69 is the rare one :lol: Shenyang do a good job for sure, especially the later years. And don't think I ever heard any complaints about white spots (knock wood)
Time to reveal to you the selection of dog bread of the coming Panda dog lunar the original series.
PEKINGESE The Pekingese (also known as theLion Dog, Peking Lion Dog, Pelchie Dog, or Peke) is an ancient breed of toy dog, originating in China. They are called Lion Dogs due to their resemblance to Chinese guardian lions(the Shih Tzu is also known as a Lion Dog in Chinese).
The breedwas favored by royalty of the Chinese Imperial court as both a lap dog and companion dog, and its name refers to the city of Peking (Beijing) where the Forbidden City is located. The breed has several characteristics and health issues related to its unique appearance. Because of its desirable characteristics, the Pekingese has been part of the development of designer crossbreeds, such as the Peekapoo (crossed with a poodle) and Peke-a-tese (crossed with a Maltese).
The Pekingese, originating from Western China, were proud companions of the ChineseBuddhist monks. These dogs are also found to be owned by Chinese princes.
The Pekingese breed is over 2000 years oldand has hardly changed in all that time. There are modern breeders with the long-haired type and the traditional spaniel-type coat.
Histrory OLDEST BREEDS OF DOG FOR CHINESE IMPERIAL PALACE The Pekingese's flat face and large eyes are some of the breeds most obvious characteristics.The body is compact and low to the ground. Pekingese also have a muscular and durable body.The breed's unusual rolling gait may have been deliberately developed by breeding to prevent the court dogs from wandering in ancient times.
WESTERN WORLD CRAZY OF THIS DOG IN HIGH CLASS SOCIETY During the Second Opium War, in 1860, the Old Summer Palace in Beijing was occupied by a contingent of British and French troops. The Xianfeng Emperor had fled with all of his court to Chengde. However, an elderly aunt of the emperor remained. When the British and French troops entered, she committed suicide. She was found with her five Pekingese. They were removed by the Allies before the Summer Palace was burnt to the ground.
Lord John Hay took a pair, later called Schloff and Hytien, and gave them to his sister, the Duchess of Wellington, wife of Henry Wellesley, 3rd Duke of Wellington. Sir George Fitzroy took another pair, and gave them to his cousins, the Duke and Duchess of Richmond and Gordon. Lieutenant Dunne presented the fifth Pekingese to Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, who named it Looty.
The first Pekingese in Ireland was introduced by Dr. Heuston. He established smallpox vaccination clinics in China. The effect was dramatic. In gratitude, the Chinese minister, Li Hongzhang presented him with a pair of Pekingese. They were named Chang and Lady Li. Dr. Heuston founded the Greystones kennel.[8]
Around the turn of the century, Pekingese dogs became popular in Western countries. They were owned by such arbiters of fashion as Alexandra of Denmark (wife of Edward VII), and Elsie de Wolfe, popular American interior decorator.
A ROMANTIC 'LOVE STORY'' OF THIS PEKINGESE DOG AND NOT MERELY A PET DOG BUT GUARD DOG OF TEMPLE & BUDDHA. There are two origin stories for the Pekingese. The first is the most common, The Lion and the Marmoset: A lion and a marmoset fell in love. But the lion was too large. The lion went to the Buddha and told him of his woes. The Buddha allowed the lion to shrink down to the size of the marmoset. And the Pekingese was the result. The second, less-common, originating story is The Butterfly Lions: A lion fell in love with a butterfly. But the butterfly and lion knew the difference in size was too much to overcome. Together they went to see the Buddha, who allowed their size to meet in the middle. From this, the Pekingese came.
Another legend says that the breed resulted from the mating of a lion and a monkey, getting its nobleness and coat from the former and its ungainly walk from the latter.
Because the Pekingese was believed to have originated from the Buddha, he was a temple dog TOO.As such, he was not a mere toy. He was made small so that he could go after and destroy little demons that might infest the palace or temple. But his heart was big so that he could destroy even the largest and fiercest. (Barbara Hambly's novel, Bride of the Rat God, was written from this premise, although Hambly denies knowledge of the legends.)
All breed standards allow a wide range of color combinations. The majority of Pekingese are gold, red or sable. Cream, black, white, sables, black and tan and occasionally 'blue' or slate grey have appeared in the breed. The latter often has poor pigment and light eyes. Albino Pekingese (white with pink eyes) should be bred cautiously due to health problems that have been associated with albinism. The Pekingese sheds a lot.
A black mask or a self-colored face is equally acceptable in show dogs. Regardless of coat color, the exposed skin of the muzzle, nose, lips and eye rims is black.
Size
The Pekingeseweigh from 7 to 14 lb (3.2 to 6.4 kg) and stand about 6–9 inches (15–23 cm)at the withers, however they can sometimes be smaller. These smaller Pekingese are commonly referred to as "Sleeve" Pekingese or just "Sleeves". The name is taken from ancient times, when emperors would carry the smallest of the breed in their sleeves. A Pekingese over 15 pounds is disqualified in the show ring.
The Pekingese is slightly longer than tall when measured from the forechest to the buttocks.
The above introduction and have clearly stated the reasons of this dog been chosen.
Should do a yearly contest to let us guess the breed of the animal that will be featured. The year after dog is pig. I wonder what breed of pig that would be....