Ornamental Dogs
An article by H.M.A. Leow called “The Surprising Imperial History of the Pekinese Dog” is about how Pekinese dogs became an accessory to British women because of their small, feminine like appearance. The small lap dogs do not share much history with other dogs, because most dogs today have a history of being used in hunting, but not these toy-sized lap ornaments.
Back in 1905 a British association called the Ladies Kennel Association was holding a dog show when a Chinese man was invited to be a judge. The Chinese man started to argue with one of the women over a perfect dog breed. The British held the dogs in a high standard. Leow states, "Within this realm of nostalgia, the dogs functioned as potent souvenirs, linking metropolis and colony through close connections between colonial conquest, sentimental pet rearing, and domestic spaces,” writes Cheang, noting that owning and breeding the Pekingese dog had become “an important expression of upper-class and imperialistic British femininities.” British royals were the only ones to own the dogs, so they were considered a higher taste. So, when the Chinese man challenged the British woman, she took it personally.
Today in Britan the dogs are still commonly found, but not just the royal families have them anymore. The breed that was once considered a "woman's" dog can be found anywhere in the world instead of just Britain. The interesting history of the Pekinese dogs just being a lap accessory is surprising considering other dogs, even small dogs, were using for hunting or other recreational use. A dog being used for only an ornamental purpose is kind of rare to hear about.
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