Pekingese Grooming - Face & Head

Face & Head

Admittedly, a face is not something a Pekingese has much of. But the fact that it's smushed is quite problematic because it makes it very easy for dirt and tears to accumulate. This can cause all kinds of infections and irritations, making cleaning the face a necessary daily task. You just want to clean out any dirt and tears, particularly in the fold and around the eyes, by gently wiping with a damp cloth or cotton ball. Don't use any cleaning agents on the face! Just plain water.

Also clean the ears once a week with an ear cleaning product. Squeeze a couple of drops onto a cotton ball and rub gently along the inside of the ear. Be careful not to let any of the solution get into his ear canal. Generally, the bottle will give you any other instructions needed for the particular product.

Pet groomers may also recommend pulling out the little hairs inside the ears. Personally I don't like doing this because when they grow back in a few months, they do so in all directions and can well tickle the dog to insanity. It's up to you whether to pluck them or not, but I warn that your dog may not able to stop scratching his ears when the tiny new ones grow back in.

Finally, clean your dog's teeth. You can clean his teeth with some dog toothpaste (dogs don't spit, so human toothpaste isn't a good idea) and a piece of regular gauze. How often depends on what your dog eats. Kibble, bones, and other hard edible products will keep the teeth relatively clean, so once a week. If these aren't a part of the dog's regular diet, you may need to do it daily. If you get any buildup that wont rub off, take the dog to a vet for a good tooth cleaning.

For a comprehensive step by step guide, see Grooming Your Dog at Home.

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