Pekingese Color Chart: A Comprehensive Guide

The Pekingese, with its distinctive flat face and long, luxurious coat, is a beloved and recognized breed worldwide. Aside from its unique appearance, the Pekingese is known for its striking array of colors. If you're a proud Pekingese owner, breeder, or just a curious enthusiast, understanding the Pekingese color chart can be fascinating and helpful.

Pekingese colors range from the softest creams to the darkest blacks, with a variety of shades and combinations in between. Let's delve into the world of Pekingese colors, their variations, and what makes each one unique.

Standard Pekingese Colors

Per the American Kennel Club (AKC) standards, there are three primary coat colors for the Pekingese:

The AKC standards provide a clear framework for what to expect in a Pekingese's coat color. However, the breed's color spectrum is truly vast and intriguing.

Fawn

Fawn is a warm, reddish-brown color ranging from light to dark. The AKC defines it as 'an colors from light fawn to deep red, with a dark muzzle, ears, and mask. While the AKC standard prefers a solid fawn coat, many Pekingese enthusiasts appreciate the beauty of fawn with lighter or darker markings.

Within the fawn category, you'll find various shades, such as apricot, sand, and self. Apricot is a lighter, peachier version of fawn, while sand is a deeper, almost orangey tone. Self fawn refers to solid fawn with little to no markings.

Black

Black Pekingese have a deep, rich sable coat. Their fur can sometimes have a reddish or brownish cast in bright sunlight, but the overall effect is a deep, dark black. Black Pekingese often have dark masks and eye rims, which can contribute to their striking, noble appearance.

Black Pekingese are less common than their fawn counterparts, but no less stunning. Their coats can range from a soft, velvety black to a shiny, blackberry-black. Some black Pekingese may have empeos, which are small white spots on their chest or toes. While not preferred by the AKC, empeos can add charming uniqueness to an otherwise uniformly black coat.

White

White Pekingese are rarity, with a glorious, snow-white coat. The AKC does not recognize white as an official color, as it believes cooper color is a result of dilution genes. However, white Pekingese are breathtaking, with their pure, pristine fur and bright, contrasting eyes.

There are different types of white Pekingese, including true white, white with brindle, and white with dark markings. True white Pekingese have a completely white coat, while those with brindle or dark markings may have a base coat that lightens to white as they age or under bright lighting.

Rare and Unrecognized Colors

While the AKC recognizes only fawn, black, and white, the Pekingese breed club of some countries recognize other colors. Some rare and unrecognized colors in the Pekingese world include:

Brindle

Brindle Pekingese have a coat with dark stripes on a lighter background, often resembling tiger stripes. The stripes can be as dark as black or as light as café au lait, with various shades in between. Brindle is not recognized by the AKC, but it's highly appreciated by some breed enthusiasts for its unique pattern and dimension.

Brindle can occur in various shades, including brindle fawn, brindle black, and brindle white. Each type offers a unique blend of colors and patterns, making brindle Pekingese truly one-of-a-kind.

Blue

Blue Pekingese have a gray, silver, or slate-colored coat due to a dilution gene that lightens their base color. Blue Pekingese can range from a light, almost white hue to a deep, steely gray. While the AKC does not recognize blue as an official color, some other breed clubs do.

Blue Pekingese often have lighter, sometimes almost white, markings on their face and body. Their eyes can vary in color, ranging from Amber to a striking, dark blue. Despite not being recognized by the AKC, blue Pekingese are admired for their rare, ethereal beauty.

The variety of Pekingese colors is a testament to the breed's rich history and genetic diversity. Whether you're drawn to the warmth of fawn, the depth of black, the purity of white, or the uniqueness of brindle or blue, there's a Pekingese color out there for every taste. Embrace the beauty of these colors, and appreciate the Pekingese for the enchanting, diverse breed it is.