural oils away. Giving him a bath each time he looks dirty or when he smells is enough. Brushing his teeth twice or more a week is enough to address his oral needs. Clean and wipe his ears weekly.
When you notice his nails click as he walks, it is a sign that his nails have grown too long and must be clipped. If you don’t know how to clip his nails properly, let your vet or a professional groomer do it for you.
Health Concerns
The Pekachi can inherit the health concerns his parent breeds are prone to. These include hypoglycaemia, patellar luxation, IVDD, heart problems, cleft palate, Brachycephalic Syndrome, eye problems, Hydrocephalus, open fontanel, collapsed trachea, cryptorchidism, fold dermatitis, and shivering.
Before taking the puppy home for the first time, assess the breeder’s skills in terms of looking after the kennel. Request to see the parents’ health clearances. This way, you can be sure that both parents are healthy, and your puppy will likely be healthy too.
Where to Look for a Pekachi
Adopting a Pekachi, or any breed for that matter, requires a lot of consideration. While you need to find the ideal puppy for you and your family, it is just as important to find a reputable breeder.
For this purpose, you can browse through online breeder referral listings. You can then connect with experienced and reputable breeders near you. Suggestions from representatives of affiliated clubs may also help.
You can observe a number of Pekachis all in one place in dog shows and similar events that feature designer breeds. Try to attend such events, and approach the various breeders to find out if they can provide you with the puppy you need.
From the breeder, you can request the names of some people they sold puppies to. Talk to these new Pekachi owners, and ask how their own experience with the breeder was.
Reputable breeders raise their litter in a healthy environment. They provide their puppies with enough care, medical attention, and exercise. The ideal breeder should patiently field your questions and concerns regarding dog training, breeding, housekeeping, health, or competition.
Conclusion
The Pekachi is a lively and attractive small dog that makes a great companion and lap dog. He is suitable for small apartment living, and as pet for less active people. You don’t have to clean up a lot after him as he doesn’t shed a lot. He can be shy with strangers, but this can be easily fixed with early training and socialization.
Love him, and take good care of him by providing for all his needs. In return, he will love you back unconditionally.