THE PEKINESE 291 



were all of the golden chestnut shade ; and, as no brindled, 

 parti-coloured, or black dog has ever been born at Goodwood 

 or Broughton, we have some authority for looking upon whole- 

 colour as an important point. This view was in the first place 

 confirmed by the late Chinese Ambassador in London, and 

 further by Baron Speck von Sternberg, who was for many 

 years Minister at Pekin and had very special facilities for 

 noting the points of the Palace dogs. 



In every case a black muzzle is indispensable, also black 

 points to the ears, with trousers, tail and feathering a some- 

 what lighter shade than the body. There is considerable 

 divergence of opinion as to the penalisation of what, in other 

 breeds, is known as a " Dudley " nose, but on this point there 

 must be some difficulty at shows ; in the Pekinese the colour 

 of the nose varies in a remarkable way, especially in the case 

 of the bitches. For instance, a pinkish tinge was always 

 visible on the nose of Goodwood Meh before the birth of her 

 puppies ; but it resumed its normal colour when the puppies 

 were a few weeks old. As a representative type, Chu-Erh of 

 Alderbourne resembles most nearly the old Goodwood dogs. 

 He has the same square, cobby appearance, broad chest, 

 bowed legs, profuse feather, and large, lustrous eyes points 

 which are frequently looked for in vain nowadays and his 

 breeder and owner may well be proud of him. 



The Pekinese differs from the Japanese dog in that it appears 

 to be far stronger in constitution, and withstands the changes 

 of the English climate with much greater ease ; in fact, they 

 are as hardy, under healthy conditions, as any English breed, 

 and the only serious trouble seems to be the weakness which is 

 developing in the eyes. Small abscesses frequently appear 

 when the puppies are a few months old, and, although they 

 may not affect the sight, they almost inevitably leave a bluish 

 mark, while in some cases the eye itself becomes contracted. 

 Whether this is one of the results of in-breeding it is difficult 

 to say, and it would be of interest to know whether the same 

 trouble is met with in China. 



