The Pekin duck originates from China, and it is a breed that has an upright stance. It is the quintessential appearance of a duck, with its white feathering and yellow bill. It is a successful breed that is very productive. They are hardy birds and put on weight quickly, although this ability can sometimes make them prone to health problems, such as lameness.

They are a very fertile breed, the females are good layers that produce around 160 eggs per year, and do not tend to go broody. Pekin ducks have a docile temperament, are easy to look after and can become very tame, yet they are one of the noisier duck breeds. They also make good guard ducks that will call a warning if disturbed. They are active foragers that enjoy eating many garden pests, and they require enough water to bathe in. Mature birds weigh around 3.6 kg.