It must, however, be clearly admitted that since the popularity of the breed has become established we unluckily see scores of Pekinese in the show-ring who have lost all resemblance to the original type, and for this the Pekinese Club is in some measure to blame.  The original points for the guidance of breeders and judges were drawn up by Lady Samuelson, Mrs. Douglas Murray, and Lady Algernon Gordon-Lennox, who fixed the maximum size at 10 lb.—­a very generous margin.  Since then the club has amended the scale of points, no doubt in order to secure a larger membership, and the maximum now stands at 18 lb.

Is it therefore to be wondered at that confusion exists as to what is the true type?  At shows there should be two distinct classes; the Palace dog and the Pekin Spaniel, or any other name which would enable the breeds to be kept distinct.

The following is the scale of points as issued by the Pekinese Club:—­

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HEAD—­Massive, broad skull, wide and flat between the ears (not dome shaped); wide between the eyes.  NOSE—­Black, broad, very short and flat.  EYES—­Large, dark, prominent, round, lustrous.  STOP—­Deep.  EARS—­Heart-shaped; not set too high; leather never long enough to come below the muzzle; not carried erect, but rather drooping, long feather.  MUZZLE—­Very short and broad; not underhung nor pointed; wrinkled.  MANE—­Profuse, extending beyond shoulder blades, forming ruff or frill round front of neck.  SHAPE OF BODY—­Heavy in front; broad chest falling away lighter behind; lion-like; not too long in the body.  COAT AND FEATHER AND CONDITION—­Long, with thick undercoat; straight and flat, not curly nor wavy; rather coarse but soft; feather on thighs, legs, tail and toes, long and profuse.  COLOUR—­All colours allowable, red, fawn, black, black and tan, sable, brindle, white and parti-coloured.  Black masks, and spectacles round the eyes, with lines to the ears, are desirable.  LEGS—­Short; fore-legs heavy, bowed out at elbows; hind-legs lighter, but firm and well shaped.  FEET—­Flat, not round; should stand well up on toes, not on ankles.  TAIL—­Curled and carried well up on loins; long, profuse straight feather.  SIZE—­Being a toy dog the smaller the better, provided type and points are not sacrificed.  Anything over 18 lb. should disqualify.  When divided by weight, classes should be over 10 lb., and under 10 lb.  ACTION—­Free, strong and high; crossing feet or throwing them out in running should not take off marks; weakness of joints should be penalised.

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Lady Algernon Gordon-Lennox has occasionally been criticised for her advocacy of whole-coloured specimens, but in support of this preference it can be proved that the original pair brought to Goodwood, as well as Mrs. Murray’s Ah Cum, 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.