Full Critique for Boston & District CS 2026
Judge : Mrs Hazel Chadwick
This critique reflects the judge's opinion
based on what they saw on the day of the show.
| Firstly, I should like to thank the Officers and Committee of Boston and District Canine Society for their kind invitations to judge Shih Tzu at this year’s show. The showground was in fabulous condition; the rings were first class. Thank you for all your hard work which has been done to ensure the venue was in tip-top condition. I should also like to thank my very efficient ring steward John for all his help in keeping the ring moving and inputting the live results. I should like to thank the exhibitors who entered under me. I felt very honoured that so many wanted my opinion of their dogs. It was very much appreciated. This is my opinion of my findings on the day. Since I last judged in 2023, I found that we are still getting some exhibits with almond shaped eyes, rather than round. This can spoil the expression. I found that some exhibits had light-coloured eyes, though their other pigmentation was good. I noticed that there are more upright shoulders and loose elbows, both factors reduce/stop the true front Shih Tzu action. Some exhibits were very narrow between the front legs, with no heart room. I found temperaments to be superb, very friendly dogs and bitches. However, I did find what I was looking for, a well-balanced dog with a large head, dark, round eyes, well padded muzzle and a typical soft expression. Good width between the front legs, a broad and deep ribcage extending well back. Well angulated and well-muscled. A tail that is set and carried to complete the head to tail balance, level topline. Sound, free movement at the front and rear. The icing on the cake, a well-cared for coat. I was very pleased with both my Dog and Bitch line ups. I was very happy with both of my Challenge Certificate winners, likewise both of my Reserve Challenge Certificate winners. Also, my Best Puppy in Breed, Best Veteran in Breed and Best Special Beginner. |
| Minor Puppy Dog | ||
| 1st | Senousi Here To There Learmount | Solid gold, I liked his overall shape and balance. Large, well-shaped head, large dark eyes. Soft expression. Good dentition, ribcage deep and broad. Level topline, very good tail set, carried well. Moved and showed well. Shown in lovely coat and condition. Promising puppy. |
| 2nd | Tameron Mr Azzaro For Charonnis | Just 6 months, giving a little in maturity to 1. Black and white, I liked his overall outline and balance. Large head with lovely dark eyes, lovely dentition, has a pleasing soft expression. Moved and showed well. Shown in lovely coat and condition and well handled. He will come into his own as he matures. |
| Res | Ethelsmead Friendly Ghost | 4th minor puppy dog Black and white minor puppy so giving a lot away to the winner. Nice size and shape, well balanced. Pleasing head and expression, large dark round eyes. Level topline, very good tail set, and carriage good spring of ribs. Moved well. Gave his handler some problems today but should settle and show himself to best advantage. Shown in lovely coat and condition. |
| Puppy Dog | ||
| 1st | Tameron Mr Amouage | Gold and white, who has everything I was looking for size, shape and head to tail balance. Large head, dark expressive eyes, correct length of nose with a definite stop, very good dentition. Well-shaped neck, deep broad ribcage extending well back. Well angulated and muscled both front and rear. He moved well, keeping his shape on the move. Shown in beautiful coat and condition. Handled and presented immaculately. A very nice puppy who I am sure will have a very bright future. I was pleased to award him BPD and BPIB. |
| 2nd | Jadoremy Lion Of Juda | Black and white, just under 12months. Bigger type of dog than 1 however, he has very good head to tail balance, a large well shaped head, large dark eyes and a pleasing expression. Very good dentition and tail set. Broad ribcage moved and showed well. Presented in good coat and condition. BSB |
| Junior Dog | ||
| 1st | Santosha Storm Shadow | Gold and white. His overall outline is just sublime. Large well shaped head with large, dark, round expressive eyes. Correct length of nose, excellent dentition, giving a most pleasing soft and open expression. He has excellent angulation both front and rear. Good reach of neck which he uses to advantage on the move and standing. Well laid shoulders and tight elbows. Very good width and depth throughout. Wonderful tail set and carriage. True free Shih Tzu movement, extending well in front and driving from behind. Kept his shape on the move and standing. In excellent coat and condition, presented and handled immaculately. I was very pleased to award him the RCC. He should have a very bright future. |
| 2nd | Jadoremy Lion Of Juda | Black and white, just under 12months. Bigger type of dog than 1 however, he has very good head to tail balance, a large well shaped head, large dark eyes and a pleasing expression. Very good dentition and tail set. Broad ribcage moved and showed well. Presented in good coat and condition. BSB |
| Beginners Dog | ||
| 1st | Jadoremy Lion Of Juda | Black and white, just under 12months. Bigger type of dog than 1 however, he has very good head to tail balance, a large well shaped head, large dark eyes and a pleasing expression. Very good dentition and tail set. Broad ribcage moved and showed well. Presented in good coat and condition. BSB |
| 2nd | Ethelsmead Friendly Ghost | 4th minor puppy dog Black and white minor puppy so giving a lot away to the winner. Nice size and shape, well balanced. Pleasing head and expression, large dark round eyes. Level topline, very good tail set, and carriage good spring of ribs. Moved well. Gave his handler some problems today but should settle and show himself to best advantage. Shown in lovely coat and condition. |
| 3rd | Shidizzle Quartzite Star Of Crimsonleash | Gold and white, reasonable balance, I would like a higher tail set and carriage. Good head and dark eyes. Good dentition, broad ribcage moved okay. |
| Yearling Dog | ||
| 1st | Rottshihpa’s Magnificent Madness | Gold and white, bigger type of dog, but still had reasonable balance. Large head, dark eyes, good broad mouth with good dentition. Broad ribcage. Would have liked freer movement. |
| 2nd | Shidizzle Quartzite Star Of Crimsonleash | Gold and white, reasonable balance, I would like a higher tail set and carriage. Good head and dark eyes. Good dentition, broad ribcage moved okay. |
| Post Graduate Dog | ||
| 1st | Rossvale I Have A Dream JW | Gold and white, up to size, nice shape, and balance. Large head, dark, round eyes, good dentition, pleasing expression. Good reach of neck and shoulders. Particularly good tail. Moved well. Presented in good coat and condition. Handled well. |
| 2nd | Lyndatzu Love Bug | Dark gold and white, smaller type but with lots to like about him. Particularly good dentition and dark eyes, pleasing expression. I particularly liked his ribcage and tail set. I would have liked more verve on the move. Shown in good coat and condition. Well, handled. |
| Limit Dog | ||
| 1st | Shenleyvale Fifty Shades Of Orange JW | Solid gold with black mask. I loved his head to tail balance and outline. Large well shaped head with lovely dark expressive eyes. Correct placement and length of nose. He has a most pleasing soft expression. I loved his ribcage, so broad and deep, extending well back. Kept his shape standing and on the move. Moved very well and freely. In excellent coat and condition. Well-presented and handled. |
| 2nd | Chanikos My Mystery Dream Via Javerda JW | Gold brindle, I liked his overall shape, size, and balance. I preferred the ribcage of one. Large head, large dark eyes, correct nose placement, and length. Pleasing expression. Good dentition. Moved very well, freely with drive and arrogance. Presented and show in excellent coat and condition. |
| VHC | Ethelsmead True Grit | Gold and white 4 yrs. good balance and spring of ribs. Large head, dark eyes good expression. Would have liked to have seen more animation on the move. |
| Open Dog | ||
| 1st | Middletune Blazzin Saddles JW | Solid gold with black mask. One I have admired from the ringside for some time. Lovely size and beautifully balanced, no exaggerations. Large domed head with beautiful dark round expressive eyes. Well-padded muzzle and particularly good dentition all adding to give a lovely soft, open expression. Good reach of neck, well laid shoulders, tight elbows. His ribcage is deep and broad, extending well back. Level topline and very good tail set and carriage. Well angulated and muscled at both the front and rear. He moved very well, keeping his shape on the move. Shown and presented in excellent coat and condition. I was incredibly pleased to award him his first CC and BOS. I hope the other CCs will not be too far away. |
| 2nd | Ch. Tameron Mr Penhaligons | A very worthy champion. Pale gold and white. He is of a comparable size and balance to the winner. Beautiful, large head, dark, round expressive eyes, correct nose length, and placement. Good reach of neck, going into well laid shoulders and tight elbows. A broad ribcage with good depth and extending well back. Level topline. Particularly good tail set and carriage. He is well angulated and muscled both front and rear, which shows in his sound movement. Shown in excellent coat and condition. Very well handled. He is a very lovely dog. |
| Veteran Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Mifcahs The King And I JW (Dk,Nor,Swe,No,Int) | 7yrs old a very worthy multi- nation champion. Lovely outline and head to tail balance. Large domed head, large dark, round eyes, well padded muzzle. Good dentition, correct nose placement. Soft, open expression. Good reach of neck, well laid shoulders, level topline. Broad and deep ribcage. Lovely picture standing and on the move. Moved well fore and aft, extending well in front and driving from behind. Presented in excellent coat and condition. Well, handled. BVD |
| Good Citizen Scheme Dogs | ||
| 1st | Ethelsmead True Grit | Gold and white 4 yrs. good balance and spring of ribs. Large head, dark eyes good expression. Would have liked to have seen more animation on the move. |
| 2nd | Middletune Billy The Kid Under Misteltein | Pale solid gold with black mask. Well balanced head to tail, narrower than one. Good head and expression. Shown and presented in lovely coat and condition. I would have liked more verve in movement. |
| Minor Puppy Bitch | ||
| 1st | Jacquinta Moonlight Shadow | Solid black, lovely size, and shape. Very well balanced. Large head with a very open expression. Large, dark, round eyes, well-spaced. Correct nose placement and length, well-padded muzzle, and very good dentition. She has the prettiest of faces. Good reach of neck, well laid shoulders. Very good ribcage and good width throughout. She moved very well, extending well in front and driving from the rear. Shown in excellent coat and condition. A very happy puppy who should have a bright future. I was very pleased to award her BPB. |
| 2nd | Senousi Style It Out | Litter sister to my minor puppy dog winner. Gold and white, very pretty head and expression, needs to settle in topline. Good spring of ribs and very good dentition. Well angulated front and rear. Moved well. Shown in lovely coat and condition. |
| Puppy Bitch | ||
| 1st | Carlita’s Passion To Love At Shihmali | Very pretty gold and white, of nice size and shape. I liked her head to tail balance creating a lovely outline. Good reach of neck, good front and shoulders, well sprung ribs, good angulation front and rear, level topline. Moved very well with drive. A very happy baby. Shown and presented in excellent coat and condition. |
| 2nd | Shenleyvale Simply The Zest At Evieshu | Gold and white, slightly larger than 1. Very pretty, well-shaped head. Large, dark, round eyes. Correct nose length and placement, very good mouth, and dentition, giving a most pleasing expression. Well sprung ribs with good depth and reach. Well angulated front and rear. Moved very well with drive and enthusiasm. Shown and presented in excellent coat and condition. Very well handled. It was a close decision between 1 and 2, they are quite different but both had admirable qualities. I am sure they will change places on other occasions. |
| Res | Sassyshi So Beautiful | reserve in puppy. Gold and white, pretty girl, good ribcage, dark eyes, good dentition. Moved well, coming along nicely. |
| Junior Bitch | ||
| 1st | Marhilway Cutting It For Cabbala | Gold and white just under 12monthhs. Bigger than I like however, she is very well balanced. Good head with large, dark, round eyes, well-padded muzzle, correct nose placement, pretty expression, very good mouth and dentition, level topline and very good tail set and carriage. Moved out well, keeping her shape. Shown and presented in excellent coat and condition. Handled well. |
| 2nd | Snowshoes Black Bettie | Very pretty, solid black. Nice size and overall shape. Well balanced, topline rising at moment, but has time to settle. Held her shape on the move. Moved well. Shown and presented in lovely coat and condition. |
| Res | Carlita’s Passion To Love At Shihmali | Very pretty gold and white, of nice size and shape. I liked her head to tail balance creating a lovely outline. Good reach of neck, good front and shoulders, well sprung ribs, good angulation front and rear, level topline. Moved very well with drive. A very happy baby. Shown and presented in excellent coat and condition. |
| VHC | Shenleyvale Simply The Zest At Evieshu | Gold and white, slightly larger than 1. Very pretty, well-shaped head. Large, dark, round eyes. Correct nose length and placement, very good mouth, and dentition, giving a most pleasing expression. Well sprung ribs with good depth and reach. Well angulated front and rear. Moved very well with drive and enthusiasm. Shown and presented in excellent coat and condition. Very well handled. It was a close decision between 1 and 2, they are quite different but both had admirable qualities. I am sure they will change places on other occasions. |
| Beginners Bitch | ||
| 1st | Senousi Style It Out | Litter sister to my minor puppy dog winner. Gold and white, very pretty head and expression, needs to settle in topline. Good spring of ribs and very good dentition. Well angulated front and rear. Moved well. Shown in lovely coat and condition. |
| 2nd | Sassyshi So Beautiful | reserve in puppy. Gold and white, pretty girl, good ribcage, dark eyes, good dentition. Moved well, coming along nicely. |
| Yearling Bitch | ||
| 1st | Snowshoes Black Bettie | Very pretty, solid black. Nice size and overall shape. Well balanced, topline rising at moment, but has time to settle. Held her shape on the move. Moved well. Shown and presented in lovely coat and condition. |
| 2nd | Miracey Miss Holly Berry JW | Gold and white, very pretty head and expression. Good spring of ribs, well angulated front, and rear, giving good head to tail balance. Good tail set and carriage. Moved well. Shown and presented in lovely coat and condition. |
| 3rd | Ethelsmead Hocus Pocus To Kengai | A very lovely gold and white bitch who has much to like about her. A very well shaped head, large, dark, round well-spaced eyes. The prettiest of expression. Very good mouth and dentition, good reach of neck, level topline and very good tail set and carriage. Well-constructed front and rear. Unfortunately, she had a fright and did not do herself justice on the move. I hope she recovers because she is a very promising young lady. |
| Post Graduate Bitch | ||
| 1st | Chanikos Harper Seven At Evieshu JW | Black and white, nice size and shape, well balanced. Pretty head and expression, a bit more upright in shoulder than I like. Good spring of ribs, level topline. Moved out well. Shown and presented in excellent coat and condition. Well, handled. |
| 2nd | Ethelsmead Working Girl At Shidizzle | Dark gold and white, nice size and balance. Good spring of ribs, good tail. does not make as balanced a picture as one. Moved out well. Presented in good coat and condition. |
| 3rd | Middletune Chantilly Lace | Solid gold with black mask. Nice size and shape bot as well balanced as one. I would have liked a darker eye however, a pretty girl. Well, presented and handled in good coat and condition. |
| Limit Bitch | ||
| 1st | Santosha Senorita At Chiachi | Deep gold and white, she makes such a balanced picture both standing and on the move. Large head with large, dark, round, expressive eyes, which are well spaced. Correct nose length and placement. Exceptionally good mouth and dentition, putting it all together to create a very soft, beautiful, oriental expression. Very good reach of neck. Excellent front and rear construction, well angulated. Very broad, deep ribcage, extending well back, plenty of heart room. Level topline, excellent tail set and carriage. Her movement is sublime. She carries herself so well, she almost floats around the ring. I just loved her and I was very pleased to award her the CC and BOB. I hope that her crowning CC will not be too far away. Beautifully presented in excellent coat and condition. Very well handled. |
| 2nd | Sassyshi Cake By The Ocean With Shirkeira JW | Another particularly good bitch. Gold, brindle and white. Lots to like about her. A lot of my comments about one apply to her too. I just preferred the expression and ring presence of 1 today. She moved very well with purpose and verve. I hope that her crowning CC will come soon too. These are two very good bitches. |
| Open Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Senousi Love The Dress | Deep solid gold with a black mask. Mature girl, superbly balanced head to tail. Level topline, lovely tail set and carriage. Great head, with large, round dark eyes, very soft open expression. So beautiful, smooth, and arrogant on the move, keeping her shape throughout. Shown in excellent coat and condition. Very well handled. Loved her, she pushed the CC winner hard. I was incredibly pleased to award her the RCC. |
| 2nd | Ch. Eastfane’s Garam Masala (N/Fin/SE/UCH) | Another quality gold and white. Very well balanced, very pretty head and expression. Very good ribcage in depth, width, and length. Particularly good tail set and carriage, level topline. Moved very well. Shown and presented in excellent coat and condition. Very well handled. |
| Res | Ch. Middletune Modesty Blaise JW | A very worthy champion. Solid gold brindle. Lovely head to tail balance making a very good outline, level topline, very pretty head, and expression. Moved very well. Shown and presented in excellent coat and condition. Very well handled. |
| Veteran Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Marpalyn Phab Gold | Solid gold black mask almost 8yrs. A beautiful type in size, shape, and balance. So lovely to go over. Large well-shaped head with lovely dark, well-spaced expressive eyes. Very good nose placement and dentition. Good reach of neck, very good front construction, and ribcage. Well angulated rear, level topline exceptionally good tail set and carriage, keeps her shape on the move. She moved well extending out in front and driving from behind. Shown in excellent coat and condition. Very well handled. She came into my considerations for the RCC. I was pleased to award her BV. |
| 2nd | Ch. Centastage Just Imagine (Dutch Vet Ch) | 8 and a half yr old. Deep gold and white. I gave her the open bitch class last time I judged. My opinion of her has not changed. Excellent quality larger than 1 but still within standard. So well balanced. Large well-shaped head with large dark eyes, pretty expression. Very good neck and shoulders. Her ribcage is broad, deep and extends well back. Excellent tail carriage. Moved very well. Shown and presented in excellent coat and condition. Very well handled. |
| Good Citizen Scheme Bitches | ||
| 1st | Ch. Middletune Modesty Blaise JW | A very worthy champion. Solid gold brindle. Lovely head to tail balance making a very good outline, level topline, very pretty head, and expression. Moved very well. Shown and presented in excellent coat and condition. Very well handled. |
| 2nd | Middletune Chantilly Lace | Solid gold with black mask. Nice size and shape bot as well balanced as one. I would have liked a darker eye however, a pretty girl. Well, presented and handled in good coat and condition. |