Pekingese Natural Coat

[james3751]

Why in the world isn't the Pekingese shown in the dog shows with its nomal, spaniel type, coat. I just don't get it. Fine, if you want a super fluffy, unrealistic, coat that's fine. But, how about a category for Pekingese with the natural coat. I don't mean to step on anyones feelings. It's that I am just curious.

[Transcend]

If you take a look at my peke Chewie, http://www.chewieshow.com, his coat is indeed all-natural. All I do is brush it, just like any other dog. Is that the type of coat you are referring too?

There is a misconception some people have that the coat they see on pekes in the shows is somehow created by grooming. The truth is the coat comes from lineage, you know -- genes. The show dogs are groomed professionally, but you can't get the coat from most puppy-mill or backyard-bred pekingese to ever look like that, no matter how hard you try. Well, not without installing hair extensions.

My other peke, Lokey, has a typical puppy-mill or backyard-bred coat. I groom him and Chewie the same way. The difference in their appearance comes from breeding, not grooming.

I hope I answered your question.

P.S. Speaking about not natural, how about those poodles, huh?

[Transcend]

On that note, some might wonder, what is the difference between a backyard breeder and a show breeder?

Typically, a backyard breeder considers any healthy dog suitable for breeding. They breed with little regard for meeting the AKC standard.

In contrast, a reputable show breeder will not breed a dog if he/she has any feature that does not meet the AKC standard for the breed. For example, my Chewie was bred by a show breeder but determined not "correct" for breeding. Yet his litter-mate was #5 Pekingese in the AKC last year.

For a show breeder, it is a matter of both personal and professional integrity; i.e., to breed a dog that has a known or even suspected "fault" is considered taboo.

[james3751]

Dear Transcend: Thank you for the information about show pekes coats. I have seen pictures of the pekes that the English brought over from China and their coats looked nothing like the coat of pekes in the shows. Your peke Chewie is just what I am talking about...a natural coat. What a beautiful creature. I think that is the way pekes should be in the shows not as though they went through a static hair charger. Someone told me that sometime in the 1950's or '60's it became fashionable to have show pekes look like they do now. I don't know it that is what happened. I think that if you could see the pekes legs and the way they walk with such authority that they would win most shows, but what do I know? I was just musing. I do know that I love pekes beyond compare, what fantastic creatures, what incredible personalities. I think people make a mistake if they treat them like dogs...they are not exactly dogs imho...they are royalty and they know it. Our pekes constantly amaze my wife and me. They are such wonderful companions. I apologize I am rambling on. Thanks again for the information.
Sometime I will have to share how I came to know about pekes and I will get some pictures of mine.
Sincerely, jim3751

[Transcend]

Ah, I misunderstood. "Spaniel type" is a good way to describe the shorter coat many non-show-bred pekes have.

You are talking about the way the long coated pekes are fluffed up for show. I do know that having a thick stiff coat is expected, and I think that grooming them that way might be one way to demonstrate how stiff and thick the coat is. The shorter the hair (puppies), the more ridiculous it might look, but I think it is to show quality of coat vs. aesthetic appeal. Pomeranians are groomed similarly, I've noticed.

But fluffed or not, you still might not see those peke's legs. Left natural (untrimmed), I can barely make out Chewie's paws under his hair when he walks, back or front, and his hair is still growing, at 16 months old. He's starting to walk on the hair, in fact -- I need to trim it.

I think if Poodles were forced to be shown "all natural", Pekingese would win most shows.

Please feel free to ramble; I love to ramble and read other ramblings about pekes here! They are indeed wonderful companions. When I lost my girl peke over a year ago I said I couldn't handle losing another, but then I realized I couldn't live without a peke! They have a way of spoiling us as much as we spoil them, don't they?

[Transcend]

Oh, btw, check out "Bradley" on the home page of http://www.dejavupekes.com/.

That is Chewie's half-brother, and his coat is also totally "all natural". Chewie's coat will be similar once it has fully grown in, although I do use detangling spray product that produces more of a silky sheen (which is not particularly desirable for show pekes).

Bradley has been shown in both England and the US and has won many awards, including at the Eukanuba Invitational.

Bradley is the nicest, sweetest love-bug Pekingese I have ever met, yet oh so regal. I am so in love with that little man!

Kudos to Susan Shephard of Deja vu Pekingese for producing such high-quality dogs, both physically and in temperament.

[james3751]

Dear transcend: There is nothing like a peke. "Bradley" in phenomenal. I can see the look in the face. It speaks to something like this, "I am royalty. You are fortunate that I have chosen you to serve me. If you please me then I may bestow on you some of my grace. Please always remember, you serve the majestic one."
Something like that is what our Wee Paws Tess Ann says to my wife and I. I know this because she has a similar look in her face. The strange thing is that we are so very happy to serve her. Goodness she makes us laugh with her antics, she comforts us when we are down, she is special as I know yours are to you. Tess Ann is our, we believe, pure Pekingese. We don't know for sure if she was from a puppy mill. We don't think so because she has a certain quality about her that indicates lineage.

Our other peke is a rescue peke. He is a peke with, I am guessing, some King Charles Spaniel sprinkled in. Well call him "PT" because the rescue lady already had a "Pete" when she rescued him so she called him "Pete Two."

btw, I must say "Chewie" is quite magnificent in his own right. You have some majestic creatures. (I don't really think they are, you know, dogs.)

Sincerely, James3751

[Transcend]

Thanks for your compliments of Chewie - we are enthralled by him.

[james3751]

Christmas Peke

[Transcend]

That is an elegant little lady (a girl peke, right?). She's beautiful.