Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge with us, firstly can you tell us
a bit about yourself – how long have you been a judge?

I started judging poultry back in 1980

What makes a Pekin stand out above the rest of the class for you?

Apart from excellent type etc., combination of excellent condition & presentation (especially foot feather) and a bright red face. Usually they are either perfectly clean etc., but rather pale faced because kept in all the time; or bright red face and dirty or with broken footings from 'enjoying the great outdoors'.

What are the most common faults you see when judging Pekins?

Generally poor specimens entered by some beginners. There seems to be a huge gulf between 'the best' and 'the rest'; which applies to many other breeds as well. Certainly there are some beginners who 'get it', and are quick to learn how to be a proper fancier, but others don't seem to improve.

Do you get more pleasure from judging the Blacks and Whites or the Any Other Colours
and please explain why?

I most enjoy judging, and seeing good examples of, Blue, Lavender and Partridge Pekins; difficult but traditional varieties. Blacks and Whites still usually win 'Best Pekin' because there are many good strains kept by skilled fanciers, wheras some of the new colours are still poor, and in some cases I think, "Why did they bother?" Partridge Pekins have been shown since the 1890s, and should be much better than they are (no proper separate cock-breeder & pullet-breeder strains?), but its still nice to see a good one.

Over your years as a judge, how have Pekins changed? For example has the size changed,
are you finding different colours are now more popular?

I don't think so. Since I've known them (1980) there has always been a big (north)/ small (south) split. More colours now? Certainly; as commented above, some better than others. Time for a period of consolidation, to bring quality of newer varieties up to the best, before adding more.

Can you recall the best Pekin you’ve ever judged and explain why you liked it so much?

Frankly, no, there isn't one. Equally frankly, I don't like Pekins much (i.e. I wouldn't keep them), but have still put them up for Best True Bantam, Show Champion and Reserve Champion many times when the Pekin was better than the other leading contenders. I have also given top awards to O.E.G., Orpingtons and R.I.R.s, and I don't much like any of them either. It's what an impartial judge should do. I don't have favourite breeds when I put my white coat on.