PEKINGESE THE
1. Where do you live? What do you do “outside” of dogs? 2. In popularity, the Pekingese is currently ranked #92 out of 195 AKC-recognized breeds. Do you hope this will change or are you comfortable with his placement? 3. Do these numbers help or hurt the breed? 4. Can you characterize the distinctive rolling gait of the Pekingese? 5. This is a colorful breed. Which are the most challenging colors to breed? To show? 6. What is the biggest misconception about the Pekingese? 7. What special challenges do breeders face in our current eco- nomic and social climate? 8. At what age do you start to see definite signs of show-worthi- ness (or lack thereof)? 9. What is the most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind? 10. What’s the best way to attract newcomers to your breed and to the sport? 11. What is your ultimate goal for the breed? 12. What is the biggest misconception about the Pekingese? 13. What is your favorite dog show memory? 14. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? Please elaborate.
Which are the most challenging colors to breed and show? The most challenging color coats to show are white and black because the judge can’t see the distinct features. Probably one of the hardest colors to breed is what I would call a pure red fawn. The biggest misconception about the Pekingese? That they’re not as sturdy dog, that they’re just a lap dog. This is a very sturdy, happy, active little dog that loves to walk, loves to play. In other words, people think it’s an elitist lap type dog. No, no, no, no. They love to run and play. Does the average person on the street recognize the breed? No, because they’re not well known. Their personality is not well known. It’s looked at or viewed as a dog for older people that have a few pennies. In other words, a wealthy person’s lap dog. What special challenges do breeders face in our current econom- ic and social climate? Pekinese are not self whelping, okay? Ninety percent of the dogs have to be C-section. Depending on what region of the country you live in, a C-section can run $500 to several thou- sand dollars. They’re expensive dogs to breed. Also, their monthly maintenance is difficult, such as grooming to keep up with. Because if you go to a groomer nowadays, at least in the Northeast, it’s $65-75 a groom and the average person cannot afford that. I can’t afford it. At what age do I start to see definite signs of show-worthiness? Two and a half to three years. The most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind? Their structure is a pear-shaped body with the major- ity of weight going to the front. A lot of judges don’t realize that. When you’re judging a Pekingese you should lift them up so you can feel that weight in the front pear shape of the body. What’s the best way to attract newcomers to my breed and to the sport? By being inclusive. My ultimate goal for the breed? That people realize what a charming, lovely, delightful breed this is, and that more people desire to become owners of the Pekingese. It’s a lovely breed. My favorite dog show memory? I have had several winners in Pekingese at Westminster. My first winner was Grand Champion Pequest One Moment in Time. When he won Award of Merit at Westminster I was thrilled. Having been brought up near New York, to me the epitome of shows is still Westminster. I have had now under Celebrations Pekingese at least five Westminster win- ners, and that’s a fantastic memory. My last one was in 2016. My one little female, Peppermint Patty, took Best of Opposite Sex. I also remember laying on my bathroom floor. I bought my first foundation bitch from Bert Easton over in Scotland. I free whelped my foundation bitch and I can’t tell you the thrill it was to see those three little puppies be born that night, and luckily she was able to deliver. I’d also like to share that David Fitzpatrick, Pequest Pekingese, has been my mentor through all of this. I’ve been so lucky to have had such an icon of the breed by my side. Malachy, his dog that won Westminster [2012], is the stud or the father of all my dogs except for my foundation bitch. I have in my home Malachy’s very last lit- ter before he died. They turn two in August. I have decided, by the way, not to show them for the simple reason I wanted to experience puppies growing up.
DOROTHY COOPER Celebrations Pekingese
I live in Northern New Jersey near the New York state border. I’m a retired educator and I’ve actually published three educational books. I’m also active in local politics. As a child, and as a young adult, my family and I were active in horse showing, animal sports. And then, I relocated to Ten- nessee, then I came back after about 12 years to New Jersey. And then, my little chocolate Poodle died, so I went to the local shelter and there was the most beautiful little four-year-old brindle fawn Pekingese. My daughter, who was seven at the time, and I adopt- ed the dog. That was the beginning of the end. That was back in 1987, when I became involved with the Pekingese. So I came into it through rescue. I volunteer at different organizations like the Children’s Dia- betic Association in the county I also support. My family has pick- your-own farms, one in New York state and one in New Jersey. So I support the family businesses. My true passion is the rescue of the Pekingese breed and Peke mixes. This takes the majority of my time. Do I hope the breed’s popularity will change or am I com- fortable with the placement? I’m not comfortable with it at all in the sense that 360 approximate AKC registrations took place in 2019 and if this continues, this would indicate that the breed is dwindling. Do these numbers help or hurt the breed? It hurts the breed. Can I characterize the distinctive rolling gait of the Pekingese? It’s like watching the ocean. If you’re behind a Peke, it’s like watch- ing the waves come in and out because it goes to a left-to-right roll and it’s very distinct. It’s the ocean wave.
164 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2020
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