Pekingese Grooming Guide

Coat Overview

The Pekingese Double Coat: Beautiful and Demanding

The Pekingese coat is one of the most dramatic in the dog world — a long, flowing double coat with a coarse outer layer and a dense, soft undercoat, topped by a lion-like mane of heavier fur around the neck and shoulders. Maintaining this coat in full glory is a significant commitment that potential owners must honestly assess before bringing a Peke home.

The double coat sheds heavily year-round, with major coat blows during seasonal changes in spring and fall. Without regular brushing, the undercoat becomes densely matted, particularly in high-friction areas: behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, between the toes, and around the hindquarters. Mats in a Pekingese coat can develop within days of skipped grooming sessions and, if allowed to progress, may require professional dematting or shaving.

Many pet owners choose to have their Peke maintained in a shorter 'puppy clip' or 'teddy cut' — a trim that reduces the coat length to 1 to 2 inches all over, making brushing much more manageable. This eliminates the need for daily brushing and significantly reduces shedding, though it does remove the breed's show coat appearance. For the average pet owner with limited grooming time, a puppy clip is a perfectly valid and humane choice.

Whether kept in full coat or a puppy clip, the Peke's facial skin folds require daily maintenance that is entirely separate from coat care. This is a non-negotiable health requirement regardless of coat length choices.

Grooming Routine

Brushing, Bathing, and Facial Fold Care

Brushing (Full Coat — Daily to Every Other Day): Use a pin brush for the long outer coat and a slicker brush or shedding rake for the dense undercoat. Part the coat in sections and work from the skin outward — never brush just the surface of the coat, as this misses the undercoat where mats form. Use a wide-tooth comb to follow up, working through the entire coat to check for tangles. Ear fringes, chest ruff, armpit areas, and the fur between the hindquarters require extra attention.

When encountering a mat, do not pull through it. Hold the hair above the mat with your fingers to prevent skin pulling, apply a dematting spray, and work through the mat from the edges toward the center with a mat splitter or your fingers. Severe mats may need to be cut out — a dematting comb can split large mats into smaller, manageable sections.

Brushing (Puppy Clip — 2 to 3 Times Per Week): With a shorter trim, brushing becomes much more manageable. A slicker brush used 2 to 3 times per week is typically sufficient to prevent tangles and manage shedding in a clipped Peke.

Bathing (Every 4–6 Weeks): Use a dog shampoo formulated for thick or double coats. Fully saturate the coat before applying shampoo — the dense undercoat resists water penetration. Massage shampoo thoroughly through both the outer coat and undercoat. Rinse extremely thoroughly — residue in a Peke's thick coat can cause skin irritation and odor. A conditioning rinse after shampooing helps detangle and adds shine. Blow-dry on low heat while brushing, as air-drying a fully coated Peke can take many hours and the damp undercoat can develop odor and skin issues.

Facial Fold Cleaning (Daily): This is the most critical daily health maintenance task for the Pekingese. Use a soft, dry cloth or fragrance-free baby wipe to clean inside each facial wrinkle, including the nose roll (the prominent fold above the muzzle) and around the eyes. Moisture, food residue, and tears trapped in skin folds become breeding grounds for yeast and bacteria. Signs of skin fold infection include redness, discharge, odor, and the dog pawing at his face. If an infection develops, veterinary treatment is needed.

Eye Care: Wipe the eye area gently with a soft, damp cloth daily. The prominent eyes are susceptible to corneal scratches and irritation from the coat. Check daily for redness, discharge, cloudiness, or any sign of discomfort. Any unusual eye symptoms warrant same-day veterinary attention in a brachycephalic breed.

Nail Trimming (Every 3–4 Weeks): Pekes grow nails quickly. Overgrown nails cause discomfort and can affect the already-characteristic gait. Use a small dog clipper or grinder.

Dental Care (Daily): The shortened jaw causes significant tooth crowding. Daily brushing with a finger brush and dog toothpaste is essential. Professional dental cleanings every 1 to 2 years are typically necessary.

Special Considerations

Puppy Clip, Professional Grooming, and Heat Management

Professional Grooming: Many Pekingese owners use professional groomers every 6 to 8 weeks for bathing, brushing out, nail trimming, and trimming. A professional who is experienced with Peke coats can also keep the coat in a tidy puppy clip, making home maintenance much more manageable between appointments. Budget $55 to $100 per grooming session depending on your area and the dog's coat condition.

The Puppy Clip: A puppy clip trims the entire coat to a uniform 1 to 2 inch length. It dramatically reduces brushing time, reduces shedding, and improves comfort in warm weather. The only 'downside' is that it removes the classic full-coat show appearance. For the vast majority of pet owners, the puppy clip is a practical, sensible choice that improves the dog's quality of life and the owner's grooming experience.

Between-the-Toe Hair: The Peke grows long hair between the toes that can mat and collect debris. Trim this hair flush with the paw pad every 4 to 6 weeks to prevent matting and maintain comfortable, sure footing.

Coat Changes with Season: Pekingese undergo major coat sheds (blowing coat) twice yearly, typically in spring and fall. During these periods, daily brushing with an undercoat rake is necessary to manage the volume of shed undercoat. A professional deshedding treatment during these periods can significantly reduce the volume of loose coat.

Temperature Management During Grooming: Always keep the grooming area cool when working on a Pekingese. Blow-drying with hot air can quickly cause overheating in a brachycephalic dog. Use cool or low-warm settings only, and watch for signs of respiratory distress (heavy panting, blue-tinged gums) which require immediate cooling and veterinary attention.