Page 29 - ShowSight Presents The Pekingese
P. 29
“With the Pekingese,
ALL WEIGHTS ARE CORRECT WITHIN THE LIMIT OF 14 POUNDS.”
The standard is very specific in stating that the Pekingese, when lifted, is surpris- ingly heavy for its size. It is for this rea- son only that the judge must lift the dog. Some judges and exhibitors think the dog should be lifted because there is a weight disqualification over 14 pounds. There are several breeds with a weight disquali- fication and if a judge thinks a particular dog might be over the required weight, the scale should be called. With the Pekingese, all weights are correct within the limit of 14 pounds. Once again, the only reason for lifting a Pekingese is to determine that, when lifted it is surpris- ingly heavy for its size. The Pekingese should be small but surprisingly heavy with the majority of the weight in front. Gently lifting the dog a couple inches off the table will confirm this.
Because lifting the dog should be part of the table examination, it is not neces- sary to ask the exhibitor if you can lift their dog. However, to avoid surprising either the exhibitor OR the Pekingese, it would be polite to ask first so the exhibitor and the dog know what to expect. The correct way to lift the dog is to wrap your hand and forearm around the dog behind the shoulders and under the body. The other hand and arm must support the chest between the front legs. Slowly and gently
lift the dog two inches above the table. Since the majority of the weight should be in the chest, it is necessary to have your hand support the chest between the front legs. Remember always that the Pekingese should feel solid and heavy for its size.
Please Do Not
• Lift a Pekingese above your head dur- ing the examination!! This frightens the dog and certainly distorts the features and expression. The Pekingese is regal, dignified and proud and should always display this attitude.
• Ask the exhibitors to hold their dogs so you can examine the heads. Correct expression or features will not be seen on a dog that is being held. Return the dog to the table if further examination is required and remember that you may have two dogs on the table at one time if a comparison is needed.
• Teeter-totter the dog back to front on the table. The Pekingese is not accus- tomed to being treated this way.
• Stand in front of the dog and lift both front feet and legs off the table putting all the weight on the rear.
• Bend over the dog while it is on the ground to examine the head or body. Return the dog to the table if you want to examine further.
In spite of the dignified and some- what aloof attitude of the Pekingese, they are truly anxious to please and be your friend. Do enjoy meeting and judging this unique breed.
Rose Marie Katz, one of the prominent American breed-exhibitors of Pekingese in the 1950s and 60s said, “The Pekingese dog should be judged as a whole. It must pres- ent a picture of balance and type. It must be evaluated for its good points rather than torn apart for its faults. In evaluating a Pekingese, one must keep in mind that it is a toy dog of great substance and character for its small size.”
BIO
Carol Kniebusch Noe lives in Virginia and has been involved with breeding and exhibiting Pekingese since 1972. She judg- es the Toy Group, most of the Non-Sport- ing group, BIS and Juniors and has judged in England, Scotland, France and Korea. She has been president and show chair for The Shenandoah Valley Kennel Club, has served on the board of The Pekingese Club of America and is presently chair of the education committee of The Pekingese Association. The author of “The Pekingese Study Guide”, she is a professional flutist and conductor and Professor Emeritus of Music from James Madison University.
“In spite of the dignified and somewhat aloof attitude of the Pekingese,
THEY ARE TRULY ANXIOUS TO PLEASE AND BE YOUR FRIEND.”
