It would not be fitting to close an article on Pekinese without bearing testimony to their extraordinarily attractive characteristics.  They are intensely affectionate and faithful, and have something almost cat-like in their domesticity.  They display far more character than the so-called “toy dog” usually does, and for this reason it is all-important that pains should be taken to preserve the true type, in a recognition of the fact that quality is more essential than quantity.

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As their breed-name implies, these tiny black and white, long-haired lap dogs are reputed to be natives of the land of the chrysanthemum.  The Japanese, who have treasured them for centuries, have the belief that they are not less ancient than the dogs of Malta.  There seems to be a probability, however, that the breed may claim to be Chinese just as surely as Japanese.  The Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison, an authority on exotic dogs whose opinion must always be taken with respect, is inclined to the belief that they are related to the short-nosed Spaniels of Thibet; while other experts are equally of opinion that the variety is an offshoot from the Spaniels of Pekin.  It is fairly certain that they are indigenous to the Far East, whence we have derived so many of our small snub-nosed, large-eyed, and long-haired pets.  The Oriental peoples have always bred their lap dogs to small size, convenient for carrying in the sleeve.  The “sleeve dog” and the “chin dog” are common and appropriate appellations in the East.

The Japanese Spaniel was certainly known in England half a century ago, and probably much earlier.  Our seamen often brought them home as presents for their sweethearts.  These early imported specimens were generally of the larger kind, and if they were bred from—­which is doubtful—­it was by crossing with the already long-established King Charles or Blenheim Spaniels.  Their colours were not invariably white and black.  Many were white and red, or white with lemon-yellow patches.  The colouring other than white was usually about the long-fringed ears and the crown of the head, with a line of white running from the point of the snub black nose between the eyes as far as the occiput.  This blaze up the face was commonly said to resemble the body of a butterfly, whose closed wings were represented by the dog’s expansive ears.

The white and black colouring is now the most frequent.  The points desired are a broad and rounded skull, large in proportion to the dog’s body; a wide, strong muzzle and a turned-up lower jaw.  Great length of body is not good; the back should be short and level.  The legs are by preference slender and much feathered, the feet large and well separated.  An important point is the coat.  It should be abundant, particularly about the neck, where it forms a ruffle, and it ought to be quite straight and very silky.  The Japanese Spaniel is constitutionally delicate,