Welsh Kennel Club

Welsh Kennel Club 2024, Pekingese

Thanks go to the officers and committee of the Welsh Kennel Club for inviting me to judge their Championship Show, an appointment that was put back due to covid making it approx 6 years since I last judged the breed. Since that appointment there has been a significant decline in exhibitors which has reflected on the quality of dogs not only in the ring but clearly in the gene pool. Societies and clubs need to prioritise breed specialists to fulfil their appointments to ensure breeds don’t lose type as it is the long-standing, successful breeders/exhibitors that can cast the most experienced eye over a breed. Health and temperament was good but lack of size, shape and substance in the bitches is alarming. The breed standard states “surprisingly heavy when lifted” most were not and this is due to lack of bone and barrel ribs. Too many sat on top of their legs rather than being slung between. Over both sexes roach backs were to be found too often and as this is one of my pet hates I scrutinised them for this undesirable trait. All but one exhibit showed which was testing for the Pekes as a toilet door was constantly banging in what is a very unforgiving venue for this type of noise. My principle winners were as follows. Dog CC and BOB, Shaw, Mee & Ransome’s, Pekehuis Pure Magic, a small lionlike clear red dog with a captivating expression, large dark eyes with excellent wide open nostrils set between, loved his superb finish of mouth and the width between his perfectly set ears emphasizing his broad top skull, he is of sound front and rear and has enough body for his frame. His back was perfectly flat and led to a high set on tail. He scored for me on not being exaggerated in anyway and drew my eye constantly when standing there sporting his correctly fitted coarse coat and his aloof regal demeanour. RDCC Leonard’s, Ch.Lizlanmor King of Diamonds, Impressive male who has much to offer the breed with regards to construction and soundness, large barrel ribs well let down between his forelegs which were sitting tight into his body, perfectly level back, high set tail with well angulated sound rear. Although obviously bigger overall than my DCC still surprisingly heavy when lifted. Clearly a dominant sire in the making as his son, my junior dog winner was bodily a clone of his father. Two very different types to have to compare for the CC and RCC but separated them on my preference for lesser coat and ideal finish of mouth. BCC Rogers, Ralshsms Lady Ma Donna, the only bitch on the day with any real size to her, I was worried that when she entered the ring I’d go to examine her and she’d bend in the middle when lifted like so many that appear to have a good size frame but fortunately she did not. She has good pigment, nice dark eyes and good ear set. Her front was tight and she had forechest. Her back was level and her hind quarters firm. She carried the correct amount of harsh textured coat. She moved steadily around the ring. RBCC & BP, Driscoll & Aldred’s, Rickenny’s Pheobe, almost 12 months old and inbetween coats, a decent size bitch maturing well with a pleasing head, she had enough rib and a firm front and rear, level back with good tail set, not overly confident on the day but will hopefully mature to show with a little more aplomb . Attention to presentation with regard to face cleaning /drying would be beneficial going forward.

Puppy dog, 1st Shaw, Mee & Ransome’s, Pekehuis Hyperion. Pale fawn young boy with nicely spaced uncrowded facial features, sound all round with good topline, moved with great confidence for one so young.

Junior Dog, 1st Leonard’s, Witchstone Ace of Spaces. Much of the same written above about his father applies as he has inherited a lot of the same virtues, just preferred his father around the wrinkle area for the RCC.

2nd, Chng’s, Jadape Little Red Corvette, as his name implies he’s a smaller boy with not a lot of coat, however he’s an honest little boy with soundness, flat back and pleasing expression, steady mover.

3rd, Blakeway’s, Klerksoff English Crown at Bellablake

Novice Dog, 1st, Clifton’s, Hemmingway Marley At Clifcastle, impressive wide head with good pigment, lovely open nostrils and super finish of mouth, correct harsh coat, moved with confidence.

2nd, Benson & Houghton’s, Chisprite Luck Dragon.

Limit Dog, 1st, Shaw, Mee & Ransomes, Pekehuis Pure Magic. DCC

2nd, Thomas, Meritorous Forever Dreamer, loved his head and overall size, shapely body, course coat, super tail carriage, moved at the correct pace and at one with his owner.

3rd, Bensons, Chisprite Code Breaker.

Open Dog, Leonard’s, Lizlanmor King of Diamonds, RDCC

2nd, Thomas, Meritorous Welsh Whisper, handsome young dog with pleasing head and expressive eyes set in a wide shallow head, nice body shape, good harsh coat, again moved at the correct pace which was a pleasure to see.

3rd, Chng’s, Jadape Little Red Corvette.

Special Beginners Dog, Chng’s, Jadape Little Red Corvette.

Puppy Bitch, Driscoll & Aldred’s, Rickenny’s Shelby, won the class on size and substance. Her body was slung between her forelegs which were firm as was her rear, her back was level, she’s In-between coats and needs to finish in head.

2nd, Shaw, Mee & Ransome’s, Pekehuis Selene, well balanced sound little girl with sweet expression, liked her overall honesty and soundness but just wish there was more of her.

3rd, Poole’s, Kocho Shooting Star.

Junior Bitch, 1st, Driscoll & Aldred’s, Rickenny’s Pheobe, RBCC & BP

2nd, Poole’s, Kocho Dolly Daydream, impressive head with super features and pigment, good bone and correct amount of coat. Confident mover.

3rd, Waters, Jadape Solfeggio.

Novice Bitch, 1st, Clifton’s, Lizlanmor Queenie Panini At Clifcastle, Fawn bitch with relatively new exhibitor to the breed, well trained confident girl enjoying her day, sweet expression, dark eyes with good pigment just not enough of her bodily for me personally as I prefer a thick set, heavier type bitch.

Graduate Bitch, Blakeway, Rickenny’s Tigerlily At Bellablake, attractive pale fawn just under 12 months, litter sister to my rbcc winner, just not the size and substance of her litter mate but much of the same and applies, she’s well balanced has an expressive face and is certainly the most confident of the three sisters.

Limit Bitch, 1st, Rogers, Ralshams Lady Ma Donna BCC

Special Beginners Bitch, 1st, Poole’s, Kocho Shooting Star.

Judge: Anne Morley (Jidoran)