There are many words which can be used to describe the personality of a Pekingese, but some of the most commonly heard words are aggressive, stubborn and obstinate. A Pekingese can be a very jealous and possessive little dog; often the jealousy manifests itself in displays of aggression. The dog can be aggressive toward other dogs or people coming to visit their home.

Most dogs will easily adjust and enjoy socializing with other dogs, the same cannot be said of the Pekingese, and the dog is a hard nut to crack. The Pekingese breed may at some point become tolerant of other dogs in the home; however, it is usually only displayed towards littermates or a dog that has been present for a long period of time. If a Pekingese does get along with another dog, it is not something that will happen quickly or easily.

A Pekingese can be very non-threatening to people because of their small size, however the breed picks up on this fact and will act out and display a large ego in response. This is a dog that demands respect from the owner and will do whatever necessary to obtain the respect. The dog is extremely jealous and prone to aggression towards any threatening party. The Pekingese prefers to bond to one person and readily chooses the object of their affection, in fact the dog decides early on who they like and who they do not. The dog is extremely loyal to its owner, and may snap or growl if another person tries to discipline them.

The Pekingese is a veritable lap dog and love being with their owners. The dog does not take well to being told "no," and will not often do something they are told to do. Many owners have testified that their Pekingese will growl at them if they tried to make them do something against their will.

The breed is very loyal to the owner and protective of their household, making them an ideal for home protection; however, the dogs do tend to be overly aggressive as a watchdog. The dog seems to have an inferiority complex and will readily stand their ground and fight to be noticed and get attention.

Many breeders decline to sell Pekingese to people who have small children in the home because of the dog's unpredictable tendencies. In some cases, if a child is not properly taught, many of them think of a Pekingese as a toy or like a doll and will not handle them gently. In some cases, a Pekingese just does not adjust well to a household with small children.

Anyone thinking about purchasing a Pekingese for a family pet should enroll the dog in some basic obedience classes. The dog will make a great pet, but needs to be firmly disciplined and shown what acceptable behavior is. Unlike other dog breeds, a Pekingese will not work to be a people-pleaser, unless it is in their best interest. Many Pekingese owners find their independent nature to be one of the breeds most endearing qualities.