Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

PEKINGESE

I have lived with this breed now for nearly 20 years and started judging the breed once I had attended Liz Stannard’s Breed Seminar Presentation (which remains one of the best educational events I have ever attended and a must for anyone wanting to understand the technical nuances of the Pekingese). I was delighted to pass the Judges Competency Assessment. I was further honoured to receive my first invitation to judge a Club Open Show shortly after. Our first Pekingese was Palacegarden Mahler. He was a beautiful dog of exceptional size, shape and breed type and he allowed us to fully appreciate the breed standard as he lorded it around the house. We were fortunate to have Geoffrey Davies (Genderlee) as our primary mentor together with the support of Jean & Jim Smith (Palacegarden) and later Ann Morley (Jidoran). Mahler was a consistent winner as a puppy with the highlight being his BPIS win at Three Counties Championship Show. We lost Mahler quietly in his sleep at the end of COVID. More recently we were fortunate to be given the opportunity to buy two more beautiful Pekingese both of which have had great success in the show ring winning numerous RCC’s, Breed Club ‘Best in Shows’ and both gained their Champion titles last year.

I write this introduction knowing Pekingese breeders and exhibitors always say they prefer a ‘breed specialist’ judge with my Pekingese experience outlined above and I would like to think I now qualify for this label. I have to say I was disappointed with the numerically poor entry at Darlington albeit it was the same as last year.

I would like to thank the Officers & Committee for the invitation. Despite the low entry we were not short of quality at all and I thank the exhibitors who valued my opinion and entered. Thankfully for the society my ETT entry compensated being much higher than the last few years.

Pekingese are probably one of the most technical of all breeds to judge; a difficult task compounded by the thick double coat which can hide a myriad of attributes (both good and bad) which one will never appreciate from the ring side.

I was sorry that we were forced to rush due to the length of time that was taken to judge the first breed allocated to our ring. Pekingese really deserve an average 3 minutes per dog given the importance of the hands-on and the unique ring procedures, sadly that was not possible today. I would encourage all societies to schedule Pekingese to start well before 12 noon to allow the BOB winner to attend their compulsory vet check with a break for the handler and exhibit before the Group.

Thankfully the Groups waited for the BOB winner and the BPIB before short-lists were chosen for which we were all most appreciative.

PD (1,0) 1st MORLEY, Miss E Londer Black Infinity At Lizlanmor. A 10 month old black beauty who had instant appeal. First things I wrote were “small, wide & short…..solid as a rock”. But it got better. He has a beautiful head. It is wide and shallow. His skull is flat. His ears are set high and frame his face. Darkest round eyes set well apart; full of personality. Clean nose with neat unobtrusive wrinkle. Fabulous width to his underjaw and teeth neatly aligned. Super short neck and well laid shoulders. Front legs are thick and wrap round his wide chest perfectly with slight turn out of his big feet to create balance. Strong level back. Tail carried neatly over his back with feathering developing well. He has well- muscled hind quarters with strong low hocks. His black coat is thick, plush and shining with his harsh adult coat already coming through. Ears fringes coming along nicely. Picks up so heavy for such a small dog with weight all to the front. Really impressive on the move despite the ground conditions. Slow and calm, showing drive from his hocks and then the very typical rolling gait in front. Would gladly award him a CC but just lost out to his very impressive and fully mature kennel-mate. RCC & BPIB

JD (2,0) 1st COCKSHOTT, Mrs Laura Livanda Georgio. A larger young man just out of puppy, with an impressive profuse coat presented to perfection. His head has width and is nice and shallow; flat between his high set, well fringed ears. Black mask with dark, round eyes set well apart; just showing slight white of eye. Healthy black shiny nose with open nostril. Width to his underjaw. Super short neck and well laid shoulders. Would prefer his front legs a little thicker and wider apart. Elbows could be closer to his body which could fill as he matures. Good spring of rib and short loin. Level back with high set tail carried perfectly over his back with long feathering. His thick coat is harsh to touch and immaculate. Large mane and showing some definition of waist. Showed strength to is low hocks. Moved in a slow dignified manner and very sound going away. Would just like him to pick up a little heavier for his size. 2nd CLIFTON Mrs Karen Yakee King Of The Kop. I liked his overall size and he is thick set and compact in body. He has a broad head and flat skull. Black mask with large dark round eyes set well apart. Larger nose with open nostril. Would like a little more width to his underjaw. Ears set high attractive black ear fringes making an attractive contrast to his rich red coat. Nice and short in neck. Width to his front with short thick legs wrapping nicely around his ribs with elbows nice and close to his body. Coat was in good condition and presented well with obvious mane and well-defined waist. Nice and heavy to pick up with weight well distributed to the front. Seemed to struggle with the ground conditions on the move today.

Class 2304 LD (5 Entries) Abs: 0

1st MORLEY, Miss E & HITCHCOCK, Mr R Lizlanmor Declaration JW. A slightly taller boy presented in tip top condition both in terms of his harsh coat and overall muscle tone. He has a beautiful head with a black mask and an alert expression. Width all through from his jaw to the distance between his eyes to his broad, flat skull. His eyes are so dark and are round, bright and lustrous. Neat and tidy nose roll. Black shiny nose with open nostril. Under his thick harsh coat he is so well-made. He has a text-book front for width with thick legs wrapped around his low slung, rib cage. He is compact in body with a level top line. Would like a slightly shorter neck. He has such well-muscled hindquarters with moderate bend of stifle and low hocks. He moves as he is made with a slow dignified pace moving parallel behind and with a perfect rolling gait in front. Picks up so heavy with all the weight to the front. 2nd COCKSHOTT, Mrs Laura Livanda Valetto. On first sight an obvious litter brother to the Junior class winner and another very attractive looking young dog. Beautiful head and expression; shallow but plenty of width through. Flat skull and high set ears which have attractive black fringes framing his face. Wet, black nose with open nostril. Good width to his under jaw which shows strength with tidy dentition. His eyes are dark and round and set well apart but could be a fraction larger for perfect expression. Well laid shoulders with neatly fitting elbows close to his body; could have a little more width to his front but nice deep chest. Short in back which shows strength and is level. Tails set high and carried perfectly over his back with profuse feathering. Profuse coat in immaculate order with obvious mane and some definition to his waist. Moved away well and showed some roll in front coming towards. Presents a compact picture in side profile. Like his brother he too could pick up heavier for his size. 3rd CLIFTON, Mrs Karen Yakee King Of The Kop

OD (1,0) 1st MORLEY, Miss E Klerkshof We Will Rock You At Lizlanmor. I’m not one for quoting the breed standard verbatim but “Small, well-balanced, moderately thick set with great dignity and quality” is the first line and sums up this quite stunning ’lion’ perfectly. Loved his size for a male and he is so compact. As you approach him on the table you can see his big feet peeping out from under his long black ear fringes. Put your hand between his short thick front legs and you will feel width to his chest which is low slung. Both hands onto his elbows which are tight to his well sprung ribs. He really does have the best forequarters. His head is perfect with jet black mask and really dark round eyes set well apart and enhance his expression. Head is that stereo-typical envelope with super width but shallow. Perfect, neat nose roll and a wet black nose with open nostril. Lovely wide jaw which shows strength and teeth neatly aligned. Short thick neck and well laid shoulders. Long rib cage supporting his spirit-level back. Short-coupled with high set tail carried perfectly over his back with long feathering. Super muscle on his 2nd thigh and low hocks. His coat is harsh and presented to perfection creating a text-book shape. Not a hair out of place. Super long mane forming a typical cape around his neck then slightly shorter on his body with a defined waist. Couldn’t fault him on the move. It’s exciting to see ‘flash and dash’ in lots of breeds but equally exciting to see a Pekingese moving slowly with self-importance demanding attention. He moved round the ring today in his own time showing parallel rear movement and a perfect rolling gait in front. I will always remember Andrew Brace explaining that the ideal Pekingese picks up “like a concrete pear”…….this was my pear. Congratulations to his owners, his handler and his breeder. CC& BOB

PB (2,1) 1st PATTERSON, Mrs C & PATTERSON, Ms Lyanne & PATTERSON Bratilda Heaven Sent. Such a pretty headed puppy. She was so happy to meet me with a glint in her dark eyes and tail wagging constantly. Lovely to see this talented young handler allowing her to be a puppy yet remaining in control of her charge. A smaller finer bitch all through. She has a broad, shallow head with width to her underjaw and neatly aligned teeth. Her ears are set high framing her face with ear fringes developing. Her eyes are dark and round but showing rather a lot of white. Super healthy nose with open nostrils. Her chest still needs to drop and her ribs still need to spring more. A little narrow in front but elbows nice and tight to her body. Would like her body more compact. Coat in excellent condition but lacking length given her age. Moved with purpose and parallel behind moving away.

JB (1,0) Congratulations to the lucky owner/breeder who produced the two ‘twin’ sisters that won this class and the next. Not surprised you kept them both as they are two beautiful young ladies. I think both are CC worthy and feel sure both will gain their titles. 1st HYDE, Mr G Londer Ginger Rogers. Just out of puppy and coat developing perfectly coming through nice and harsh. First impression is a thick set, sturdy bitch with width all through and well grown for her age. Immediately fell in love with her beautiful head with nothing to change. Her eyes are just divine; dark and round with width. Healthy nose and a strong, jaw with width and perfect dentition. Her chest is already well developed. Width and depth in front. Elbows nice and close to her body with thick short front legs. Level in back and high set tail carried neatly over her back with feathering developing. Well-conditioned hind legs with low hocks. Foot prefect on the move being parallel going away and with an obvious roll to her gait in front. Picks up very heavy and with correct weight distribution to front. Just a fraction (and I mean a fraction) longer in loin than her sister but nonetheless a compact bitch of quality.

PGB (2,1) 1st HYDE, Mr G Londer Bette Davis. The owner/breeder knows exactly what I thought about Bette Davis. Without sounding like a critique writing ‘cop out’ this really is a case of ‘cut and paste’ with just very minor variations. Bette Davis is just a fraction shorter in loin than her sister and has very slightly smaller round eyes without any detraction. Ginger is quiet and aloof with an air of arrogance. Bette Davis is full of spirit and fearless to the point of being a real show-off and at times a clown on the move which made everyone smile. That said, she is so sound and her fabulous construction prevents her from moving with anything other than a rolling gait in front. RCC and nearly let my heart rule my head and gave her the CC. Loved her…in fact loved them both.

LB (2,0) 1st DRISCOLL, Ms J & ALDRED, Miss M Rickennys Pheobe. Impressive bitch of real quality. An ideal size and a bitch of substance. Lovely and low with really thick bone and short legs; massive supportive feet which just turn out slightly. Slight bow to her front legs which wrap around a really, well-developed chest which has width and is low slung. Impressive spring of rib and elbows tight to her body. Her head is superb and typical envelope with a broad flat skull and high set ears framing her black mask. She has the best eyes and an expression to fall in love with. Larger round dark eyes set well apart and sparkling bright. Healthy wet nose of good size with neat nose roll and open nostrils. Lovely width to her lower jaw. Short, thick neck and level back. Could just be a fraction short in loin but plenty of room for babies. Well-conditioned supportive hind quarters with low hocks. Looked a little between coats but still showing a mane and cape around her neck. Just a little fluffy at the moment. Moved parallel away and with typical rolling gait in front. With such good bone, muscle tone, not surprisingly, she picks up heavy with all her weight to the front. More than CC worthy.

2nd MORLEY, Miss E & HITCHCOCK, Mr R Dinarth Daisy Mazie At Lizlanmor JW. A smaller bitch with a beautiful head and expression and everything in the right place. Her head is broad with high set ears and flat skull. Medium size dark eyes set well apart. Neat nose roll and black shiny nose with healthy nostrils. Width to her underjaw with a neat row of bottom teeth. Good width to her chest and short front legs with elbows just a fraction away from her body. Short in back with a level top line and high set tail. Low hocks to match her front legs ensuring she looks compact and low. Moves towards with width in front and typical roll. Nice and parallel going away. A little out of coat on the day but still a lovely harsh texture. Picks up with weight commensurate to her size.

OB (1,0) 1st MORLEY, Miss E Ch Lizlanmor Essence Of Pearl JW. A beautiful bitch who with fabulous head features and a real look of dignity about her. Looks right through you with her dark round eyes which are set well apart on her broad head. Super flat skull with high set ears and long back ears fringes. Nose is black and shiny with open nostrils. Very good width to her lower jaw with teeth all neatly aligned. Short thick neck ensuring she looks straight forward. She is short in back and thick set. Really firm level top line and high set ail carried perfectly on her back with long feathering. Her fore quarters knit perfectly together with well laid shoulders, elbows tight to her body and short thick legs with a deep chest in between. Lovely and low to the ground with her short hocks showing strength and good muscle tone to her hindquarters. Impressive on the move holding her compact shape, parallel behind going away and a composed natural roll to her gait in front. Not a profuse coat but plenty of mane and cape to her neck and definition to her waist. It is also of a really super harsh texture and in perfect condition. A pleasure to add to her CC tally.

Judge – Nick Gourley (Witchstone)