olour 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 somewhat 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.

The Pekinese bitches are excellent mothers, provided they are not
interfered with for the first few days. This was discovered at
Goodwood years ago by the fact that, on two or three occasions, one
Celestial lady, who had been given greater attention than she
considered necessary, revenged herself by devouring her own family of
puppies! One thing seems from experience to be especially advisable--as
far as can be arranged, to breed in the spring rather than autumn. The
puppies need all the open air and exercise that is possible, and wher