JRJ: I just judged a show in Reno, Nevada, over the national week. There were 83 Pekingese entered under me. I would say the breed is in excellent hands today. The breeders are doing a great job. RL: The Pekingese on the whole appear to be a very healthy breed living long lives without serious health issues. But by the very nature of being a brachycephalic breed, we should be constantly on guard against perpetrating poor breathing due to airway disease. CKN: There are some excellent Pekingese being shown today and breeders continue to be serious about studying and learning pedigrees in order to preserve the breed’s conformation. One concern I have is that many people today are not interested in the breed because of the time commitment involved in training, conditioning and grooming for the ring. MR: Having had the privilege and honor to judge three National Specialties over two decades, I can hon- estly say that the breed has rebounded with care and consideration being even to the overall structure of the Pekingese rather than the profuse coat of years past. This resurgence can only be attributed to savvy and knowl- edgeable breeders who recognize the importance of a well-bred dog. 7. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? DB: The Pekingese is an exaggerated by the sheer virtue that it is an achondroplastic brachycephalic breed anyway. But as guardians of the breed, we must keep watch not to allow certain features to become so over-exaggerated that it can hinder health or normal daily well-beings of the dogs. I have seen some over-finished, heavy-sausage- over-nose wrinkle drooping and covering part of the nose leather to which I object. Not only is that unhealthy, I also find it unsightly, as a beautiful headed Pekingese should have an open face with all its facial features in correct plains and spacing. Some coat can be so massive that it actually obscure the shape of the body, and I find that distasteful instead of impressive. JRJ: Long bodies without shape; too heavy of nose wrinkles. RL: I have observed that some lines have been producing exaggerated cheek leather leading to the excess leather hanging over the lower jaw and obscuring the chin leading to a Hound-like look. We should instead breed for wide open faces with features that are not crowded. Another trait that seems to be coming into vogue is the square or reversed rectangular face, higher than wide. Again, this is not correct. A wide rectangular head should be the goal which also lends itself to an open face with eyes wide apart and well-cushioned cheeks compliment- ed by a wide underjaw.
CKN: Many breeder and exhibitors continue to strive for more and more coat. A profuse coat is impressive in the ring and is often rewarded regardless of what is under the coat. In the previous standard where points were assigned, coat was only 10 points out of 100. Judges should continue to examine for correct body structure and the coat should be the frosting on the cake. Unfortu- nately, some new exhibitors in the sport observe the pro- fuse coat, realize how much care and upkeep is required and avoid involvement in the breed as a result. MR: There is nothing out of the ordinary that strikes me at this point in time. I truly feel that the breeders are being true to the standard and have become very conscientious about the overall essence of the Pekingese. 8. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? Why or why not? DB: I am not sure I can solidly commit, and say the dogs are truly better today than a few years ago when I started judging. But I am confident to say that the culture and camaraderie of the breed in America is better today than say 5 or 6 years ago when it was in a major upheaval. Like any other breeds, we have a few key breeders who are the backbone, and the leaders in producing generation after generation of prime stock of quality. It is definitely not an easy breed, so kudos to these breeders who continue to bring these top-notch dogs to represent the breed so that the newcomers and new judges can appre- ciate what type and quality mean in Pekingese. JRJ: Yes, they are better now than when I first started judg- ing in 1990; more pear shape to the bodies and much better head conformation. RL: In the past, we had many knowledgeable breeders who produced beautiful specimens of the breed. Nowadays, breeders seem to think breeding to the top-winning dog is all that matters regardless of the qualities of their bitch. The results show what this mentality can do to the breed. Over the past 20 years, my opinion is that we have not improved on the past. CKN: I would say that there is a difference in type or style but I wouldn’t call it better or worse—just different. It is similar to style or trends in clothes or fashion. MR: Oh yes! Absolutely! When I first started judging it was all about who could produce the most profuse coat and it ended there, with little regard to the structure of the breed. The Pekes were leggy and had inferior rear quarters. They actually gave the appearance of having neurological issues. The wry mouths were present in many exhibits as were the small nares of the nose. It was evident that respiratory issues were quite prevalent in the breed and excessive trimming was rampant.
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