9. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? DB: The hardest thing in any breed for any new judges and breeders alike to grasp is TYPE. Some people are very gifted with a good eye and they can pick a good dog across the room, while some people may have the same capabilities but just need some nurturing. The biggest misunderstanding I see most new judges struggle with is that the Pekingese is unlike most other breeds. It is not a generic 4-square breed, as it has many peculiar features that are highly valued. From its large shallow envelope- shaped headpieces, no neck, pear-shaped body, tiny waist and leonine coat pattern, to that effortless rolling gait that we hardly see anymore! Also, please lift the Peking- ese slightly to check for weight (or rather density) as they should be surprisingly heavy for its size when lifted. An airy-fairy or a slight-boned and slab-bodied Pekinese is not typical, and hence, has no type! Also, part of the Pekingese’s charm and characteristics is its stubbornness; so take that in consideration when you judge! Do not just put up the most well-trained/behaved Pekes in the ring, as you can overlook a more superior specimen in doing so. It is an intricate breed, but there are some outstand- ing mentors in this breed, so seek them out, pick their brains and really learn about this Oriental breed, as it is as complicated as its Chinese history! JRJ: Movement—for the most part. I see new judges (and judges that have been around for a while), putting up dogs that bounce instead of a smooth, rolling action. They reward tube-shaped bodies, also. RL: New and even older, more experienced judges can’t seem to get past the heavily coated ones, regardless of the texture or what’s underneath the coat. The one breed quality new or even long time judges cannot seem to grasp is the correct Pekingese movement. Judges put up Pekingese that run around the ring like Poms or hack- ney like Min Pins. The correct dignified rolling gait is not deemed necessary but it is part of the essence of the breed and once it disappears, the breed has essentially changed into something different, like a Tibetan Spaniel. New judges, even more experienced judges, would do well to attend the Judges Education Seminar hosted by the Pekingese Club of America during its specialty shows. The seminar shows judges how to evaluate the Pekingese from the perspective of the breed standard, including what not to do while judging Pekingese. Attendees are given handouts and even the PCA-approved Pekingese Study Guide, which is in a handy pocket-sized format to bring to judging events. CKN: I’m not sure new judges misunderstand this aspect of the breed, but until they have their hands on many correct dogs, they may not know or realize correct bone
structure and depth. I often notice that new judges are influenced by profuse, well-groomed coat—and under that entire coat the bone may be thin and straight which affects correct movement. The head of a Pekingese is also very unique in that it is described as an “envelope” head. When the standard included a scale of points, 40 points were assigned to the head. Nigel Aubrey Jones said, “The Pekingese head is the stamp of the breed and no matter how wonderfully conformed a Pekingese is or how typi- cally it moves, without a good enough head, its progress will be minimal.” MR: There are judges who are more interested in obtain- ing many breeds at one time and really don’t understand the breed. While their intentions may be a mixed bag, the common statement I hear from new judges is that they really don’t understand what comprises a good Peke. I once asked a provisional judge why they lifted a Peke exhibit and what they were trying to evaluate-the response was, “Well Annie Clark does it!” So that in a nut- shell pretty much summed it up for me—they truly did not understand the breed, nor did they take the time to learn. Listen, everyone is entitled to his or her own opin- ion, but in order to have an opinion, you must have a cer- tain amount of education. Where you get that knowledge and the usefulness of it is paramount if one is to become a qualified and competent judge. The proper movement, structure and the shape of the Pekingese head is what I hear most often from judges new to the breed. 10. Anything else you’d like to add about the breed? DB: Please judge the whole dog in its entirety, and do not get hung up on one or two features at the expense of consid- ering the whole picture. Yes, it is a head breed (and I am one big sucker for a gorgeous headpiece and expression), but do also look for a pear-shaped body, a level back, a high tailset and an effortless rolling gait! Remember the rectangular headpiece with its lustrous dark round eyes, well-cushioned cheeks and wide underjaw, remem- ber the essential tree-trunk legs for bones, remember the tanky heavy body, and remember that while it is a Toy breed, it must come housed with heavy bone and substance, and be low to ground! Please remember the function of the breed is merely to be a Royal lap/compan- ion dog, and don’t expect the Pekingese to move round a huge ring like a Sporting dog. One of the very reasons it has tight bowed legs in front is so that it can’t wonder fast and far from the Palace, so respect its history and heritage. Also always remember that as judges or breed- ers, we are evaluating breeding stocks, not awarding the best trained or handled circus dogs. Too much emphasis has been put on performance and showmanship when more should be focused on type. And the Pekingese is
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