t
From tHE PEkinGEsE cLuB of aMErica
While we will all miss him, we are all so much better for him being here.
From dEnnis sPrunG AKC President & CEO
When one thinks Pekingese, be in it Canada, America, England or any cor- ner of the world, the first kennel that comes to mind is the world renowned St. Aubrey Elsdon kennel. With a great eye to the future and grasp of breed essentials, the team of R. William Taylor and Nigel Aubrey Jones vaulted Pekingese to the forefront of the dog show scene in North Ameri- ca. Their careful breeding practices, expert assessment of breeding stock and generous nature with their dogs have ensured a safe future for untold generations of quality Pekingese yet to come. In spite of inactivity in the sport for the past several years, nearly every Pekingese show kennel in North Amer- ica can still trace their dogs back to St. Aubrey Elsdon. However, there was so much more to Bill Taylor than simply being an out- standing dog man. He was an excep- tional human being. Bill set the exam- ple for all of us for personal integrity, ethics and sportsmanship. Although an old fashioned term, Bill epitomized the word “gentleman.” We can all take lessons from Mr. R. William Taylor and hold him up as our ideal, as the bar, something to strive for. The world is a little less today for Bill’s leaving. Godspeed Mr. Taylor. From tHE PEkinGEsE association R. William Taylor was the Patron of The Pekingese Association R. William “Bill” Taylor was the world’s foremost expert on the Peking- ese breed. He shared his expertise, his passion and his dogs freely, all for the betterment of the breed. For nearly 60 years, the St. Aubrey Elsdon dogs have had a favorable effect on the breed not only in North America, but worldwide. The breed will go on for untold genera- tions with the positive influence of the St. Aubrey Elsdon. However, Bill’s biggest influence within the sport was his kindness, his integrity and his personal standard of conduct. Bill was at all times a gentle- man, his integrity unquestionable and his kindness consistent. At all times, Bill demonstrated what we should all aspire to as sportsmen.
On behalf of the American Kennel Club, as well as Susan and myself, we remember the esteemed dog man, R. William Taylor today. Perhaps he and Nigel were the most influential visit- ing breeders, exhibitors and judges ever to grace our shores. Bill’s integrity and knowledge of all breeds was in our opinion, beyond compare, but he was a true master of Pekingese specifically and there was no better teacher. In the words of AKC’s chairman, Ron Mena- ker, “He was a great man and judge.” A win in the ring is always appreci- ated, however under Bill, it became a cherished moment, a breeder’s reward and the launch or culmination of a dog’s career. Personally, for over 40 years, Susan and I will always treasure our friend- ship with Bill and will always remem- ber all the great times with this master breeder, friend and mentor. How do you pay tribute to a leg- end? Everyone is at a loss as to where to begin. Plain and simple, a dear friend and an icon in our dog community is gone. There are no words that can express our sorrow in the loss of such a great man. He will be terribly missed. It’s never easy to lose a friend. It’s much more painful when that friend was your idol, mentor and a guiding light. For as long as I can remember, R. William Taylor portrayed my ideal for what a gentleman and a dog show judge should be. Later when I had the privi- lege to be called a friend, my opinion only intensified. Bill’s high standards for quality in all aspects of his life was contagious. I learned so much from him, trying to absorb the great stories of the past—besides sharing his knowl- edge of dogs, gardens and people. From MattHEw standEr, EuGEnE ZaPHaris (Afghans of Grandeur) & MicHaEL canaLiZo From david fitZPatrick I learned that orange marmalade was only to be made from oranges grown
From MicHaEL HiLL Secretary, The National Pekingese Club of Canada As witness to the high regard in which Bill Taylor was held outside Cana- dian borders, the following Pekingese Breed Clubs wish to pay tribute to him: s 4HE 0EKINGESE !SSOCIATION 53 "ILL was the Patron for their Association. s 4HE 0EKINGESE #LUB OF !MERICA 53 s 4HE )NVICTA 0EKINGESE #LUB 5+ Bill was an honorary member and it was at their show he judged Peking- ese in the UK for the last time. s 4HE 0EKIN 0ALACE $OG !SSOCIATION 5+ "ILL WAS THE 0ATRON FOR their club. s 4HE 0EKINGESE #LUB 5+ "ILL WAS A Life Member of their club. On behalf of The National Peking- ese Club of Canada, I wish to pay trib- ute to one of our nation’s most brilliant authorities on dog breeding, exhibiting and judging. Bill Taylor’s lifetime achievements in preserving and protecting the Peking- ese placed him as the world’s foremost breed authority and earned him a very special place in the hearts and minds of Pekingese fanciers in Canada and throughout the world. His fervent loyalty as to what was correct and acceptable in the breed and his tenacity in protecting the Peking- ese from the unwise thoughts and decisions of the ill-informed cannot go unmentioned. The Pekingese fraternity in Canada will not forget the debt we owe to Bill Taylor, forever the gentleman and one of much integrity. The immortal dragon St. aubrey laparata dragon—was spotted by nigel as a stubborn puppy with his breeder lilian Snook at a london Pekingese show, and he was determined to have him. He is now considered to be the father of the modern Pekingese in north america and has many top winning descendants in the uK, too. (Photo by Thomas Fall; courtesy of the mary evans Picture library)
t5 01 / 05$) 5 0:4 ' $"3:
Powered by FlippingBook