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Peekapoo (Pekingese Miniature Poodle Mix): Guide, Pictures & Care

Written by: Nicole Cosgrove

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Nicole Cosgrove

Peekapoo (Pekingese Miniature Poodle Mix): Guide, Pictures & Care

The Peekapoo is a gentle, loving designer dog suitable for a wide range of living situations. This breed is loyal and affectionate and becomes very attached to his family. While their size doesn’t make them good guard dogs, they will certainly act like one. These dogs can be wary of strangers if they are not well-socialized as puppies.

Breed Overview

Height:

up to 11 inches

Weight:

4 – 20 pounds

Lifespan:

10 – 15 years

Colors:

Silver, grey, white, buff, sable, chocolate, black

Suitable for:

Families, seniors, singles, apartments, houses with/without yard space

Temperament:

Intelligent, active, gentle, loving

The Peekapoo is a mixed breed dog that comes from a Pekingese and either a Toy or Miniature Poodle. It is a true “Doodle” breed, meaning these dogs are hypoallergenic with low to non-shedding coats. They are low-maintenance with activity and grooming. Their friendly, sweet personality makes them a fantastic companion animal for seniors and singles, but they are also great with children, as there is no end to their goofy antics.

Energy
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

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Peekapoo Puppies

The key to having a well-adjusted Peekapoo puppy is ensuring that they are socialized at a young age. By meeting a variety of new people and animals as a puppy, the Peekapoo will be less wary of strangers as adults. It’s also important to teach your Peekapoo proper puppy manners to avoid nipping behaviors.

Dive into this full care guide for your Peekapoo puppy so you know what type of food, exercise, and overall care they need. With enough time commitment to play with your pup, and take them on walks, they should grow into healthy and happy dogs. Also, remember to correctly groom your Peekapoo since they will be needing it every now and then.

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Image Credit: Left-  Korey Lowdon, Pixabay | Right – Skyler Ewing, Pexels

Temperament & Intelligence of the Peekapoo

In general, Peekapoos are loyal, loving, and gentle dogs who are dedicated to their families. They are lap dogs who love to cuddle, and they are rarely aggressive.

The temperament of individual puppies is affected by many factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with good temperaments will be playful and curious and willing to approach people. When choosing a puppy, you often want one who falls in the middle of litter, meaning he is neither the puppy beating up his littermates nor the one who hides in the corner.

Peekapoos are suspicious of strangers by nature, so they can become aggressive and shy when they’re not well-socialized. This is true of any dog but especially important for those who tend to be wary by nature.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Yes, Peekapoos make fantastic family dogs. If they are introduced to children from a young age, they will become loyal companions. They are gentle with children and not aggressive.

As with any dog, children should be taught how to safely approach, touch, and play with dogs. Since the Peekapoo is a small breed, they can be injured by play that’s too rough.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

This breed does well with other dogs and pets as long as they are properly socialized at a young age. An older Peekapoo with negative socialization experiences can become aggressive and combative towards other animals.

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Things to Know When Owning a Peekapoo:

Food & Diet Requirements

Peekapoos will do well on a diet of high-quality kibble. Premium brands with high-grade ingredients will be better than cheap kibble with fillers and low-protein content. Most pet stores will carry a large selection of quality dry food choices appropriate for your dog’s age, size, and activity level.

The average amount of kibble required for a Peekapoo is ¼ to ¾ cups per day. This will vary according to the brand of kibble you choose. It’s appropriate to feed wet food or cooked lean meat and veggies (ones that are safe for dogs) on an occasional basis, but too many calorie-rich treats can lead to obesity.

Obesity is a serious concern for this dog breed. They are prone to it due to their size and voracious appetite. It’s extremely important to make sure your Peekapoo doesn’t get too many treats to avoid this problem.

Exercise

The Peekapoo is an active and energetic dog that requires daily exercise. Despite its small size, your Peekapoo will happily keep up for walks, jog, and hikes.

It’s important to make sure this dog doesn’t become overheated during hot weather due to its susceptibility to respiratory problems. These dogs love to be outside, but a backyard isn’t necessary if you are committed to daily walks.

Training

Training this dog breed is a delight, as they are a very intelligent breed. Positive reinforcement training methods work best, as these dogs are highly sensitive and won’t respond well to harsh reprimands.

Crate training is recommended for potty training and keeping your Peekapoo out of trouble.

Socialization with all kinds of people, dogs, and other animals is extremely important for Peekapoo puppies.

Grooming ✂️

The Peekapoo’s coat is soft, wavy, and medium to long in length. These dogs have no undercoat and are low to non-shedding dogs. Because of this, they will require regular grooming to stay healthy.

Regular brushing is the minimum grooming requirement to keep their coat free from tangles. They can be clipped if you don’t want to have the hassle of long-hair upkeep. However, they will still require bathing and brushing.

Some Peekapoos will have folds around their eyes, ears, and muzzle inherited from their Pekingese parent. These wrinkles will require some care to keep them free of dirt.

Health and Conditions

Minor Conditions
  • Brachycephalic breathing issues in hot weather
Serious Conditions
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Legg-Calve Perthes Disease
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Hip Dysplasia

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Male vs Female

While some owners report that male Peekapoos are slightly more laid back than females, there are very few differences between the two.

Both male and female Peekapoos are cuddly, loving dogs who are loyal to their owners.


3 Little-Known Facts About the Peekapoo

1. They are one of the first designer dogs

Peekapoos were one of the very first designer or crossbred dogs. It’s speculated that this dog breed resulted from an accidental breeding, but it was so lovable that people began intentionally breeding them.

This dog breed first appeared in the United States in the 1950s and was one of the first hypoallergenic poodle-mix breeds.


2. They have an underbite

When it comes to appearance, Peekapoos have cute little noses, big button eyes, and a very noticeable underbite. Underbites occur when a dog’s teeth are misaligned, and the bottom row of teeth sticks out further than the top.

Pekingese dogs all have underbites, and the Peekapoo often inherits this trait.  It’s not harmful and gives the dog a cute quirk that other dogs don’t have.


3. They are considered brachycephalic

Brachycephalic dogs have short heads and flat muzzles. These dogs have smaller than average breathing passages and can be prone to respiratory difficulties.

Since Peekapoos are a crossbred dog, you can’t be sure just what characteristics your puppy will exhibit. Their Pekingese parents have very short noses, while their Poodle parent has a long one, so what type of nose your pup has will depend on what genes he gets.

It’s not uncommon for Peekapoos to have breathing difficulties when they get over-excited or during hot weather. This feature can also lead to snoring.

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Final Thoughts

Peekapoos are great companion pets for individuals, seniors, and families. Because they are small dogs, they can thrive in small living spaces as long as you commit to taking them out for daily exercise. As lap dogs, this breed is incredibly loyal, gentle, and easy to train. They have a strong desire to please their owners. As a hypoallergenic breed, this dog is a good choice for those with allergies. Their non-shedding coat does mean that they require regular grooming. These dogs can have some breathing difficulties in hot weather due to their brachycephalic facial structure.


Featured Image Credit: The Real Prince Club, Shutterstock

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