Peka-A-West -- Pekingese X West Highland White Terrier

		Peka-A-West
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			China <> Scotland -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Peka-A-West

The Peka-A-West is the offspring of two very different miniature breeds: the West Highland White Terrier, also known as the Westie, and the Pekingese. The combination of these two parent breeds creates a well-tempered, moderately active hybrid dog, known for being intelligent, affectionate and somewhat defensive. That said, they are eager to please and respond well to obedience training. Peka-A-Wests weigh only 3.6 to 7 kilos and measure 20.5 to 25.5 centimeters. They are well established among designer breeds, particularly in the USA. However, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club and can still vary to some extent in temperament and appearance.

History of the Peka-A-West

The Peka-A-West's parent breeds, the West Highland White Terrier and the Pekingese, migrated to the U.S.A. at the turn of the 19th century and were recognized less than a year after each other by the American Kennel Club. It is assumed that the Peka-A-West, an established American designer breed, was born shortly afterwards in the first half of the 1900s. Westies and Pekingese, however, come from very different backgrounds.

	A little of the Pekingese
	The Pekingese, sometimes called "The Lion Dog", originated in ancient China, where popular legend has it that a lion fell in love with a marmoset and asked the gods to make him smaller so that he could marry his little bride. The gods agreed, and the result was a little dog with the heart of a lion. Complete breeding records for Pekingese prior to the 20th century remain scarce, however, we do know that these dogs were treasured pets in China for centuries, particularly among the royal family. In fact, the famous ruler, Empress Dowager Cixi, began giving the little puppies to foreign diplomats as gifts, leading to the breed's rise in popularity around the world from the late 1800's. They were particularly beloved in the USA and were recognized by the AKC in 1909.

	Standard of the Pekingese
	A little of the West Highland White Terrier
	Westies originated in Scotland in the 16th century, during the reign of King James I. They were bred to hunt game. They were bred to hunt small to medium-sized vermin, including foxes, rats and badgers. These dogs may have come in many colors at the time of their formation, but today they exist only in a pure white variety. The history of the Scottish Terrier is complex and intertwined, so much so that the Westie was known by several other names throughout its history, including White Scottish, Little Skye, Cairn and Roseneath, many of which are now considered separate strands of the Terrier classes. In fact, the Westie was registered by the AKC as Roseneath in 1908. The following year, however, the name was changed to West Highland White Terrier.

	Standard of the West Highland White Terrier

Appearance of the Peka-A-West

Peka-A-Wests grow to just 3.6 to 7 kilos and 20.5 to 25.5 centimeters in height, so they're a small, compact breed with a balanced blend of characteristics from their parent breeds. They look very much like smaller Westies, with darker coloring and certain Pekinese facial features, such as a relatively short muzzle and wide-set eyes. Note, however, that this hybrid also has small, high ears and separate hairs on the muzzle like a Westie. Apart from that, Peka-A-Wests have delicate but heavily padded paws and a medium-length, well-coated tail. The coat is medium to long and fairly dense.

Temperament of the Peka-A-West

The combination of Westie and Pekingese creates a well-balanced dog that is both alert and calm, active and relaxed, intelligent and affectionate. He develops strong bonds with family members and enjoys the company of people, both adults and children. Unlike some other Pekingese mixes, the Peka-A-West is exceptionally active due to its Terrier heritage. Nevertheless, it is not hyperactive, thanks to the calming effects of the discreet Pekinese personality. It can be a relatively easy dog to train due to its intelligence and tendency to seek affirmation from its owners. This trait also makes the breed affectionate and playful, so you'll be hard-pressed to see a Peka-A-West refusing a cuddle or romp session. On the other hand, Peka-A-Wests are hesitant, sometimes temperamental, with strangers. As such, socialization with people and other animals from an early age is important in raising a well-adjusted Peka-A-West. Overall, this breed retains many of the positive qualities of its parent breeds, and is ideally suited to families looking for an intelligent, affectionate pet.

Needs and activities of the Peka-A-West

The energy level of a Peka-A-West is somewhere between that of a low-key Pekingese and an energetic Westie. In general, these dogs need around 30 minutes of exercise a day. However, they may need more if they take after their Terrier parent. In any case, this hybrid is always eager for moderate walks, trips to the dog park, depending on temperament, and games like fetch. Because of their size and moderate activity requirements, Peka-A-Wests are ideal for owners living in urban environments or apartments in temperate climates. They will, however, thrive in any household and type of climate as long as they are treated like the mischievous lapdog they are.

Maintenance of the Peka-A-West

The Peka-A-West's moderate shedding and long coat require occasional maintenance in the form of brushing with a pin, comb or smooth brush. Ambitious owners can trim particularly long pieces of their dog's coat with scissors or clippers around the feet, ears and eyes. Otherwise, professional grooming is always an option. Peka-A-Wests should be bathed and have their nails trimmed at least once a month. Owners should also use a damp cloth to regularly clean their Peka-A-West's ears and eyes to prevent infections. In addition, Peka-A-Wests should brush their teeth daily to prevent dental disease.