pekingese

The ancient Chinese had a complicated relationship with dogs. Even though dogs were their earliest domesticated animal, they both revered dogs and used them for work and even for food. The Pekingese, an affectionate, compact toy dog with a rolling gait, was developed for ancient China’s ruling class, dating back to the 8th century and the Tang Dynasty. They were called Lion Dogs, because despite their small size, they are very muscular and are fiercely loyal.  Lion Dogs could be owned only by royals and were kept inside the emperor’s palace. To steal one of these dogs would result in…