The First Pekingese Secured From the Summer Palace and Brought to England

The Pekingese breed is of the Royal breed of dog that existed in the Imperial palaces of the Celestial Empire. When the Summer Palace at Peking was looted by "foreign devils" bronze effigies of the Pekingese dogs were discovered known to be 2,000 years old. The Pekingese breed can also be found represented in all kinds of antique Chinese art. They may be seen carved in stone at the entrance of many an old temple. They are exquisitely portrayed in rare porcelains and tapestries. These little Pekingese creatures have always been jealously guarded and very few found their way into the outer world. The Pekingese were kept under the care of special attendants. These attendants were answerable for their safety with their lives. During this time it was impossible to obtain a specimen of the true Palace dog for any amount of money or love. It was only at the looting of the summer palace at Peking, during the occupation of the city by the Allies in 1860, that five of these exquisite creatures were forgotten in the hurried flight out of the Court. These five Pekingese were discovered in a part of the garden that was said to be the favorite place of the Emperor's Aunt, who committed suicide on the approach of the troops, the Princess Dowager.

Admiral Lord John Hay and another Naval Officer present at the time of the looting of the summer palace each took two of these Pekingese left in the garden, which was the foundation for the famous Goodwood strain. The fifth specimen was obtained by Gen. Dunn who gave it to Majesty Queen Victoria in England. It was a fawn and white, very small and attractive. Its portrait was painted for the Queen and is now said to be at the Windsor Castle. The other dogs were golden sable or rich chestnut brown with black markings. Their weight was from 4 to 6 pounds.

As far as historians can ascertain, these five Pekingese were the only Peking Palace or Sacred Temple Dogs which reached England for many years. A large proportion of the modern Pekingese can trace their ancestors to these five.

There were several unsuccessful attempts to get other Pekingese from the Palace. In 1896 Mrs. Douglas Murray succeeded in getting a pair direct from the Imperial Precincts. These were supposedly smuggled away with great difficulty. These two were the well known Ah Cum and Mimosa. Upon arrival in England their weight was 5 and 3 pounds respectively. The dog was bred to several of the Goodwood strain. In the first litters Ch. Goodwood Lo and Goodwood Put Sing were produced. These two and their father became famous sires. Most of the purest strains of the Pekingese today include them among their progenitors. Ah Cum lived a long life. He was said to be a true sleeve dog and perfect in all points.

In Peking the very small Pekingese specimens were called sleeve dogs because they were carried by the court ladies in the huge sleeves of their Chinese costumes.

And so are the beginnings of the Pekingese outside the Summer Palace.

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