The Pekingese is a toy breed originally from China. They were bred to have legs that were "knuckled over" so that they could not travel fast and therefore could not run away. The Chinese Buddhist Monks were especially fond of the Pekingese. Like other ancient dog breeds, they were a Chinese secret. They were a Chinese dog, and only a Chinese dog. Generally they were owned only by royalty and the monks, common folk did not have Pekingese. At some point the breed was stolen from China and spread like a wildfire. English royalty at the time loved the "Lion Dog" and treasured it.
