The government of Gibraltar chose the Pekingese as the dog to grace this unusual coin. The close-up of the dog's face clearly shows the long, silky hair and the pug nose that this small, short-legged dog is so easily recognized by. The Pekingese is regarded as a loyal, non-aggressive dog that is particularly good with children. These dogs, long considered sacred in China, were known in ancient China by these three different names, Lion Dog, Sun Dogs, and Sleeve Dog. The Lion Dog appellation was due to its large fronts, thick coats, and thin hind ends. The dogs with the shiny red coats were called Sun Dogs. The name Sleeve Dog came about because this was a very small version of the Pekingese who was carried about in the huge puffy sleeves of the people in the imperial palace. If one these pure dogs was stolen the punishment was death. It is vague as to the year or date of origin but they can be traced as far back as the Tang Dynasty in the eighth century.