The Pekingese’s luxurious coat is one of the breed’s main attributes, but it also raises the most questions for owners. How to care for it properly? Is it possible to shear a Pekinese? Why do some look like balls and others like foxes? And is it really a machine for them – a taboo? Let’s understand.
The structure of the coat of the Pekingese
The Pekingese has a double type of coat. A soft, dense undercoat protects the skin from cold and overheating, and the long, straight hair forms a lush silhouette. Their fur “collar” on the neck, luxurious tail, fringe on the paws and ears part of the natural defense. If you shave the coat with a machine under the root, it can permanently spoil the structure of the coat. After such grooming, it often does not fully recover: instead of straight awns, soft fluff starts to grow, which quickly collapses into tangles, and the skin becomes vulnerable to sun, cold and irritations. Therefore, machine shaving – exclusively in veterinary cases or in case of severe collapses, and only in parts.
How to properly shear a Pekingese
Although it is not customary to cut the Pekinese short, there are several styles that allow you to both refresh the image and maintain the health of the coat. Each form has its own characteristics and is suitable for different situations, from summer heat to exhibiting at shows.
1. Classic fringe
This is the safest and most natural option that keeps the length of the coat on the body but gives a neat look. Only excess length is trimmed on the legs, groin, under the tail and a little on the belly. Form a “clean” muzzle, ears, trim the hair between the fingers. This Pekinese haircut is recommended for everyone who wants to maintain natural splendor.
2. Haircut “under the Spitz”
This is an option for lovers of “cuteness”. The groomer rounds the body, paws, muzzle and makes the Pekinese look like a ball or a toy. The length of the coat remains 2-3 cm, everything is formed with scissors, without a machine. This style is ideal for photo shoots or as a “summer bow”, but requires frequent combing – the wool has a habit of piling up into fluff.
3. The teddy bear haircut
This is an intermediate option between classic and “spitz” style. The volume remains on the neck, paws and tail, and the body is slightly shortened – no more than 3 cm. The muzzle is rounded like a teddy bear, leaving the emphasis on the eyes. It looks very nice and neat, but it is not suitable for everyone – it is important to keep the balance, so as not to “cut” the structure of the wool.
4. Pekinese haircut “under a puppy”
This is a shorter option, which some owners choose for the summer. The wool all over the body is shortened to 1.5-2 cm, but not at the root, and only with scissors. The ears are left longer, like a doll’s ears. Such a haircut greatly facilitates care, but has a disadvantage – if performed incorrectly, it can disrupt the structure of the wool. Suitable only for pets, not exhibition dogs.
5. Creative grooming
Coloring the tips of the coat, cutting out figurative elements on the back, decorative bows, rhinestones or stencil drawings – all this is used at thematic photo shoots or performances. But Pekingese have very sensitive skin, so all means should be safe, paint – special for animals, and the procedure – exclusively at the groomer with experience.
Grooming a Pekingese between haircuts
Even the most perfect haircut is meaningless without regular home grooming. Pekingese should be brushed at least three times a week, and daily during shedding. Otherwise, the undercoat will bunch up into tangles that are difficult to untangle. Particular attention should be paid to the area behind the ears, under the paws, on the neck – it is there that piles are most often formed. A slicker brush and a comb with metal teeth are suitable for combing. Before the procedure, it is desirable to slightly moisturize the coat with a spray to avoid breaking the awns.
Pekingese should be bathed once every 3-4 weeks, using only delicate shampoos for long-haired breeds. After washing – a mandatory conditioner, because without it the hair becomes brittle, fluffy and poorly combed. Drying should be done with a hair dryer at medium temperature, combing in parallel, so that the wool lies correctly. It is after bathing that is the best time for shearing.
Conclusion
Pekinese haircut is not a fashion, but a continuation of care. Instead of a machine – sharp scissors in the hands of an experienced groomer. Instead of radical changes – soft formation of the silhouette. And then Tail will look and feel confident and comfortable.
