Pekingese Breed Magazine - Showsight

PEKINGESE Q&A

a sweet spot there that secures the future of the breed in a way that honors its history. My favorite memory was the day I earned a Championship title on my first Pekingese. Friends that had been following my quest for those final points erupted in applause when the judge made the placement, and I was beaming from ear to ear! MELANIE MARSHALL I live in Canton,

vulnerability to activists that don’t understand our breed. I cannot emphasize enough that Pekingese in the US, from reputable breed- ers, are generally quite healthy. At what age do I start to see definite signs of show-worthiness? I take note of what I see on the first day of a pup’s life. Any sig- nificant features get noted so that I can see how they develop out. Then I wait and watch. Pekingese change so much that it can be a challenge to truly know what you’ve got. A very promising puppy can fully fall apart by adulthood, and an ugly puppy can turn into an elegant adult. While making note of significant developments, I really do a full analysis around four months to see what has trans- pired. The qualities that weren’t looking so promising may not have had positive development, and the qualities that were intriguing may have found some prominence. And I always seek the opinions of breeders that I trust to keep me focused on what’s developing well—that second set of eyes has not been tainted by seeing the puppies day in and day out. I think it’s easier to see when a puppy is not going to be show-worthy than when it is. High legs, long necks, long bodies, small heads—the odds of these getting better with age are minimal, whereas the promising ones could have a growth spurt and go from compact wonders to tubular shaped pets. The most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind? They are dogs, and should have the soundness of all dogs to live the healthy, happy lives that all dogs deserve the right to live. Correct structure, correct movement, and everything in moderation are really key. There are characteristics to this breed that make it special and unique, but not one of those characteristics should override the others in a way that impacts the dog’s sound- ness. Understand and honor the standard for the way it addresses history, form, and health. The best way to attract newcomers to my breed and to the sport? Newcomers to the breed can be intimidated by the grooming needs of the full show coat. Someone who wants a great companion that doesn’t need extensive exercise could well benefit from a loving Peke. Those people would benefit from understanding that Pekes can have a great time fully shaved down, or be Instagram adorable in a lion clip. A Peke can fit into someone’s life without needing to be coiffed in full show coat. But for those that want to show, the maintenance of the show coat is not daunting. It requires con- sistency and persistence, but so would the appropriate condition- ing of any other dog. Grooming time with a Pekingese can be an extraordinary bonding experience for human and dog. Embrace the bonding time and don’t see it as a chore. Once people move beyond the intimidation of grooming, then the fancy has an obligation to be open, receptive, and welcoming to those who really want to learn about our Lion Dogs. The peculiarities of the breed require strong mentorship to fully appreciate and understand. Showing a Peking- ese to its full potential is an art form in presenting the nuances in the best way possible. In my experience, Pekingese exhibitors/ breeders have been very welcoming to newcomers. We love our breed, and would relish the opportunity to share beloved Pekes with anyone who wants to learn more. My ultimate goal for the breed? I would love to see our breed gain ground in its position and prominence in pop culture. I’m not certain that the health of the breed would be serviced by the prominence that we once had—Pekingese used to be so popular that they were frequently front-page news! But an increase in popu- larity would secure the future for this ancient breed. There could be some remarkable opportunities for the breed to be in the top 10, but there would also be some dangerous drawbacks in unethical breeders asserting themselves into the void between demand and supply. Focusing on the baby steps: I would love to see the breed back in the top 50, and then for quality and consistency of breeders to sustain the ability for the breed to move into the top 30. There’s

Michigan. I am a busi- ness owner of Preferred Paralegal Services Inc. and I handle estates and trusts for local attorneys. Do I hope the breed’s popularity will change or am I comfortable with the placement? This little dog attracts a

special kind of people who love the little lion dogs, are willing to cater to the grooming, have a cooler house, and have a quieter envi- ronment. They won’t fit in with everyone’s lifestyle. For me it was love at first sight. I rescued a Pekingese puppy back in 1987 that, unfortunately, came from a puppy mill and died at the age of nine months. Since then, I have always had Pekingese in my life. My lifestyle, and the lifestyle needs of my Pekingese, sort of merged at some point along the way. I think that’s how it happens for a new owner. Does the breed’s current ranking help or hurt the breed? I believe the breed has a loyal following. We have just enough breed- ers to keep it going strong, and just enough Pekingese owners out there who will always come back for another puppy when the time is right for them. I enjoy taking our dogs out in public and introduce them to families and children. You never know where that brief interaction with my dogs may lead them down the road. I think it’s important to show people the breed; most people won’t see a Pekingese very often. If they have a good experience meeting my dogs, they may remember it when it’s time to pick a puppy for their family. What special challenges do breeders face in our current eco- nomic and social climate? The pandemic may have made it more difficult to place puppies with travel restrictions and social distanc- ing. It’s also difficult to socialize upcoming show prospects. We can practice at home with the sounds of a dog show from YouTube, but the experience isn’t the same. We’ve been taking the four-month- old puppies to the park for some show practice, I think that will help the most. Puppies with highly outgoing personalities will most likely still shine in the show ring. At what age do I start to see definite signs of show-worthiness? Twelve to 16 weeks, if not sooner. This is my first litter, and I have made a future note to myself that I should not promise or part with any puppy much sooner than 16 weeks to evaluate their show quali- ties. I believe by then, I have made my choices. I’m pretty confident in my ability to choose my next show puppy. In this process, I also evaluate their personalities, because I will be able to show an out- going, confident puppy with a natural show ability much longer than a puppy with a reserved and stubborn personality that will be unhappy in the ring or refuses to walk. What is the most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind? I like to go over the table exam with a new judge. It’s easier for me to show someone what to look for than explain it. I have helped a few new judges in training with the table exam. Here’s my best description of table examination: Go to the head; envelope-shaped face, correct jaw, round dark eyes, good

SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2020 | 167

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