Scottish Kennel Club

The Scottish KC (May) Championship Show 2024 Pekingese

I would like to thank the Scottish Kennel Club for this invitation to judge one of my favourite breeds and one I have now lived with for over 15 years. With the ‘double’ Championship Shows then Pekingese ring was very busy and I am very grateful for the support of my stewards for helping keep things moving; we finished right on time. Most of all, I want to thank the exhibitors for giving both myself and the society such a super entry.

I thought there was a real depth of quality in both dogs and bitches and I am optimistic for the future of the breed based on today’s entry.

I felt honoured that so many of the breeds established and highly respected breeders brought their dogs for me to assess. I had to ‘rank’ the dogs in each class based on their merits and performance on the day. Some very typical Pekingese sadly did not make the top two in their classes but it is not to say they were not worthy of their historic wins. We all have our own priorities when we judge and certain aspects of the breed standard that are our non-negotiable ‘must haves’. Of course, health and soundness have to always be the top priority for all judges. For me, I then want a short back and long rib to ensure the spine can support that wide deep chest. I then prioritise a wide front with short thick legs wrapped around well spring ribs. Today’s principle winners all possessed these key attributes.

Puppy Dog (3,0) What a good start to the day to be faced with three lovely male pups. At first glance you can see they are all at different stages of development which I knew would create my first real challenge of the day.

1st Blakeway’s Klerkshof of English Crown At Bellablake. This 11 month old had real presence and no mistaking he was a male. He has a large head which is slightly wider than deep. Flat skull with good ear placement. Round eyes set well apart and a lovely expression. Nose a little prominent but healthy, open nostril and no signs of any breathing difficulties stood or on the move. Enough width of underjaw to enhance the shallowness of his head. He has a fabulous front which is text book and the reason he won the class. Tight at elbow and slightly bowed, thick legs wrapped around his deep chest; lovely bone. Picked up nice and heavy with correct weight distribution. He was short, cobby and compact. He was in full puppy coat but still had a defined mane and waist. For me, he had the best width and most typical confirmation in front which ensured he moved with a dignified roll. No hesitation in awarding him the class. 2nd Shaw, Mee and Ransome’s Pekehuis Hyperion. A different style to the winner and presenting classic breed type that had to be recognised and rewarded. He is an ideal size for a male and not over-coated; texture a little silky at present. He has such a correct head being wide, shallow and has a perfect envelope shape. Lustrous dark round eyes set well apart. Good nose placement and clear, open nostrils. Picked up well. Just preferred the forequarter construction and associated rolling gait of the winner. 3rd Klerks-Delucchi’s Klerkshof English Monarch.

Junior Dog (1,0) 1st Morley’s Lizlanmor Nevison. On his own today but I am confident he would stand out in any company. Loved his size, his short, compact body and he picked up so heavy. Wide, shallow head, flat skull and high set ears framing his face beautifully. Loved his expression with dark round eyes set well apart. Big feet and thick bone. Width and depth to his chest. Elbows tight to his rib cage and wrapping round his chest nicely. Feet just turning out slightly. Immaculately presented with a coat of excellent texture; an impressive mane and defined waste. Impressive on the move with his dignified rolling gait.

Post Graduate Dog (3,0)

1st Morley & Hitchcock’s Lizlanmor Declaration. Another beautiful dog from this kennel so very ably handled by the youngest member of the team which is so encouraging to see. A slightly larger dog but he is so well made and picks up heavy. Loved his thick bone and super wide front. His head has width and is nice and shallow. He has a clean nose of good size with healthy open nostrils. Lovely dark round eyes and uncrowded features giving a most appealing expression. Not quite as compact as I like but he has a level, firm back. His coat is of excellent harsh texture although I would like a little more mane to complete the picture. Moved at a dignified pace displaying the desired roll in front.

2nd Roberts’ Wyn-D-Hill Fabulous Frankie At Klerkshof (Imp USA). A different style to the winner. An ideal size for a male. Displaying classic overall type. Not quite as masculine as the winner. Shallow head with good width. Uncrowded features with super nose with open nostrils and neat wrinkle. Dark round eyes set well apart. He has very impressive forequarters with enough width to chest and tight elbows allowing him to move with desired roll. Coat not as harsh in texture as the winner. 3rd Thomas’s Meritorious Forever Dreamer.

Limit Dog (7,0). A class full of quality exhibits. 1st Morley’s Klerkshof We Will Rock You at Lizlanmor. This boy has it all and I couldn’t get past him for the top award in this closely contested class and such a close decision for the CC. Super overall balance and shape stood and on the move. His head is beautiful, wide and shallow with a flat skull and ears set correctly. He has an enchanting expression with the best large dark eyes set well apart. His nose is clean with open nostril and nose wrinkle neat. Another with text book front. Thick legs wrapped around his chest and strength to is pasterns. Large feet just turning out slightly to provide maximum support for his body. His chest has width and depth. Short neck and compact in body with level back. His coat texture is harsh and he was presented to perfection. Very impressive on the move. Sound behind and such a typical roll moving at exactly the right pace for the breed. Picks up heavy. Congratulations to the breeder and owners – I loved him and think he is more than worthy of a champion title; today he had to settle for the RCC to his kennel mate. 2nd Shaw, Mee and Ransome’s Pekehuis Pure Magic. 16 months and not quite as outgoing as the winner and seemed a little unsettled on the move. He is a perfect size for a male. He has a beautiful head with classic breed features and his type had to be rewarded in this strong class. Large round dark eyes and excellent nose placement with open nostril and the neatest wrinkle. Lovely width to his head which is nice and shallow with a firm chin which enhanced the overall picture. An ideal size and not over coated with obvious mane and defined waist. I would just like a harsher coat texture. 3rd Cockshott’s Livanda Valentino.

Open Dog (3,0)

A perfect example of the point I made in my introduction where the dog I placed 3rd is a lovely CC worthy Pekingese. He is a super size and has the most beautiful head and expression.

1st Morley & Hitchcock’s Lizlanmor King Of Hearts. This dog may not be as glamourous as some of his peers but he is very difficult to fault from not only a type but also a construction perspective. He is ‘all of a piece’ and so well balanced. The first line of the breed standard epitomises this dog “Small, well-balanced, moderately thick set with great dignity and quality”. He is an ideal size and is short in body with width all through. There is no exaggeration in his head. Beautiful dark round eyes set well apart. Super healthy nose with open nostril. Very tidy unexaggerated nose roll. Flat skull and ears set perfectly to frame his face. Short thick neck. Short level back with tail set high and laid flat on his back at all times. Like the other dogs I judged today from this kennel he too has the very best forequarters. Thick, short front legs with large round feet with slight turn out. Elbows close to his ribs. Width to his chest and well spring ribs. He has excellent muscle tone and strength to his hindquarters with firm hocks. His coat is the correct harsh texture and emphasises his overall shape perfectly. Lovely lion-like mane and clearly defined waist. Such a collected dog on the move with his typical slow, dignified rolling gait. Against serious competition he just ticks too many boxes not to win the Dog CC & BOB today. 2nd Oades & Evan’s Brentoy Zander. An impressive 6 year old black dog put down in super condition with jet black, gleaming coat which was a little softer than the winners coat. Just the right amount of coat to create a lion-like mane, a defined waist and well feathered tail. His head is very special indeed with all the classic virtues. No over-crowding of features with width to his flat skull. His head is shallow and his neat and tidy nose roll make that desired perfect envelope shape. Good width to his underjaw. Fabulous dark round eyes. Healthy broad nose with open nostril. Short, thick neck and level back. Wide chest with short thick legs wrapping around his well spring ribs. He moves confidently with required roll in front. He is compact enough and balanced stood but just lengthens in back compared to the winner on the move. Another CC worthy dog. 3rd Thomas’s Meritorious Welsh Whisper.

Puppy Bitch (4,2)

1st Shaw, Mee and Ransome’s Pekehuis Selene. I was most impressed with this pretty young lady. She is just 7 months but very self-assured and put on a first-rate performance. She was particularly impressive on the move. She is of classic breed type and another with such typical head characteristics from this famous kennel. No exaggeration at all with super expression and uncrowded features. She has beautiful dark round eyes with perfect broad nose with open nostrils placed perfectly. Such a neat and tidy nose roll. Shallow head with lovely width and nice firm chin. Her puppy coat is developing well for her age with mane already evident and defined waist with feathering to her tail. She picks up well with correct weight distribution to the front given she is a smaller framed bitch. BPB, BPIB and later Puppy Group 3.

2nd Patterson & Patterson’s Jadape The Bells Are Blue with Bratilda. Looking a little immature in body compared to the winner but another pretty girl. I liked her head and expression with width all through and nice and shallow with firm chin. Her eyes are big and round and set well apart. Broad nose with open nostril. Ear set level with the top of her flat skull. Finer boned and a little narrow all through at present. Coat well developed for her age with nice mane and shape to her waist with well feathered tail. Still puppy coat but some evidence of harsher coat coming through. Moved confidently.

Junior Bitch (1,0) 1st Morley’s Lizlanmor Essence Of Pearl. My notes say “just beautiful”. I was totally captivated by this very special bitch that I would give my right arm to own. She has everything in the right place and even at 13 months she could never be over-looked. Her head is divine’ so wide and shallow. Open unexaggerated features. Large dark enchanting eyes set well apart. Broad nose with open nostril and perfectly placed with very neat nose roll. Width to her underjaw. Lovely short neck. She is short and compact with a flat, firm back. Really good strength and condition to her hindquarters. Her coat has such a super harsh texture already which emphasises her mane and her waist. Presented to perfection. She has length of rib, her waist is narrow and her loins short. If they are made right they move right and she has the very best front assembly. Correct low slung body with width and depth to chest and good spring of rib. Short thick legs wrapped around her ribs. Big round front paws just turn out slightly with strong pasterns to support her weight. She picks up perfectly, as Andrew Brace once wrote like ‘a concrete pear’. She was little over-enthusiastic at times on the move but when settled (and behaving) she has a perfect dignified, rolling gait in front. What was not to like?........cobby, solid as a rock, picked up heavy, thick bone and that melting expression. Had to be my CC winner. Just lost out to the foot-perfect performance of the Dog CC winner in the challenge for BOB.

Limit Bitch (4,0)

1st Cockshott & Livesey’s Happy At Tuggrya of Ming Mara. She just had to be head of this strong class as she is quite beautiful. I am amazed that she is not already a Champion. She looks mature and regal. Her head is glorious and those eyes are exquisite and she looks right through you. Large dark and round; set well apart. There is no exaggeration in her head features whatsoever. Broad nose with open nostril and neat un-obstructive nose roll. Super shallow head with width all through. Lovely flat top of head and high set ears framing her face with lovely fringes. She has a short, thick neck and level back with tail set high and laying perfectly flat on her back when stood. Nice and short and compact; creates a balanced picture overall. She has a super front. It is wide and tight at the elbow with legs wrapped around her wide chest and excellent spring of rib. She picks up heavy with correct weight distribution to the front. Presented to perfection with a harsh coat evident and just enough to still be glamorous without being over-coated. Lovely mane and defined waist. Coming towards she is an absolute joy with such a typical wide front creating the perfect rolling gait. She just lacked a little confidence on the move today and seemed unhappy with the environment so dropped her tail intermittently which was a shame. Still more than sufficient merits for this class win and more. The nod for the CC went to the young junior bitch who just had the edge in confidence but as the RCC card says I definitely deemed her to have sufficient merit to carry the title of Champion.

2nd Waters’ Jadape Raindrops On Roses. What a lovely mature lady; so dignified and regal. She is totally unexaggerated in her breed type and confirmation. Perhaps not the most glamourous and I fear perhaps sometimes overlooked but she is hard to fault and ticks so many boxes making her more than CC worthy. She has lovely head and expression with dark round eyes set well apart. Flat skull and ears set at the same level with good fringing. Neat nose roll and open nostril. Short neck with strong level back and high set tail which is well feathered and she carries well at all times. Picks up really heavy for her size. On the move she is all of a piece and clearly has a special relationship with her owner/handler showing that typical Pekingese loyalty and devotion. 3rd Klerks-Delucchi’s Klerkshoff Starina.

Open Bitch (2,0) 1st Rogers’ Ch Klerkshof Sara at Ralshams. A very worthy Champion and an example of a bitch with classic breed type. She has a very nice head. Shallow, wide head piece with large lustrous dark round eyes set well apart. Smaller nose with neat nose roll. Flat skull between her high set ears with good fringing creating a perfect frame to her face. Her neck is thick and short ensuring she has that typical forward-facing gaze. Her back has straight and is level. Coat fully mature but not the harshness of texture of my two principle winners. Still creates a lion-like mane and she has a very well-defined waist. Some width to her chest and as such she moves with a slight roll. Lovely muscle tone and condition throughout. Looked a picture of health. 2nd Klerks-Delucchi’s Klerkshof Country Rose. Another beautiful bitch who makes a compact overall shape and is very well balanced. Another fabulous head; the shape of an envelope and with a super expression. Large dark round eyes and broad, well-placed nose. Width through with good underjaw. Flat skull with ears set high framing the face perfectly. Coat of harsher texture than the winner with defined mane and obvious waist. Short neck and level back. Picks up lovely and heavy; just right for her size. Just not the front of my other principle winners. Not the performance of the winner today.

Andrew Leonard (Judge)