Irene Reasons Register Of Merit Breeder (PCA)

Past President and Board Member

Pekingese Club Of America

President - Pekingese Club Of Georgia

I first became interested in Pekingese when my husband Chuck was assigned to duty at the Brize Norton USAF air base in Oxfordshire, England in 1957. I was at an antique show and a well dressed lady had this beautiful dog on her knee, I asked her about the breed. Later on, I saw a 6 week old Pekingese litter on a British TV show hosted by well known All Rounder Dog Judge, Stanley Dangerfield. That was when I promptly fell in love and shortly after purchased my first Peke, a small bitch named IMP. I recentley celebrated 50 Years involved in the Pekingese Breed in 2008. I usually have bred and breed one litter per year always aiming to breed the next Best In Show Dog. I have always felt the strength in my line are my bitches. To name a few, Ch.Lakshmi Perfect Love Affair, Ch.Lakshmi A Fine Romance, Ch. Lakshmi Cassandra (ROM) , Ch.Lakshmi Zelda , Ch. Lakshmi Witchcraft , Ch.Lakshmi Love Song, Ch.Jo-Li Wonderwoman of Lakshmi, Ch. Lakshmi Julietta, Ch.Lakshmi Marybelle and Ch.Lakshmi Gold Tiara. More recently, Lakshmi Silk Slipper is helping carry on the Lakshmi Line through her lovely daughters Sp.Gib.Ch.Lakshmi Serenade (Owned by Angela & Luis Arenas, Spain), Lakshmi So Sassy , Lakshmi Silk Brocade and Lakshmi Silk Sari.

During my partnership with Joseph F. Joly 3rd., who very kindly co-owned 3 of his bitches with me, I was able to breed to his Top Winning Dog and #1 Multi.BIS. Ch.Joli Wind In The Willows. Superman as he was known , produced my much loved Ch.Lakshmi Custom Made For Jo-Li, who in turn produced a beautiful small boy Ch. Sam`s Simon of Lakshmi, owned by Jerry Gray. Later came BIS.BISS.Ch.Jo-Li Rufus Of Lakshmi and Ch.Jo-Li Amberglo Of Lakshmi and Ch.Jo-Li Red Letter Of Lakshmi. Another top winner was produced when I bred to the Top Winning Toy Dog and Westminster Group Winner BIS.BISS.Ch.Briarcourt`s Damien Gable. His name was Ch.Lakshmi Valentino Of Jo-Li and he went on to be a Multi. BIS Winner and the #1 Pekingese for two years. He also won Best Of Breed and a Group 3 at The Westminster KC Dog Show.

I have owned and shown many beautiful dogs. Among them were 2 Champion Silky Terriers, a breed I am very fond of, one of whom was from my friend Diane Magnusson’s renowned Lapsitter Kennels, did well in the groups. I also had a gorgeous Maltese , Ch. Salterr Gloryseeker who went on to become the #2 Maltese in the US and # 1 in Canada at the same time.  There are many more Lakshmi champions as you can imagine, after 50 years the triumphs are many and the memories are grand. I am still actively breeding and have put some of my best dogs with friends to ensure that the Lakshmi Legacy is in good hands with a bright future. I would like to thank my dear friends in the breed for their support and collaboration in helping me continue to do what I love.