Tonight, the Toy Group at Crufts 2016 was won by a Pekingese, Ch Yakee Ooh Ah Cantona. I confess I yelled "Nooooo!" so loudly that all my dogs ran out of the room.
But at least they could. Poor Eric had to be carried in the ring tonight by his rather creepy joint-owner Bert Easdon; and when the poor little thing was made to waddle for the judge, out popped a U-shaped tongue (seriously, can any Peke move at all without panting?) and the dog did his best to take a short-cut.
Afterwards, a tired Eric sat watery-eyed on the sofa with Easdon, who explained that his top show-dogs didn't actually live in the house because if they were allowed to mix when in full show-coat, they would chew each other's ears.
Thus denied even this one act of revenge on the humans who have bred them, Eric and his fellow hostages are doomed to spend their show careers crated or kennelled on their own. I bet they don't get out much, either.
The judge was awful too, making a point of dipping her pasty face into every dog's face, even pursing her lips to kiss one or two of them. She may love her dogs, but she should know better than to do this with strange dogs - even the supposedly fondle-friendly runway models at Cruft's. The Italian Greyhound , the Crestie and the Pug recoiled visibly.
For those that don't know, Eric is the grandson of Yakee A Dangerous Liaison (aka Danny the Peke) who won Crufts in 2003, After Danny's win, a rumour spread that Danny had had "a facelift". Owner Easdon denied it, saying that the dog had had an exploratory operation for tonsillitis.
In fact, as we revealed in Pedigree Dogs Exposed, Danny had had surgery to treat BOAS (brachycephalic obstructed airway syndrome) before his big win. I've never published this before, but now seems as good a time as any to show you this statement from Glasgow Vet School.
Despite this, the Kennel Club allowed Danny's win to stand.
Danny sired over 49 puppies from 19 litters. His grandson Eric has already sired 59 puppies from 22 litters.
There are no necessary health tests for Pekingese - and none listed for either dog on the KC's database.
 |
| Eric celebrated his win by chewing off what remained of his legs |
Related post: Crufts winner Bert Easden embraces genetic diversity
Maybe time for a programme called "Designer Dogs Exposed" - after all, those dear little Poochavdoodleshitz are doubling, trebling or quadrupling up on health problems. You might like to ask why breeders charge anything up to £5000 for a "mutt", why some breeders pass them off as "KC registered" etc etc. Or how about "Puppy Farmers Exposed"? Some really nasty practices there - ask how many of their ex-breeding stock are taken in by rescue centres, exhausted and in poor health for example. Time to explore another aspect of breeding dogs methinks, you've made enough mileage out of Crufts. Regards,
ReplyDeleteRob S.
Why do the KC brigade always use this as a rebuttal?
DeleteWhere on this blog do you see us advocating the breeding of mutts?
We're for responsible breeding not uncontrolled puppy farming.
Also interesting that you're not denying the health train wreck of these dogs, just saying "other people do it too".
Please try harder Rob.
This is a rather inaccurate comment. You are unlikely to double up on health problems by breeding together two very unrelated individuals such as dogs from different breeds. Simple genetics tells us that a bad recessive gene is not going to present a problem unless it's combined with the same recessive gene carried by the other parent, at which point the pups end up with two copies of the gene and the health problem is then expressed. This is far more likely to happen when breeding together two genetically similar animals such as those from the same breed, especially where the gene pool is small and all the dogs are very similar. So in fact you are much more likely to 'double up' on health problems by breeding within a closed pedigree breed group than by crossing breeds.
DeleteI find it strange how you protest to detest pedigree dog shows and find crufts so utterly offensive, yet clearly you watch it right through to the groups. Your ridiculous attempt at provocative wording, along with the offensive and insulting childish name-calling (such as maggots) you direct toward the dogs you purport to be defending, only serve to confirm your lack of professionalism, as well as proving once more that you are incapable of writing an intelligent, well written, credible article. In order to be a successful journalist one must possess an ability to write coherently, intelligently and present an article in an unbiased fashion. Perhaps it is time to accept that your attempt at your 5 minutes of fame has failed and move on to pastures new.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you haven't noticed, but this is not a site for "professional articles", it's a blog.
DeleteAnd the point has also eluded you. The point is not to "insult" the dogs, it's rather to insult the breeders who create these poor, deformed animals who will have to live their whole lives as cripples because of owners needing of ego-trips in a deranged cult.
Pot calling kettle black. Why are you on here then if you can't stand this sort of blog? LMAO.
DeleteShe watches it BECAUSE she's condemning it. She can't very well say how awful it is if she doesn't watch it can she? Then you'd come on here saying "You don't even watch the show so you know nothing about it".
Delete"Know thy enemy" - it makes sense to see what's going on at Crufts in order to point out what's wrong with it. This is obvious to anyone with half a brain, unfortunately it seems to have escaped you.
Ms. Harrison, I take it that you don't particularly care for this breed of dog. You did very well expressing your feelings/thoughts about this win. I have to admit that I was almost speechless after watching the video. First of all, I have difficulty seeing any redeeming qualities in the Pekingese. Personally,when I see a lab or a OEB, I see a dog. When I see a Pekingese, I see an animal that resembles some type of monkey.
ReplyDeletewhat a nasty human being, I have had pekes for 25 years, and other breeds and I can tell you they can keep up with any other breed, they are all dog
DeleteUnknown, what do you mean "they can keep up with any other breed"? The dog that won Crufts can barely keep up with his middle-aged handler.
DeleteCome on unknown, name the time and the place, and lets see if your dog can keep up with my working spaniels. I think not. What planet are you from "they can keep up with any other breed"? what utter twaddle. Just makes me wonder what other breeds you have had, they must of been pretty screwed up if a Peke could keep up with them.
DeleteJust proves dog shows are corrupt for this poor peke to win, I feel sorry for the dogs, the GSD's where walking on their hocks and stumbling all over, these show are not good for dogs.
Delete"Unknown", This dog struggled to do a small lap of the arena, how on earth can you claim they can keep up with other dogs?
DeleteI'm really confused about something. I've been watching Crufts live on YouTube since 2012, when there was so much talk about the veterinary checks for some fifteen breeds, and several did not pass.
ReplyDelete2013, 2014, 2015 and now 2016, and I haven't heard a peep about this. All the dogs, even bulldogs with heaving chests after walking a few meters, and a pekingese that can't walk, go right through.
Were the vet checks just cancelled in 2013 or what?
Nope, the vet checks are still happening. Vets are passing the dogs because they are healthy from a veterinary perspective, therefore can continue to compete. That's why you don't hear about it anymore... There is no drama, it's uninteresting.
DeleteYep, the vets are checking that the dogs are there.
Delete@Anonymous 11 March 2016 at 09:54
DeleteI can see the point you're making but why can Cavaliers still win if the ones that have been at the show in the past have had SM or CM? I mean lets face it, nearly all cavaliers are seriously ill past a certain age and even at a younger age the chances of them still being ill are pretty substantial....
good point - why are dogs who's owners cannot prove their health allowed to be shown or bred with? Surely if the KC wants to say it promotes the purebreed dog, it would only register dogs from health proven parents?
DeleteI knew a peke back in the 1970s. It lived on a hill farm on Dartmoor and every day it helped round up the two dairy cows and bring them in for milking. I am not joking - It was better at it than their collie cross!
ReplyDeleteI guess modern pugs at least can't get cow poo on them, as they can't walk far enough...
If you detest dog shows so much, stop watching crufts,your so predictable,we were waiting for some kind of article full of crap, well done you certainly delivered
ReplyDeletepeke lover, if you detest Jemima's opinion so much about the Pekingese winning last night, why do you read her articles. Why don't you take a feather out of your own cap and stop reading them and making comments full of crap.
Delete"Peke lover", if you detest this blog so much, why are you even reading it?
DeleteThe vet checks those breeds at every Champ show
ReplyDeleteLooking at the Peke above, the vets just check they are there, not that they have nostrils or if they do, that they can breath through them effectively.
DeleteI feel so sorry for these dogs as far as I can tell they can hardly walk or breath. We passed one on one of our walks and could hear them wheezing from meters away, poor thing.
ReplyDeleteThere was also a segment about the Frenchie when Iwan Thomas proclaimed that he snorted like him, because the poor thing can't breath!
Also I totally understand watching crufts despite not agreeing with the show dogs, I always want to see the agility and the fly ball as it really shows the dogs off to their best.
*sigh*
ReplyDeleteI have pedigree show dogs, one of which will be at Crufts on Sunday. They all live together in the house as very much loved pets. Another of my dogs qualified for Crufts but due to his lack of confidence in noisy situations I decided against showing him this year, giving him time to gain confidence. I just wish you would stop tarnishing all pedigree owner/breeders withthe same brush and gave a balanced report. Personally I applauded Jessica Holmes last night for her speech about "designer breeds" who used to be termed as mongrels. Make a documentary about puppy farmers and those who breed just for money then you may be taken seriously
ReplyDeleteSo Petula Field, you think there is no health issues with the Pekingese?
DeleteThe Pekingese breeder above does breed for just money, which then enables him to prance around the rings at Crufts. He has a commercial crossbreeding set up as well as a pure one.
Petula Field, I'm not sure if it is because you are insecure or self-centered but the article is very clearly about the Pekingese. The title of the article is about them and so does the article. For some reason you took it personally and assumed it was written to criticise you. If you are a good owner, please don't feel the need to defend yourself on a blog post completely unrelated to you.
DeletePetula Field. If the boot fits they say. If you are a crap breeder who cares more about your ego than your dogs and the future of your beloved breed than ya. She never said all pedigree owners. But I guess this article was a little close to home? I suggest actually reading the blog and know more about Jemima. She doesn't hate pedigree dogs nor is she against them. I mean come on people are you really going to rally up against somebody who wants nothing but the best for these dogs? You are all blind and can not see ahead.
DeleteMaybe if pedigree breeders weren't so determined to tar every one out side the pedigree system "with the same brush", and more willing to accept people hold values in common( the dogs) things would be able to improve for ALL dogs.
DeleteIf you are so determined to be seen as different and separate from the environment that supports you, you can't afford be so disapointed that you are SEEN as some thing 'Other'
If its better practices that make better dogs, for goodness sake promote better practices. Not a piece of paper bestowed after birth.
This is always the KC brigade's rebuttal.
DeleteWhere on this blog do you see anybody advocating for designer dogs?
That's right, nowhere.
Plus that's an appalling defense anyway.
"Other dogs are unhealthy too". Disgraceful.
So sad.... Poor, poor dog. Why have breeders become so vain? And why do judges reward this abuse? It makes me wonder how far they will go. Where will they stop? When the dogs can't move easily isn't it (we are already there). When they can't breathe at all (almost there)? I met a breeder of show pekes once and she told me that they have to have their house at "Alaskan" temperatures, via a.c., year round, or the dogs have trouble breathing. I don't know if the info itself was more of a shock, or the fact that she could so easily admit such a thing to a stranger. And as far as the people who have had enough of your "mean remarks", all I can say is this: "if the shoe fits..." ! You are just stating the obvious. If people don't want to read about it maybe they should start breeding dogs that can run, breathe with ease (in average temperatures!) and play with other dogs and STILL be shown!
ReplyDeleteCrufts is a show for morons and freaks isn't it? I really can not understand Channel 4 - they commission an excellent series such as 'Dogs, their secret lives' and they they continue to commission this antiquated, sickening and 'poking forks into eyes' inducing beauty pageant for dogs. What is their point?
ReplyDeleteInteresting article in the Telegraph today by Pete Wedderburn. He has been asked 'which breed of dog is best' and his reply?
'I would prefer a well-socialised, crossbred rescue dog to a pedigree pup, but if choosing a breed, these are my recommendations. Choose your source carefully, ideally meeting both parents of a pup: most dogs turn out like their forebears.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/pets/news-features/which-dog-breed-should-i-buy/
At least he hasn't recommended any brachy breeds....
Awful stuff, as usual. I can't watch dog shows anymore at all. The inbreeding, freakishness, and hypocrisy: way too creepy. I love watching stock herding trials, agility sports, lure coursing, puppy play groups, etc. because you can see dogs being dogs, but these purebred shows are just depressing.
ReplyDeleteActually, Jemima, maybe it's time for you to produce a third documentary. Only this time instead of shining a light on the pathology of the purebred world, you could showcase when things go right between humanity and Man's Best Friend. Show the world what healthy primitive, working, service, and pet dogs look like. It's important to show why we should move away from pure- and extreme-breeding, but also why we should move toward having normal, healthy dogs.
I agree!
DeleteMaybe it would help people to see what COULD be had.
That are worthy alternatives, very fit for most any purpose people no longer even recognize.
I can't believe the Peke won. It could barely move. PR suicide for the KC if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteGood article about Crufts, and Pedigree Dogs Exoposed gets a mention.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.independent.co.uk/voices/crufts-is-a-spectacle-of-cruelty-if-you-love-dogs-you-wont-watch-it-this-year-a6922846.html
I was shocked that the Pekingese won. I don't care what it looked like but that small walk round the ring was a struggle for it; trotting round a ring shouldn't be a struggle for any dog.
ReplyDeleteIt's all about money, whether it be pure breeds or designer cross breed. It makes me so sad.
What is the answer?
Personally I think having a set price for a puppy is a start. A life is a life whether a human calls it a cross breed, pedigree or mongrel. I like to call them dogs as I’m pretty sure they don't care about a piece of paper.
The really sad thing is that with all the manipulation we have only managed to change a few genes within the dogs make up to produce so much variation. So we have managed to disable them physically but they are still dogs, they will still want to run, jump, play, chase but they can't. How frustrating must that be!
If you want to see a dog bred to do a job and selected for everything that makes a dog healthy and happy then look at a racing greyhound. I know, I have 4 retired hounds. They all raced, all retired sound and much enjoy their retirement.
ReplyDeleteBefore you condemn breeders of the dogs of today, be sure that you know fully what they were originally bred to do.
ReplyDeleteThe Pekingese was never bred to run. In fact, the Chinese deliberately bred the legs short and crooked so that the dog could not run away.
The Pekingese was bred as a protector for the Chinese Royalty. The dog would sit in the large sleeves of the robe. If someone unwanted approached the Royal Person, they would open their arms and extend the sleeve outward and the dog would jump forward, barking and snarling, driving them off and, if necessary, attack the person.
Only Royalty were allowed to own Pekinese and possession by anyone other then the Imperial Household was punishable by death. The Breed was unknown by the Western World until the Royal Palace in Peking was looted by the British in 1860.
If anything, the Pekingese breeders of today have improved the Breed to where the legs, while still slightly crooked, are more naturally sound allowing the dogs to walk easier and to run. Gone are the dogs that could do nothing more than sit in a sleeve.
These are photos of Pekingese dogs from the late 19th and early 20th century. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/7a/fa/59/7afa5959ff1d1db8e96efede800a8b4f.jpg
Deletehttp://retrieverman.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/1899-pekingese.jpg
This is one of the original Pekingese dogs imported FROM CHINA.
http://equinetapestry.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/AhCum.jpg
And THIS is the monstrosity that won last night:
http://www.yakee.org/images/OohAahCantona3.jpg
Are you SERIOUSLY telling me you cannot see a difference?
Oh, and by the way; just because it has been done for thousands of years does not make it right. If a dog has been deliberately bred to be crippled, that dog should not be bred anymore.
This is the stupidest thing I've read all day.
DeleteJust like that rubbish "The folds on a bulldog's face are to divert blood away" nonsense that the KC peddle to try to justify their god awful breed standards.
If that were the case, the short muzzle would be a decidedly non-functional trait.
DeleteSorry but the modern Peke is not an improvement over the original. The dog of yesterday seemed to have longer legs, longer snout and shorter coat. Like most dogs of yesteryear, they were less exaggerated than their modern counterparts.. Who's to say these dogs couldn't move period? I find that hard to believe by these old photos of the original dogs... if anything they could probably move better than any modern relative.
ReplyDeletehttp://chestofbooks.com/animals/dogs/Toy-Dogs/images/PEKINGESE-Foo-Kwai-of-Newnham-owned-by-Mrs-W-H-Herbert.jpg
http://chestofbooks.com/animals/dogs/Dogs-All-Nations/images/Pekingese.jpg
http://equinetapestry.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/AhCum.jpg
Look at these dogs. I see no modern improvements.
And isn't the point of these shows to preserve breeds? I find it silly that the modern Peke can place anymore considering they had severely altered the appearance of the original dog. The modern Peke has no resemblance of this once ancient lap dog. It shouldn't be placed. It has now adopted a modern, western appearance. No longer should it be totted as something ancient!
What the heck has this to do with "designer dogs"?! All dogs have a mix of other breeds in the ancestry. No single dog has pure dna! I have been the proud owner of a labradoodle "mutt" for 5 years and not had a days problem health wise with him - or any other wise with him come to think of it. He is a brilliant dog.
ReplyDeleteBy all means state your opinion on the dog but to go as low as to call the owner Creepy? I thought you were better than that Jemima? Guess I was giving the benefit of the doubt.
ReplyDeleteThere's no need to insult the owner.
I was very shocked to see the judge kissing many of the small dogs, not good practice when we tell children not to do this, just because they are small dogs does not mean they wont bite, I have a pug who is very loving to all children but still would not allow people to kiss him on the face, he is not show quality but as our vet says he has a nose he can breath through his eyes are not pretuding like some of the breed are causing eye injury and can go on long walks without panting or hearing him breathing, and not overweight, a healthy happy pug :-)
ReplyDeleteThe Peke, as it is bred today, is an achondroplastic dwarf. Simply compare its skeletal structure to a human who has the same form of dwarfism and voila, they are pretty much the same. Surely this isn't good for a breed that didn't start out that way. A few Peke breeders/exhibitors I know have complained that seizure disorders also plague their litters as young puppies and they have been forced to put them down. Many other serious medical conditions also seem to plague Pekes apart from the breathing issues. These are serious issues and need to be addressed all over the world about this breed. However, I do find your mean spirited personal comments on both the peke, its owner and the "pasty faced" toy judge really off putting and needless. The dog, whether you agree with its conformation or not, is still a loving and giving creature and not something you should be hurling epithets at. Your own take on the owner and the judge add nothing to the conversation about the health issues of pure bred dogs that you claim to advocate. As to the judge kissing and being affectionate with the dogs on the table, I didn't find that disgusting or odd at all. Most toy dogs were developed to bring our affectionate side out and act strictly as endearing companions.
ReplyDeleteonly just got around to watching the toy group winner - that poor dog, he is overheated just standing there. I wonder how the judge would like to struggle to get enough air in like that dog is so obviously doing? How about Bert, let's constrict your breathing via stuffing something up your nostrils and see how you like it.
ReplyDeletethe judging making kissy faces at the dogs is just so false... this judge has no ability to read the dogs reaction either as they often recoiled.........
ReplyDeleteWatery eyed maggot ?' shame on you all ,you are talking about a animal not some thing that you can vent your spleen on just because you feel like it .the Pekingese is a wonderful breed ,I've had them in my family for over 50 years and they are a long lived and healthy dog . Don't get me wrong there is a lot that I agree with concerning the show world , the German shepherd ,the cavalier spaniel ,pugs ,are all far more popular ,in there thousands no less ALL with a hell of a lot more issues
ReplyDeleteAnd yet time and time again the peke is used as a poster boy as everything that's wrong with pedigree dogs .please remember that the dog world is just like the human one ,we come in all shapes and sizes ,with something to please everyone ,whether you like a greyhound ,a beagle or even shock horror a Pekingese ,the vile comments are beneath intelligent conversation ,which I know most of you being fellow animal lovers are far above . By the way kissy kissy judging ,mmmm even I admit ,yeah bit odd ! But god love you and your pets .
The Peke was a parody of the breed that came over from China. Even putting aside the clear evidence from archive film and pictures that the breed has morphed from something resembling a Tibetan Spaniel to a Tribble, just because it was once thought a good idea to create a breed that is not capable of 'running that far' does this mean it is ethical to perpetuate it? I've known fit, happy and really lovely Pekes in the past, so I don't believe personally for one moment that they were intended to resemble a wheezing hairball, but if they were, what's so awful about letting a breed die out with dignity if the alternative is preserving something that isn't fit for purpose as an animal, let alone a dog?
ReplyDeleteIf the Peke has evolved into this parody and it is not what the breed is supposed to resemble (and I think we have enough proof available to say with confidence that it was never intended to be so flat-faced, squat and hairy)then why do judges and breeders strive for something that contradicts their apparent desire to 'preserve the true breed type?'
Despite all the KC's claims and the changes to the breed standard, this dog looks EXACTLY like the 2003 Peke. Meaning, in 13-years there has been zero progress in improving the conformation of this breed.
ReplyDeleteDespite the KC's promotion of happy, healthy dogs and changes to the breed standard, this dog looks EXACTLY like the 2003 BIS Peke. Meaning, 13-years later and there has been zero progress in improving this breed's conformation.
ReplyDelete