Peekapoo | Dog Breed Information and Pictures

The Peekapoo, with a Pekingese and Poodle parent, truly proves that good things come in small packages. These pups are the perfect lap dogs, thriving off of their owner’s attention and love. These adorable little dogs are fiercely protective of the people that they love, and although they won’t be your best bet when it comes to fighting any intruders, their loyalty and affection will melt your heart.

Origin & History of Peekapoos

The Peekapoo was bred in the 1950s and is thus one of the oldest mixed breed dogs around. Their popularity skyrocketed around the same time as the Cockapoo, some time in the 1960s. The aim of breeders in crossing the Toy Poodle with the Pekingese was to get a loving lap dog for people with allergies, as the Peekapoo has the hypoallergenic coat of its Poodle parent. Most Peekapoos are first-generation dogs, with multigenerational breeding being rather rare. They are yet to achieve a registered breed status but have nonetheless garnered widespread fame thanks to their loving nature and adorable looks.

Personality and Temperament

The Peekapoo is a perfect lap dog, thanks to its sweet and gentle nature. These dogs are incredibly loving and thrive off of your attention. They love to be around the people they love and are fiercely protective of their humans, which is absolutely adorable when seen in conjunction with their small size. You can expect your Peekapoo to protect you with everything they’ve got. These are intelligent pups that are easy to train and love spending time outdoors as well as cuddling up with their owner on the sofa. Due to their protective nature, it is best to start socializing them young. Introduce them to unfamiliar faces and situations as a puppy so that they grow up with relatively welcoming personalities. To get a fair idea of the kind of personality you Peekapoo will grow up to have, spend time around the Poodle and Pekingese parents. Usually, the parents’ personalities are good indicators of the kind of temperament your pup will grow into as they age.

Peekapoo Size

Due to the mixed nature of the Peekapoo, as well as the lack of any standards that breeders may follow, this dog can come in a wide variety of sizes. However, you can expect this pup to grow up to be anywhere between 4 to 20 pounds with a height of around 11 inches. The Peekapoo is almost always quite small, but size variations make it difficult to pinpoint the exact height and weight.

Peekapoo Health

The Peekapoo is a mixed breed dog that, in most cases, enjoys hybrid vigor leading to improved health when compared to purebred dogs born through generations of inbreeding. While the chances of a mixed pup developing certain genetic illnesses is mostly low, it is necessary to remain vigilant and have your dog checked by a veterinarian at least once a month to ensure your pup is in good health and no diseases are developing. In case an illness is caught early on, it can be dealt with promptly. If you are getting your Peekapoo from a breeder, make sure health clearances for both parent dogs are provided. Ensure that the breeder does not mate dogs younger than 2 years since that is the age when most genetic illnesses begin to show symptoms. Some illnesses that your Peekapoo may be predisposed to include bone and joint-related issues such as patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and hip dysplasia, as well as degenerative eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy. In addition to this, ensure good oral hygiene since your pup may develop dental issues later in life if attention is not paid to this area.

Peekapoo Care and Training

Do not be deceived by the Peekapoo’s cuddly and cute teddy bear-like exterior. These are active little pups that adore playtime! Your Peekapoo has moderate exercise needs and will be happy to go on a daily walk with you or release some pent-up energy through a fun game of fetch in the yard or the hallway. The Peekapoo needs mental and physical stimulation to stay healthy and keep the pup from getting bored. A bored dog is a destructive dog, and that is something no owner wants. It is, however, of incredible importance to not let your pup overexert itself or force your Peekapoo to exercise when it looks like they have had enough. Flat-faced dogs like Peekapoos and Pugs can develop breathing-related issues due to overheating if they exercise too much. A tiny bit goes a long way, so no need to have your sweet little Peekapoo run any marathons anytime soon. These are strictly indoor dogs, and they should not be left outside unattended since they may be seen as prey by larger animals due to their small size. They are easy to train due to their high levels of intelligence. Just be sure to incorporate a lot of positive reinforcement and steer clear of any harsh punishments or yelling. These are gentle pups and deserve to be treated with as much love as possible.

Feeding

Your Peekapoo will need anywhere between a ¼ to ¾ cup of dried high-quality dog food. It is best to divide this up into two separate meals a day. Free feeding should be avoided since your Peekapoo may overeat and gain unnecessary weight. To figure out exactly how much food your Peekapoo needs, speak to a professional that can assess their nutritional needs and come up with a diet plan accordingly. Your pup’s nutritional needs will change as they grow older. However, it is important to speak to a professional before introducing any changes to your Peekapoo’s diet.

Coat Color, Types, Shedding

The Peekapoo has a soft and fluffy coat that ranges from wavy to curly. It is almost cotton-like in texture and can grow into a medium or long length. When it comes to shedding, it really depends on which parent your pup takes after. If they are more like the Poodle parent, they will have a low-shedding and low-dander coat. However, if they take after the Pekingese parent when it comes to shedding, the situation may not be as ideal. They come in a range of colors, including grey, white, silver, cream, red, apricot, chocolate, etc.

Peekapoo Grooming

Your Peekapoo’s coat will require regular brushing, even if you choose to clip it. This is necessary to keep it free of tangles and matted fur. Take care to keep the wrinkly area around the Peekapoo’s eyes clear of any dirt or debris, and make sure there is no hair falling into their eyes. Bathe your Peekapoo when necessary and check and clean their ears regularly to ensure that an ear infection is not developing.

Deciding on a Peekapoo

The Peekapoo is a right fit for you if:

You are looking for a small lap dog
You want a dog that can thrive in the city and easily adjusts to apartment life
You want a really, really cute pup!

The Peekapoo is not a right fit for you if:

You are looking for a dog that can be your exercise companion
You want a guard dog
You are looking for a dog that can be kept outdoors or in a kennel

Getting a Peekapoo

How Much is a Peekapoo Puppy?

The average cost of a Peekapoo puppy is anywhere between $275 to $1450. The price can go up depending on the breeder and the traits of the puppy.

Peekapoo Breeders

Rescue and Adoption

While it is unlikely to find a “designer breed” such as the Peekapoo in a shelter due to its valuable nature, it is always a good idea to look into your rescue options before buying from a breeder. Remember, when it comes to pets, it is always a better idea to adopt rather than shop! You can use this website to find Peekapoo rescues up for adoption (among other Doodle dogs):

Poo-mix Rescue