Peekapoo Dog Breed: All There Is To Know

Heritage and Registry

History

Anyone familiar with a Peekapoo cannot help but fall in love with it. This is a dog breed that epitomizes beauty, grace, and intelligence, being a designer breed that is a product of a Poodle and a Pekingese parents.

Research shows that the Peekapoo dog breed is one of the very first designer breeds that were created. Its roots started in 1950 but it is also likely that it has already been existing even before that although naturally and not recorded.

The first recorded breeding of a Peekapoo is not intentional but the product is the same – one adorable dog that is known to be allergy-friendly. It is evident that many fur parents also appreciate their existence considering the consistently high demand for them.

But in reality, who could resist a poodle mix? Add Pekingese to the blend and you are guaranteed to have a perfect lap dog. This would be a great companion dog to choose particularly if you have limited space in your household.

Registry

The Pekingese and Poodle are recognized by major dog clubs such as the American Kennel Club because they are purebred dogs. Because of its mixed origin, their Peekapoo offspring is not.

However, Peekapoo is still recognized for the following:

• American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC)
• Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC)
• International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)
• Designer Breed Registry (DBR)

Parentage

Pekingese

The roots of the Pekingese parent of a Peekapoo could be traced to China. It is a dog breed dating as far back as over 2 millennia. It is a type of toy dog that is favored in said country’s Imperial Court as a companion dog wherein even commoners are known to bow down to them.

Thus, it is not anymore surprising that this dog breed became a popular prize for British soldiers when they invaded China. The same soldiers are the ones who are known to have also introduced this dog breed, which is local to China, to the Westerners.

Even in the present day, it is hard to disassociate Pekingese from the royal blood. It has an innate grandeur in it that would remind you of the emperors of the old world. It is simply regal and seemingly exudes an ethereal vibe on its own.

Pekingese is known to be an intelligent dog breed. It is very independent which could be associated with stubbornness. Nevertheless, this is not enough to discourage fur parents from having one especially since it has already proven itself as a great companion dog.

Poodle

The Poodle parent of a Peekapoo is likewise a beautiful dog breed. It is rare that one wouldn’t recognize it, having been the equivalent of a celebrity in the dog world. It frequents not only dog shows but also serves as a good contender in various doggy sports.

The history of a Poodle is likewise long and interesting. It is one of the earliest dog breeds and it has initially been bred as a waterfowl. It even once functioned as a circus dog because of how easily it could learn commands and tricks.

Indeed, Poodles are pretty talented. They rank among the top dog breeds in terms of intelligence. It doesn’t even stop there because with their natural good temperaments, they are a popular choice even for parents with small kids.

General Information on a Peekapoo

Physical Appearance

It will not be easy predicting how a Peekapoo would turn out. Since it is one of the hybrid dog breeds around, its physical appearance would depend on what character traits it will inherit from either of its parent breeds.

In fact, it is not even impossible to have pups of the same litter having distinct physical characteristics from each other.

Depending on whether it is parented by a toy poodle or a miniature poodle, a Peekapoo could grow up to 11 in tall. Its weight could be anywhere between 4 to 20 lb making it a small dog.

The body of a Peekapoo is small but compact. They have short legs and little paws. Many Peekapoos are observed to have uneven rows of teeth wherein the bottom juts out farther than the top row. This makes them more adorable combined with their big eyes and black noses.

Peekapoos have short muzzles that make them Brachycephalic dogs. This could pose problems, especially with respiration. Thus, fur parents should pay attention to the possible development of this.

The coat of a Peekapoo could be very soft. It could grow up to medium to long length with no undercoat. Many consider it a hypoallergenic dog because of its Poodle parentage but there are Peekapoos that are an average shedder too. Thus, it still depends on the genes.

The coat of a Peekapoo could come in a wide variety of solid colors such as silver, apricot, black, white, choco brown, red, gray, blue, and beige. It could also come with unique markings.

The Peekapoo’s coat would be great protection against mild weather conditions. When it becomes too cold, fur parents should consciously provide an additional layer of protection to help their fur babies become more comfortable.

Grooming

Brushing

Peekapoos could either inherit the coat of their Pekingese parent or their Poodle parent. But either way, their brushing needs remain the same.

A Peekapoo would need to be brushed every other day at the very least. With the type of coat its parent breeds have, it could easily be susceptible to matting and tangles.

You could invest in a detangling brush for this task. You could supplement that with a metal comb too. Some fur parents use a detangling spray as well to reduce the discomfort of a Peekapoo especially if you are dealing with tangling.

Fur parents may find that their fur babies may not be as receptive to being brushed. The reason behind this could be that they are feeling uncomfortable especially if there are tangles that are being fixed. It is also possible that they are not used to being brushed.

If this is the case, you could motivate them to be more receptive by rewarding them with treats afterwards. This would allow them to associate the task with something good so they would come to look forward to it. You could also start brushing them young so they could start getting used to it.

Brushing your pooch is important especially if you don’t want to end up with a tangled ball of walking fur. It helps removes the debris and dirt that got stuck in your Peekapoo’s coat. This is particularly important maintenance since it is recommended to bathe your fur baby only once a month.

Brushing your Peekapoo also helps establish the bond between it and its fur parent. It serves as a good bonding experience since dogs in general are very tactile creatures.

Bathing

The bathing need of a Peekapoo is on the low side. This doesn’t need to be done often. You could get away with just washing it once a month. Unless it decides to suddenly get a mud bath, you could settle with cleaning it with a soft towel whenever it gets slightly dirty.

Bath time would keep a Peekapoo clean. There is nothing disputable about that. However, too much bath time could also cause more bad than good.

A Peekapoo produces natural oil on its skin. This helps in keeping its coat shiny and looking healthy all the time. Frequent bathing would remove this natural oil which would cause its coat to look dry instead.

When you bathe a Peekapoo, it is a must that you only use bath products formulated for dogs. Choose a shampoo that is good-smelling yet mild. Definitely, human products are not recommended as these may have ingredients that could be dangerous to your pooch.

Take the time also to check your fur baby for any parasites. Check for abnormal rashes and marks on its skin that needs to be addressed. If treatment is needed, it is important to facilitate it before the problem even escalates.

Other Grooming Requirements

The grooming requirements of a Peekapoo do not end after brushing and bathing. Its upkeeping involves other tasks that are needed to be met to make it look good and clean always.

It is possible that a Peekapoo would inherit the folds of its Pekingese parent. If your Peekapoo did, then you should be mindful to clean it regularly.

Free its folded skin of dirt and debris that got stuck in it. Clean it with gentle wipes or a washcloth. Afterwards, dry it properly. Ensure that all moisture has been wiped away to prevent bacteria from propagating.

Aside from the folds, it is also important to keep the nails of your fur baby trimmed. You’ll know that it’s time to trim it off when its nails start to make a sound against the floor as your Peekapoo walks around. This usually occurs every 2 to 3 weeks.

The ears of your Peekapoo need to also be cleaned every week. Q-tips is definitely a no-no for this job. Instead, you could use cotton balls and an ear solution so you could clean its ears thoroughly.

Watch out for any odd smell that would indicate that the ears of your Peekapoo are infected. Normally, this is accompanied by a discharge. If this happens, you may consult your vet on the available treatment.

Peekapoos could easily fall victim to dental diseases because of how enthusiastic eaters they are. Thus, these doggos should have good dental hygiene. While daily brushing is recommended, you could get away with it at least 3 times a week.

Use only a dog-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste on your Peekapoo. Any human product could be harmful to it.

It is understandable if the overall grooming needs of a Peekapoo could be intimidating to you. This is normal, especially for first-time fur parents.

Needless to say, you could also seek the help of professional groomers to help you out. They offer full-package deals that will cover all the grooming requirements of any dog breed.

Food

Food is the primary source of sustenance among dogs. It can either make or break their health. Thus, this should be well-planned throughout the different stages of their lives.

Like any other dog, a Peekapoo would require different nutritional needs depending on its age. The food provided to it during puppyhood needs to be upgraded and changed as it becomes a fully matured dog. Likewise, its diet would again change when it reaches its senior years.

This doesn’t yet include the circumstances when its diet needs to change because of a health condition or because it is allergic.

One good thing though about all this is that although it could be a daunting task to plan the nutrition of your fur baby, it is not anymore as hard nowadays. There are so many brands available commercially that could give your Peekapoo the dog food it needs. You just need to pick the best and the most appropriate one.

If you are looking for tips then start by choosing a dog food that is formulated for a Peekapoo. It should just be within its bite-size and not too large that it may have a hard time chewing. It should be a high-quality one made with the least fillers and not too refined. In that way, your Peekapoo could still reap a lot of benefits from it.

An average-sized Peekapoo would need at least about 1/4 to 3/4 cups of kibble. This could still be adjusted depending on its size, weight, and activity level.

You can increase it when its ribs are getting pronounced. On the other hand, you could decrease it when you are noticing that your Peekapoo is gaining unnecessary weight.

You should also divide its recommended daily serving of food into two to let it properly digest the food. It is believed that eating fast and too much in one go could cause Bloat in dogs.

While dry food could be the most preferred option for many fur parents due to its accessibility and because it is easy to prepare, you could also choose to feed your Peekapoo wet food or cooked food. For the latter, expect it to be a little more tedious since it would still need effort for food prep.

Likewise, the guidance of the vet is needed to ensure that you are preparing a balanced diet for your pooch.

Treats are also available for your Peekapoo. You can give it some treats, especially during training but be sure not to overdo it because it could lead to obesity.

Training

Right Training Approach

Training is very important for all dogs alike. This would instill discipline in them while they are young and will help keep them safe whenever needed.

As a Pekingese Poodle mix, you can already expect that a Peekapoo would be a pleasure to train. It came from a Poodle parent which is no less than intelligent. In fact, Poodle is even considered the second most intelligent dog breed in the world coming after the Border Collie from the dog intelligence test of Stanley Coren.

Pretty cool right? You can expect that a Peekapoo would learn easily the most basic commands and tricks.

However, it wouldn’t hurt if you would increase the success rate of the training of your Peekapoo mixed breed dog by starting as early as possible. In that way, it would less likely to develop stubbornness that may pose a challenge during training.

The problem with cute, cuddly, and adorable Peekapoos is that many fur parents hold back in training them early. Instead, they focus on spoiling them and giving them all that they want because it is simply hard to resist their charm. They only realize these mistakes when problems already arise in the future.

This should not persist. Hard it may be, but fur parents should try correcting all bad habits of their dogs from puppyhood. They should teach their fur babies to discern between good and bad so that any bad habits won’t carry on with these dogs as they grow older.

Fur parents should not also give their Peekapoos mixed signals. They should not tolerate bad habits while these dogs are young only to correct said habits later on. This wouldn’t do your fur babies good.

It should be noted that training would only be effective if fur parents would be consistent. This is starting with the tone of voice used, down to the commands, and even gestures.

Training a Peekapoo would be effective as well with the use of a rewards-based approach. This means giving it rewards for all the desired behaviors achieved.

Contrary to what many believe, treats are not just the only rewards you could give your pooch for a positive reinforcement approach. You could also give it cuddles, extra rubs, and perhaps more time with its favorite toy.

You could use as a reward its favorite things and those activities you think it would enjoy the most. Peekapoos, like other dogs, are very tactile. Of course, who would say no for an extra time with its favorite human right?

Using positive reinforcement is the best way forward because it makes the training enjoyable for a Peekapoo. Trust that even without being prompted, it could easily be an activity it would look forward to.

Using negative reinforcement when training a Peekapoo is definitely not a way to go. There are those who believe that fear could be a good motivator but this cannot be more wrong for gentle dogs such as this crossbreed.

This would only make it fear training. Not to mention, could permanently break its spirit. It could even turn it into one aggressive pooch which any fur parent wouldn’t want to happen.

Basic Training

The natural trainability of Peekapoos makes them easy to train. Because of this, it is understandable that fur parents would get excited and want their fur babies to learn many tricks as soon as possible. This is a good way to show them off during events.

However, before you jump into training your Peekapoo for complicated tricks, it is best that you start first by teaching it commands that would benefit both of you daily.

You could begin with potty training your Peekapoo. This entails teaching it the right place to do its business so you won’t need to clean up after your pooch every single time. This would also help maintain the cleanliness of your home.

No one wants a place that is dotted with their pet’s poo and pee, right?

Potty training a Peekapoo is fairly easy to do. You just need to stick to a particular routine until your Peekapoo gets the gist of what you are teaching it.

The schedule that is known to be the best and the most effective would be bringing it out to do its business after meals, before sleeping, and after waking it up in the morning. When this is diligently followed, it would be in no time that your Peekapoo would know what to do. It would even find a way to tell you it needs to go if it is outside the schedule.

You have to be patient with your Peekapoo as it goes through the learning curve. Accidents would tend to happen but the last thing your pooch needs is for you to scold it or punish it for things it doesn’t have control of yet. This would just bring it back to square one and fear may even slow down its progress.

Crate Training is another training that would benefit a Peekapoo. This is particularly if it is susceptible to separation anxiety when left behind by its owner.

Unfortunately, this happens to many Peekapoos because of the attachment they develop to their fur parents. It’s a good thing that crate training would help manage this by allowing it to have a safe place when their fur parents are away.

Many associate crate training with restricting and imprisoning your pooch. This is far from the truth particularly when this is executed properly.

The secret is to find the right size crate that would be appropriate for your Peekapoo. It shouldn’t be too small that it won’t be able to move properly. The space inside should be sufficient to accommodate its activities such as eating, playing with you, and even sleeping. It should also be able to hold with enough space to spare the favorite stuff of your fur baby.

When you do crate train your Peekapoo, it is important that you shouldn’t also lock it in until it is ready. In fact, in many cases, you don’t need to lock it at all. Your Peekapoo would just stay inside on its own if it is suddenly feeling anxious.

Obedience training is one training you shouldn’t miss as well. This is very important because your Peekapoo’s capability to respond to commands would keep it safe and the people around it at all times.

You could start with the basic commands when you teach obedience training to your fur baby. Teach it to respond to sit, stand, heel, roll over, stop, and no. In that way, when the situation calls it, you could easily guide your fur baby on what it needs to do.

By teaching your Peekapoo basic obedience, you are also building the foundation if you want it to undergo advanced training in the future. Trust that when it has finally mastered the basics, performing high-level tricks would anymore be a problem with it.

Socialization

Socialization is one aspect of dog training that should never be missed. It grooms all dogs to be well-rounded and easy to be with. It also teaches them to be confident despite the people around them or the environment.

It just seems complicated but in reality, it is pretty easy. It could be executed even as you are walking your Peekapoo around the neighborhood.

All you need is to pretty much let it mingle with humans and pets it meets along the way. Thus, the more crowded the street you will take it to, the better.

Just make sure that you facilitate a peaceful meet and greet. Follow its signal and pay attention to what its body language is telling you. If it starts getting stiff and growly, better provide it assurance. Stop the interaction and try again later.

You won’t want your fur baby getting aggressive and territorial when you introduce it to other pets. The desired result is the opposite.

You could also facilitate socialization training by introducing your Peekapoo to guests that you will have. Schedule play dates for it with other dogs in the neighborhood and encourage it to mingle with other animals.

You can also enroll your Peekapoo in a doggy school if you want it to be thoroughly socialized. They have a system there that makes this happen.

It should be noted that all the training and good temperament of a Peekapoo will be for nothing if it is not socialized properly. It is even possible that it won’t be as easy to get along with and it could develop aggressive tendencies.

Exercise and Physical Activity

A Peekapoo would be one active dog breed. It is energy-packed that it would require a high amount of exercise daily.

However, take into consideration that it is still not a big and athletic dog so it doesn’t really need too strenuous exercise. Thus, its activity should just be balanced.

A Peekapoo would need about 30 to 45 mins of exercise daily to be happy. You could choose to bring it for a walk around the neighborhood which is the most preferred option by fur parents. You could also bring it to a jog or a small hike. Playing at a nearby dog park would help as well.

The goal is to think of the best combination of exercises that would provide your Peekapoo with optimal results. It should not only help it be fit and well but stimulate its mind also.

The failure of fur parents to meet the daily exercise needs could result in their Peekapoos developing destructive activities such as incessant barking, digging, and gnawing at the furniture. You wouldn’t want to deal with broken furniture just because your Peekapoo is feeling a little bit bored right?

The lack of exercise and mind stimulation could also cause a Peekapoo to feel sad and depressed.

If you think your Peekapoo is not exercised and mind-stimulated enough even after meeting its exercise needs, then you may want to engage it in puzzle games. You can also buy some interactive toys that would keep it entertained even indoors. For many Peekapoos, playing with a ball is a good way to go.

When you have an enclosed backyard, you can just let your fur baby have some playtime with it. Just ensure that it is secured and no predators are prowling around. With its size and overall attractive look, a Peekapoo is also prone to be dognapped.

Just a little precaution when you start to exercise your pooch. Do not engage it in anything heavy and strenuous until it is fully matured already. This normally happens between their 7th month and 12th month age.

The rationale behind this is that this could hamper the development of the pooch. It could also cause injuries and make it susceptible to health issues such as Hip Dysplasia. Thus, you should consider short works for the time being until your Peekapoo is already fully developed.

Likewise, when you do exercise your Peekapoo, it is also a must that you keep it hydrated. Don’t let it feel overheated especially when it is a hot day. Since a Peekapoo is a Brachycephalic dog, it tends to suffer more from the heat than other dogs.

Health Concerns

Designer dogs are getting much attention not only because they represent the best of both worlds for their parent breeds but the cross also eliminates the possibility of innate health issues common during inbreeding.

Technically, a Peekapoo is a very healthy breed. However, due to many factors at play, there are still instances when they do develop health issues that could escalate when not addressed appropriately. Some of these are the following:

Patellar Luxation

Patellar Luxation is a disorder affecting the knee caps of a Peekapoo. It is when it slides out of its original position causing lameness on the affected leg. While some Peekapoos suffer Patellar Luxation in one knee only, there are times when both knees are also affected causing lameness to the pooch.

Patellar Luxation has 4 stages. The first two could still be corrected manually, while the latter two would usually need surgery.

Aside from lameness, a Peekapoo suffering from Patellar Luxation would have a hard time bending the affected leg. It would carry it as it moves around to lessen the pain.

The Peekapoo would also not want to wander around. It would refuse any activity that involves walking and pressure on its legs particularly when there is swelling.

Patellar Luxation is congenital. But it could also be attributed to abnormalities during the development period of a Peekapoo. Further, this could be caused by injuries as well.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a disease impacting the sense of sight of a Peekapoo particularly the photoreceptors that are located in its retina. Over time, said cells degenerate which eventually leads to partial or full blindness in the affected dog.

It is still possible for Peekapoos with PRA to have a normal life with the guidance of their fur parents. However, this disorder could still be life-changing to these dogs.

A Peekapoo with PRA will initially exhibit weakening of eyesight at night. It may bump into the furniture particularly if it is very dark. Its eyes would also look glossy or reflective when looking at a bright light.

Most often than not, it takes time before PRA is detected. Nevertheless, this is an inherited condition that has no cure.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is a disorder that is once believed to affect only big dogs. This is a big misconception because, in reality, this disorder affects dogs of all sizes and shapes.

This is a skeletal disorder affecting the hind part of the Peekapoo which often has a critical impact on their mobility. A Peekapoo suffering from Hip Dysplasia often experiences pain like no other because instead of the ball and socket joints at its hips working fluidly together, it rubs against each other instead. The friction created also results in arthritis later on.

Some manifestations of Hip Dysplasia include lameness on the hind part of a Peekapoo. It doesn’t have any motivation to move and is always lying down. When it needs to move, this is accompanied by limping.

A Peekapoo with Hip Dysplasia has a more developed chest. It also losses some muscles on its legs. The reason for this is that the work is carried by its chest with little to no pressure on the affected leg when it walks.

Hip Dysplasia is known to have been hereditary. But there are also times when this is the outcome of overexercising your pooch and accidents.

There is no cure for Hip Dysplasia although there are times when surgery is still required. Treatment is also available for a Peekapoo suffering from intense pain linked to the disorder.

Von Willebrand’s Disease

Von Willebrand’s Disease impacts the blood of a Peekapoo. It is where there is the absence of the abnormal production of protein required for it to clot properly, especially during injuries. The result of this could be life-threatening.

This disorder of the blood among dogs often goes undiagnosed. This has no cure and is often inherited from the Peekapoo’s parent breeds. But there is a treatment that could be facilitated whenever necessary such as when your pooch needs to go through a surgical procedure.

A Peekapoo with Von Willebrand’s Disease would have frequent bruising that is difficult to explain. There will also be excessive and prolonged bleeding when a Peekapoo gets wounded. Sometimes, there would be visible blood on the dog’s stool and urine. There could be bleeding gums too.

Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome

This is a normal disorder for the likes of Peekapoo which is a type of brachycephalic dog. The facial features of such dogs make them susceptible to abnormalities in their airways.

Included in the Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome a Peekapoo suffers from are Laryngeal collapse and Nasopharyngeal turbinates.

A Peekapoo with Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome would noticeably breathe noisily even when in a relaxed state. It tends to snore loudly while asleep. It would exhibit heavy panting and could even collapse performing the slightest exercise, especially during a hot day.

Other symptoms would also include gagging and vomiting as a Peekapoo eats or drinks. This pooch may have a particularly hard time with this health concern when it is on the overweight side.

As previously mentioned, this health issue is due to the physical makeup of a Peekapoo, particularly the flattened facial feature. Considering this, there is no way to really treat it. But precautions could be taken, such as maintaining the ideal weight of your fur baby, to not make the problem worse.

In case of worst-case scenarios such as when the physical abnormality of your Peekapoo already endangers it, then it may be necessary to let it go through corrective surgery. This could help make its life a lot better.

The above are just some of the health concerns that could plague a Peekapoo. There is no way to actually determine what your pooch will get or whether or not it would really get any health problems at all during its lifetime.

If you want to have a healthy dog, however, you should ensure that your fur baby is well-cared for. It should have nothing less than a healthy lifestyle supplemented by sufficient exercise and regular vet care.

Your Peekapoo should also be sourced only from a reputable breeder. In that way, the likelihood of it inheriting any hereditary illnesses will be slim. Know that reputable breeders practice ethical breeding and they only cross healthy parent breeds.

Lifespan

A Peekapoo is expected to have an average life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. But still, there are Peekapoos that are known to live more. Such is attributed to a healthy lifestyle.

If you are looking to be with your Peekapoo for quite a long time, it is important to ensure that it eats healthily and exercises regularly. Medical care should be provided to it whenever necessary. It is also recommended that regular vet check-ups be conducted so that any health issues could be detected before they escalate.

Peekapoo Temperament

Gentle dogs that come in the right-size package? Then you are on the right track when it comes to a Peekapoo. This fur baby has no naturally aggressive bone in its body which makes it easy to get along with.

Peekapoo is a loyal and devoted pooch. It loves its favorite human and family unconditionally that you will find it initiating cuddles on its own. It takes seriously its job as a lap dog and it is rarely far away from its favorite human unless distracted by something that manages to catch its attention.

A Peekapoo can be a clingy dog. It won’t want to be left behind when it comes to family adventures and outings. It will integrate itself into the activity particularly if it could see you having fun. This is why it could be prone to separation anxiety when left on its own even for a short time.

Peekapoo dogs could be very energetic also. They are playful and very curious that sometimes when they try to satisfy their curiosity, they end up in a lot of trouble. Because of this, fur parents need to keep a close eye on them, especially during walks and playtime.

Nevertheless, with how energy-packed a Peekapoo is, you can also expect that you have a partner for whatever adventures you have in mind. It may not be as big as those large, athletic dogs but trust that they won’t let you down if you have a companion for a hike or a swim. This dog simply doesn’t let its not-so-big size hinder it and it would definitely not let you down.

Innately friendly it may be, but a Peekapoo could still exhibit wariness towards strangers. If it is not introduced properly, it is possible that barking and growling toward the stranger may ensue. However, trust that it won’t bite easily, especially if it is properly trained and socialized.

The size of a Peekapoo doesn’t stop it from being protective of its family. Especially around strangers, you won’t see it away from the side of its humans and could even exhibit extreme watchfulness.

Overall, it can be said that temperament-wise, you will not be left wanting with a Peekapoo because it can be calm and even-tempered. However, it should also be noted that good temperament does not just occur. It could still be affected by a variety of factors such as training, upbringing, and even genetics.

You cannot expect a Peekapoo that was brought up in a violent environment to be a happy pooch. This is also the case if one or both of its parent breeds have innately bad temperaments. Thus, a temperament test is recommended before buying a pup.

Peekapoo As A Family Dog

If you are wondering whether or not a Peekapoo would be a good family pet, then the answer is yes. It has the temperament that would make it easy to get along with and would make it fit with any type of fur parent.

A Peekapoo would be a great partner if you are single because although it is small, its energy would enable it to keep up with you on any type of adventure.

You would enjoy having it with you during easy hikes. It would also be a great companion during a beach trip. The best thing about it is that its size would make it a good travel buddy because there will be less fuss unlike when you have a dog that is of a relatively bigger size.

Note that bigger dogs would normally require a bigger cost during travel. Not all accommodations would welcome them also particularly if they look intimidating. Further, the size of bigger dogs won’t permit you to just carry them around which means additional arrangements in terms of car service or seat arrangement.

A Peekapoo would be a great pet also for seniors and retirees. Granted, it could be a little bit energetic which could pose a challenge to some seniors but the joy that it brings into its fur parents’ lives cannot also be discounted. Plus, it could be extremely adaptable too.

A Peekapoo would have no qualms giving you comfort by just being a good lap dog. It would stand by your side through thick and thin, and would just be happy being your companion on a bad day.

Likewise, a Peekapoo would also be a good companion even if you have your own family and kids. It is not naturally aggressive. In fact, it is even the opposite. They also know how to be extra gentle with kids.

Peekapoos are not too small dogs. Although children, particularly toddlers, need to be guided in how to handle them, their size still does not qualify them as too fragile dog breeds. They could interact with small kids during playtime without getting injured easily. This makes their interaction a lot more fun.

Needless to say, utmost supervision is still required when your small kids and Peekapoo are playing together. Your Peekapoo may not have any aggressive tendencies but this could help prevent accidents from happening.

When it comes to other dogs or other animals as pets, Peekapoo won’t have any problems getting along with them as long as they are properly socialized from puppyhood. If the relationship is only fairly recent, then extended socialization is required. It is likewise recommended that these interactions are made under the watchful eyes of the fur parents

Nevertheless, with how friendly a Peekapoo is, it is without a doubt that in no time it would be friends with your new pets.

The size of a Peekapoo also makes it a great apartment dweller. As long as you could still give it the exercises it needs, there will be no issues. It would even be great if there is a park nearby where it could play by itself, with you, or with other dogs also.

However, if you have a bigger home with its own backyard, that would work well too. It could roam around on its own for that added exercise and mind stimulation it needs.

Just be sure to close the fence accordingly and pay attention to what your Peekapoo is doing from time to time. This pooch tends to wander and satisfy its curiosity when it comes to foreign sound, sight, and smell. Further, it could easily fall prey to predators bigger than it is.

The Cost of Getting a Peekapoo Puppy

Purchase Price

The Poodle parent of a Peekapoo makes it a fairly popular designer dog. This is particularly among those who are looking to have one hypoallergenic pooch.

As we all know, a Poodle is one of the dogs good for people with allergies. Thus, it is not anymore surprising that there is a high demand for its offspring.

If you are already prepared to get a Peekapoo puppy, know that one would cost you anywhere between USD275 and USD1450. This is still relatively low considering that a Standard Poodle would cost you around USD600 to USD1500 while you would need to pay about USD750 to USD3000 for a purebred Pekingese.

The price to pay for a Peekapoo puppy would depend largely on its pedigree, trainability, documents supporting it, and the rarity of its characteristics.

For instance, a Peekapoo puppy would cost more if it is a first-generation designer breed. This means that it is a product of two purebred parents. This is preferable to many fur parents because the unique characteristics of purebred parents retain in their Peekapoo puppy unlike when the said pup is a product of mixed-breed parents.

A Peekapoo that inherits the rare coloring of its Poodle parent is known to also cost more. Even more so, if it comes from a champion line of show-quality dogs.

Another factor that would affect the price of Peekapoo puppies would be the breeder. If they come from reputable breeders, it can be expected that these pups would cost more particularly if the primary care was already provided including deworming, vaccination, and the like. They would also be supported by documents assessing their health and temperament.

However, only with a reputable breeder would you have any peace of mind when you decide to get a Peekapoo puppy. They are very thorough when it comes to the breeding programs they have in place. All parent breeds that are crossed are properly vetted to lessen the possibility of their litter inheriting any pre-existing health conditions.

Considering all these, you may pay a slightly higher price for the Peekapoo puppy but quality-wise, you are covered. Reputable breeders simply do not compromise in terms of the quality of pups they produce. Thus, they do not scrimp also on the pups’ needs.

Puppy mills cannot provide you the same assurances particularly since they usually breed for profit. Thus, the Peekapoo pups and other dogs they produce are often in poor health conditions. If you are not lucky, then this means that you may be in for large vet bills in the future particularly if you have no pet insurance.

So if you are really going to think about it, getting your Peekapoo from a reputable breeder would still be a wise choice.

Considering the Shelters

Breeders won’t be your only choice if you want to get a Peekapoo. You could also try your luck and get one at the nearby doggy shelters in your area.

It is unfortunate but there are Peekapoos that still end up in the shelters regardless of how adorable and unique they are. This is why there are Peekapoos in the doggy shelters that are in need of forever homes.

You will not have issues getting a Peekapoo from a shelter because not only is it smart but it also has a good disposition. It will not give you a difficult time when training it. Plus, it will give you unconditional love without being prompted as long as you will show it TLC.

Other Costs

In getting a Peekapoo, know that the purchase price would only be one aspect of your concern. You should consider primarily your commitment and the affordability of its upbringing.

Many fur parents put their fur babies for adoption later on after realizing that they cannot handle the responsibility nor do they have the budget of growing a puppy. This does not just cost heartbreak to them but the pooch as well.

It could be expected that when getting a dog for the first time that the expenses could be as much as over USD3000 during the first year. Annual expenses after that would be about USD1000 and this only covers the basic necessities such as food, basic medical care, and doggy accessories.

Other services such as grooming, training, pet training, and the like are not yet included in the above rate. It also does not include miscellaneous expenses if and when your fur baby has health conditions. The expenses are only expected to grow as your fur baby grows.

It should be noted that the costs being discussed here are not one-time only. They need to be met throughout the lifetime of a Peekapoo for it to have a decent life. The fur parent’s inability to do this could have a detrimental impact on its growth and development.

Conclusion

You will never go wrong with a Poodle-mix. This is especially when the other half is a Pekingese. Not only would you have one adorable dog breed, but one that is intelligent as well considering that a Poodle and a Pekingese are two very smart and talented dog breeds.

The only downside could be the stubbornness that may develop later on if this pooch is not trained and socialized early. But if fur parents do not overlook this and let their Peekapoos go through the necessary training from puppyhood, this wouldn’t be an issue.

But before you make that final step in getting a Peekapoo, make sure first that the care and upbringing would be affordable to you. Know that getting any type of pet is a commitment that you need to fulfill. Otherwise, this could affect the well-being of your pooch negatively.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What health problems do Peekapoos have?

A: Peekapoos are generally healthy dogs. But despite this, they could still be susceptible to a variety of health conditions particularly if they are not sourced out from a legitimate and reputable breeder.

Among the health issues Peekapoos could suffer from include Von Willebrand’s Disease, Patellar Luxation, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, and Hip Dysplasia. There is no guaranteed way to absolutely stop your pooch from developing any of these. But it would help if you will not buy a Peekapoo from puppy mills and you will schedule your fur baby for regular checkups to detect early symptoms and prevent them from escalating.

Q: What is the lifespan of a Peekapoo?

A: Peekapoo would have an average lifespan of about 10 to 15 years. This is quite long already since we are talking about doggy years.

There are Peekapoos that are known to live longer and it is attributed to their healthy lifestyle. Thus, if you want your Peekapoo to have a chance of living longer, then it is important that you ensure that it is eating right, exercising well, and getting the medical care it needs.

Q: What is the personality of a Peekapoo?

A: Overall, a Peekapoo has a good temperament when trained and socialized at an early age. It has the making of a good lap dog making it a good choice even if you are already a senior fur parent or one with children.

A Peekapoo is never aggressive. It is loyal and devoted. It is also protective and could be wary around strangers. It is very smart coming from equally intelligent parent breeds.

What you should watch out for is that it could be stubborn because it is very independent. But this is nothing training and socialization cannot address.

Q: How much is a Peekapoo dog?

A: A Peekapoo puppy would cost you anywhere between USD275 and USD1450. The price could be dependent on a lot of factors including the pedigree, trainability, and the breeder.

Expect that if you are getting a Peekapoo from a line of champion show dogs that it would cost a lot more. It could even be a lot expensive coming from a reputable breeder because they spend a lot just to make sure that you are getting one high-quality and healthy Peekapoo puppy.