Pekingese has been my passion since the age of ten, when I attended my first Dog Show in March 1972 it was a case of love at first sight. In those early days my mentors were Jim & Daisy McLernon (Rathlin) who allowed me to show their dogs in childrens handling classes and later in breed competition. I then handled for Heather Hamilton (Ratallach) Carmel O’Riordan (Meloth) and Maureen Deasy (Oysterhaven).
During this handling period I made up champions, won Groups, Best In Shows and Specialties.
It was During this early chapter in dogs that I made up my own first Champion in 1986 and began judging at Open show level in 1982, aged 20. Then my first IKC Championship Appointment in 1986, the same year I judged my first open Show in Great Britain.
In 1987 I moved to London and took a break from dogs to concentrate on my personal life. I lived in England for 25yrs with my late partner and great love Derek Smith who thankfully was a dog lover and who developed a genuine love and affection for the breed. I resumed my interest in dogs in 1993 and set about getting foundation stock from the Brentoy kennel of Ruby & Alan Charlton & StSanja Kennel of Ann Offiler.
I awarded my first set of RKC CC’S in 2006 at the platinum Anniversary show of the Birmingham Pekingese Association and in May of 2026 will have judged my sixth CC appointment in pekes in the UK.
I have judged the Toy Group/ GROUP 9 a dozen times at home in Ireland and had the great pleasure of judging Pekingese Specialties in many Countries from America to Russia to England and all over Europe including Germany France and Finland, so this is a much looked forward to return to the Finnish Pekingese Club.
We moved back to Ireland in 2013 and were here for less than two years when Derek passed away in January 2015. The Trendylook Pekingese Kennel has set many milestones in Ireland, with a record number of Champions, Group Winners and Best In Shows. Breed Record and Pekingese Group Record. etc etc.
There is no greater excitement than looking forward to the next generation of puppies and potential Champions.
As an amateur Breed Historian, I have contributed many articles over the years and been involved in several publications on the Pekingese.
I hope my passion for this beautiful and fascinating breed continues for many years to come.
Raymond O’Neill (2026)
