| Northern Counties Shih Tzu Club 2025 | Date : 5th April 2025 |
|
|
I would like to thank the officers and committee for their kind invitation to judge their Championship show and all of the kind exhibitors who supported my entry and the club. I have waited 22 years for this opportunity to judge the breed at this level and I am an independent breeder, exhibitor and judge with no affiliation to any other breeders or bloodlines. I very much enjoyed my day and judging such a lovely entry, my top winners were high quality and fitted the standard well, were well balanced, sound and free moving examples of the breed.
My only concerns over my entry were that we risk we are losing the round eyes and soft expression that the breed is well known for. High set ears, and toplines were a concern, as were lack of the clear full pads showing on the move and a few could have had straighter from forelegs, tail sets need to be watched. I had a few dogs that were strung up too harshly ruining the movement sadly, and to be critical some could improve the presentation of their exhibits.
I make no excuse for placing different styles of Shih Tzu, they all fit the standard in their own way and the breed no longer has the numbers from large kennels that were around in years gone by, so there is a variety of styles in the ring these days. I judged all styles equally on the day in the conditions of the show. I am sure in other conditions outside for instance some may move better. |
