Pekarin

The Pekarin is hybrid breed made up of a combination of a Pekingese and a Cairn Terrier. Pekingese have bulging eyes and snore like freight trains but have an impeccable pedigree going back to ancient times. Also known as Lion Dog, Peking Lion Dog, Pelchie Dog, or Peke, these self-important but affectionate little dogs were cherished by the imperial family of China for centuries. The Pekingese were never even allowed to leave the palace but during the Second Opium war in 1860, the Old Summer Palace in Beijing was invaded by British and French troops. Five Pekingese were found guarding the body of an aunt of the emperor who had committed suicide. They were taken to England and given to members of the royal family including to Queen Victoria who called hers "Looty." A Pekingese club was established in Britain in 1904 and the first Pekingese registered by the American Kennel Club was in 1906. The Pekingese Club of America was formed in 1909. On the other end of the spectrum is the Cairn Terrier who was bred on the Isle of Skye in Scotland around 200 years ago to hunt rats and other vermin who were hiding in piles of stones known as cairns. They were initially grouped alongside the Scottish and West Highland White terriers but later were bred separately. The Cairn Terrier is regarded as one of the oldest terrier breeds. They were imported to the United States in 1913 where both there and in England the Cairn and the West Highland White were interbred until 1917. One of the most famous Cairn Terriers was named Terry who played Toto in the Wizard of Oz movie in 1939 with the a salary of $125 per week. The brindle Cairn also starred in the Shirley Temple movie Bright eyes.