PREFACE 



of research in both Eastern and European writings. It is 

 hoped that the information gained will prove of value to 

 searchers working far beyond the limited scope comprised 

 within the title of this work. 



The author acknowledges a deep sense of obligation to 

 certain Chinese friends for their enthusiastic help in a task 

 which, from an interesting hobby, has developed into the 

 product of much study. Little of the Chinese literary 

 material obtained would have come to light but for the en- 

 thusiasm of Mr. Wu Ch'i-ts'un, who, having become inter- 

 ested in the subject, attacked it with painstaking and scholarly 

 ardour. He has carefully examined all records accessible in 

 Peking. His researches were at first confined to the breed of 

 dogs commonly known in Europe as " Pekingese," but in- 

 formation bearing on other breeds has been obtained, and is 

 recorded for those who may be interested. In the second 

 place a debt must be gratefully acknowledged to Wang Hou- 

 chun, who, though but a humble admirer of the Imperial 

 breed, has, through his seventy-five years' experience as 

 keeper of dogs and hawks, spent for the most part in the 

 palace of Prince Wu Yeh, brother of the Emperor Tao Kuang, 

 proved a mine of information on matters canine. Special 

 thanks are also due to Abbot Pai Kuong-fa of the Lama 

 Temple in Peking, who has been kind enough to point out 

 the exact connexions between Tibetan and Chinese lion 

 dogs, the Chinese lion, and the Tibetan Scriptures. From 

 these last certain references which are of considerable interest 

 have been collected. Additional thanks are due to General 

 Ch'ien Hsi-lin, previous Chief of Intelligence in charge of the 

 Police dogs of President Yuan Shih-k'ai, and Mr. Kungpah T. 

 King, formerly of the Board of Interior, also to numerous 

 others, both Chinese and foreign, in Peking, who have supplied 

 information and corroboration on many points. 



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