THE PET DOG SUPREME.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1516, 15 May 1919, Page 33

THE PET DOG SUPREME.

UNIQTE HISTORY OF THE PEKINGESE. THEIR HOME IN NEW ZEALAND. The Pekingese, that pet dog su Pf®JP e : which securely holds the canine f avou of England and America — mentioning two such progressive countries only with its fascinating charm and win some ways is as yet little known to New Zealand. We feel sure these so quaint and highly intelligent pets wit their so different characteristics wi come rapidly to the front in the dominion once their all-conquering appe 1 becomes known. They are of Chinese origin, having an interesting an unique history, dating back to the King Tynastie (A.D. 65) and even fur thei. About this breed the Chinese them selves are silent and inscrutable. One thing is certain, they are ciosely wrapped up in the life of the well-to-do Chinese, and are greatly associated with the religious life of China They are regarded as sacred and the symbols of faithfulness Images of them are placed as guards in the Buddist monasteries and in the ceremony various temples they play an impoitant part. In both ancient and modern Chinese art, executed with fantastic exaggeration and a total disregard t natural lines, so typical of celestial ornamentation, we find this sacred dog of China reproduced largely. These little creatures have always been most jealously guarded, and few have their way into the outer world. _ They are kept under the care of special attendants, who are answerable for their safety. Most frightful consequences follow the loss of their charges. Under these conditions it was impossible to secure one for love or money, but at the looting of the summer palace at Pekin during the Boxer rising of 1860, five of these mites were forgotten in the hurried flight of the court. They were found in a garden, the private retreat of the Dowager Empress, who committed suicide on the approach of the troops. Lord John Hay and another naval officer each secured two and the fifth speciman was obtained by General Dunn, who presented it to Queen Victoria. _ It is now on view preserved at Kensington Museum. These five Pekingese were the foundation of the breed in England, and formed the original Goodtvood strain, now world famous. They are irresistible. The fashionable, fascinating favourite of the twentieth century. Once a Peke. lover, always a Peke lover. The interest grows, never fails. Playful, faithful, quiet, affectionate, intelligent beyond belief and so pleasing to the eye, they possess the mystery, grotesqueness and quaintness of the Far East, so alluring to the white race. It is the call of the Orient which so largely attracts. A photograph of a quartette of these rare Pekingese pets, taken at the home of their breeder, Mrs. C. Neale, 160, Riddiford Street, Wellington, is reproduced herewith. Although a newcomer to the ranks of fanciers, starting along the right lines by breeding to the best dogs in the Dominion, Mrs. C. Neal’s Pekingese are bound to be heard of in the near future. The main strength of these “Tang Kennels” lies in its aggregation of brood bitches, bred from such champion strains as Goodwood, Alderbourne, Broadoak Beetle, etc. Each bitch is mated to requirements, not to one dog regardless of type. A “Tang” puppy won at the recent Kelburn Parade, also at the Wanganui Show in March, where the judge (Mr. Fraser Durward) gave high praise re his sterling qualities and great promise. This puppy has the flattest face yet shown, huge black mask, perfectly bowed front legs and turned out feet. “Tang” puppies grow good coats and heavy fringes on ears, feet, etc. A strong feature with them is large lustrous eyes and short faces. A rare parte colour sold to Mr. A. E. Wells, of Wellington, has the heaviest coat yet seen on a Peke. puppy in New Zealand. A heavily-coated little bitch by Ch. Chin. T.T. of Ribblesdale (imp.) and Jangztse Kon Kon (imp.) is now nursing a healthy, cobby little family of four, consisting of two red sables and two parte colours. The sire of these is Miss W. R. Richardson’s dog, the notable winner at Wanganui’s recent show.