Full Critique for Southern Counties 2022
Judge : A Tunold Hanssen
This critique reflects the judge's opinion
based on what they saw on the day of the show.
| It was with the greatest pleasure but also respect I accepted the invitation to judge Shih-Tzus in the UK, the country responsible for the standard. This is a breed I have never owned myself but in my younger days I worked as a kennel assistant for a Lhasa Apso breeder and currently I spend my everyday life with a small flock of Tibetan Spaniels, Shih-Tzus are well known to me. The background of the breed is also showcasing a strong cooperation and influence between the UK and the Scandinavian Shih-Tzu scene. When judging the breed on several occasions in Scandinavia and on the continent, I have found very good representatives of the breed but often been left with a feeling that the general quality has been somewhat missing. Nothing wrong, but at the same time nothing extra. And a Shih-Tzu, in my mind, should be anything but ordinary. With this as my background, I was quite excited to find out what this day would bring. And what a day it turned out to be! As with any breed at any show it was a mix of dogs and quality entered, of course, but I must say it was a pleasure to see a high general quality of well-balanced exhibits with the desired model and silhouette with, not to forget, a high carried tail, well carried over the back, as a signature for the breed. This combined with the correct substance and shape of body, - and the very breed characteristic movements, I really enjoyed my time in the ring with the Shih-Tzus to the fullest! A big thank you to Southern Counties for inviting me and organizing such a well-run show, to my ring stewards for hassle free handling of all the administrative aspects allowing me to concentrate on the dogs, - and last but not least – to the exhibitors for showing their dogs under me and allowing me this very positive experience I will remember for a long time. |
| Minor Puppy Dog | ||
| 1st | Coursani Still We Rise | Masculine and already well developed for his age. A bit long in body proportions. Well rounded, strong head with excellent square muzzle and very nice bite. Head carried proudly. Already nicely bodied up with promising spring of ribs. Strong enough topline. Moves with excellent drive, still somewhat narrow behind. Carries himself well on the move. Nicely carried tail. |
| 2nd | Santosha Shockwave Of Shenleyvale | Still very much a puppy and naturally needs time to develop. Promising shape and strength of head. Nicely placed eyes and a warm expression. Nice topline and length of body, but still needs time to get a bit more volume in chest and ribcage. Promising bone. Nice feet. Moves with confidence. Would have liked a bit higher tail carriage to balance the outline a bit more. |
| Puppy Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Santosha Memory of Love | Masculine, nice overall substance. Very appealing outline and balance. Masculine head, well-shaped muzzle, eyes set well apart giving a very nice expression. Excellent neck carriage. Body of already nice shape and good substance. Well angulated front. A bit straight in rear angulation but moves with good drive, showing full pad. Promising coat quality. |
| 2nd | Peekin Reggie Rebel-Tu | Very nice outline and overall balance. Just the right length of body, giving a sturdy impression. Not quite as developed in body yet as the first, but promising spring and length of ribcage. Promising movements but did not quite want to show off his movements today. Well set tail, promising tail carriage. Still just a puppy so will hopefully get a bit more strength all over with time. |
| Junior Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Tameron Mr Black Is Back | Very appealing outline, head and expression coming into the ring. Strong and masculine head with well rounded scull. Well placed eyes and nose. Just the right balance in body proportions. Moves smoothly with good drive and very nice tail carriage. Promising coat that is still very youthful and soft. |
| 2nd | Massarati Arssamandi Astarte Gold At Densown (ImpP | Another very appealing outline. Very well shaped head, good expression. Excellent neck carriage. Well placed shoulder and front gives a smooth transmission between neck and topline. Very nicely carried tail. Would have liked to see a bit more rear angulation. Not quite the same drive on the move as the first. |
| Res | Marhilway Driving Edge At Jacquinta JW | Nice outline but somewhat longer in body and not quite the same substance as the first. Masculine head of good size. Well placed, nicely rounded eyes. Good reach of neck. Would have liked to see a bit more volume of body and a stronger topline. Well placed and carried tail with nice height. |
| Yearling Dog | ||
| 1st | Santosha Dark Secret With Coursani | One that really grasped my attention in the line-up of the class. Such a classic model standing in excellent balance, covered with a dense, well-presented coat. A proudly carried masculine head, looking at you with that typical warm and somewhat arrogant expression. Just the right length of body that gives a great combination of sturdiness and elegance. Combining this with such a nicely high carried tail he just demanded to be counted for. Moved with drive and style, keeping the nice outline. A dog I keep remembering thinking back on this day. Naturally he still needs some more time to fully mature in body, but I could with greatest pleasure award him the reserve ticket in the challenge. A dog I am sure will do really well in the times to come. RCC. |
| 2nd | Ch. Matsuba King Of Hearts | Another quality exhibit I liked very much. Standing in natural balance with a very pleasing outline. Not quite the same substance in head yet as the first, but nicely shaped skull and muzzle and with a very typical and attractive expression. Promising shape and length of body. Strong bone, firm feet. Moves with drive and typical flick-up. Nicely carried tail also on the move. A strong contestant in the class and another interesting breed representatives for the future. |
| Graduate Dog | ||
| 1st | Charonnis Vegas High Roller | A boy of nice substance but could have been a bit shorter in body to create a more collected and sturdier outline. Masculine, well rounded head of sufficient substance. Nice expression. Well proportioned neck of good length. Level topline. Tail could have had a higher carriage. Moves well when he wanted to but did not quite want to show his movements today. |
| 2nd | Marhilway Driving Edge At Jacquinta JW | Nice outline but somewhat longer in body and not quite the same substance as the first. Masculine head of good size. Well placed, nicely rounded eyes. Good reach of neck. Would have liked to see a bit more volume of body and a stronger topline. Well placed and carried tail with nice height. |
| Post Graduate Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Senousi Dressed For It By Fairmere | A very nice and appealing outline. Could perhaps be a tad shorter in body to give a somewhat more compact impression. Excellent balance and high carriage of head and tail. Excellent head with well-rounded and placed eyes giving a typical expression. Solid body with well-shaped ribcage. Moves with drive, showing full pad, and nicely carried head and tail on the move. |
| 2nd | Juhua’s Expecto Patronum For Jadoremy | Another quality male with a well-balanced outline. Head of substance. Dark well-rounded eyes of good size. Nice arrogant expression. Good substance of body. Well placed and carried tail. Not quite the same mover as the first, a bit more moderate in angulation and drive. Excellent coat. |
| Limit Dog | ||
| 1st | Miracey Sand Warrior For Tilbe | Well balanced but somewhat longer body proportions. Well rounded, masculine head of good size. Good expression. Good reach of neck. Well laid back and angulated front assembly. Body of good substance and well coupled. A bit long in loin. Carries the tail well. Could have had a bit more angulation behind to be in more balance with the front assembly. Moves with good reach in front. |
| 2nd | Matsha Jambalaya | Well put together giving a nice outline and natural balance but would have liked a bit more substance to him. Well-shaped head with nice details, but also here I could have liked a bit more substance for a male. Suitable substance and volume of body. Moves with good drive and energy. |
| Open Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Miracey Zero Hour | Powerful male, with a very attractive and complete outline, nicely combining sturdiness with elegance. Not the smallest of males but full of type. Looking at you with an appealing, arrogant, self-confident, but warm expression. Well rounded head, masculine of the right substance. Square muzzle with correct length and bite. Nicely arched neck, strong topline. Excellent mature body of the right shape and substance. Strong bone. High carried tail that gives a typical silhouette. Moved around the ring with power and purpose and a great ring presence. Could not be overlooked in the challenge, and the maturity and “full package” won him the ticket today. DCC. |
| 2nd | Ch. Daltricia Jamie Lee JW ShCEx OSW | Another quality male with excellent outline and balance. Not quite the same substance in head as the first. Well arched neck of good length. Strong, level topline. Tail carried with good height, well over back. Somewhat longer in body proportions compared to the first. Moves with drive and a very nice arrogant attitude. Excellent coat quality. |
| Veteran Dog | ||
| 2nd | Jadoremy Thunder Bolt Zuse Sh CM VW | Another well-kept veteran of quality. Masculine head with well-rounded dark eyes set well apart, creating a very typical expression. Muzzle of correct length and substance. Sufficient length of neck, nicely arched. Strong body. Carries the tail well, standing and on the move. Well angulated front, a bit more moderate angulated rear. Well presented, in really good condition for his age. |
| Minor Puppy Bitch | ||
| 1st | Santosha Sunkissed At Miracey | 7 months of an excellent and appealing model. So feminine but still with the wanted substance the breed calls for. Feminine, well-rounded head. Nicely wide placed round eyes and muzzle of good width gives a warm and appealing expression. Underjaw can still be a bit stronger to complete the picture. Nicely arched neck that carries the head proudly. Already body of good substance and well-shaped ribcage. Well placed tail that carries with sufficient height. Moves with very nice drive and good reach in front, when she feels like showing off her movements that is. With her breed typical temperament, she was not quite convinced running around in a ring was what she wanted to do too much of today. One just has to love this attitude! Her nice model and typical temperament won her the class and best puppy. BP. |
| 2nd | Coursani Sand Queen | A very appealing model and balanced outline. A bit longer in body than the first. Feminine with a strong head with nice breed details. Excellent neck carriage. Body with well coupled ribs.and good chest. Level topline. Good tailset. Effective, purposeful movements with nice flick-up. |
| Puppy Bitch | ||
| 1st | Chanikos Tangerine Dream of Shenleyvale JW | Nice outline, size and good substance. A very appealing head with excellent arrogant expression. Sufficient body for her age. Well-constructed front and rear assembly. Excellent tail set and carriage with just the right height to give a very balanced outline. Promising coat. A happy mover. |
| 2nd | Chanikos Time To Dream | Another well-constructed bitch. Quite similar in type and outline as the first. Feminine head. Well placed dark eyes. Good reach of neck. Good front but still a bit narrow in front movements. Could have had a bit more angulation behind. Still a bit of a raising topline that hopefully will level out with time. Moves with power and good reach. Very promising coat quality. |
| Junior Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Rossvale Little Black Dress | Not the biggest of bitches, which is positive. So well put together. Lovely balance. Feminine head and expression. Carries her head proudly on a well arched neck, also on the move. Sufficient body volume for her age. A very pleasing picture both standing and on the move. |
| 2nd | Marhilway Explorer The Edge | Nice bitch of a bit more size and substance than the first. Strong, well-rounded head. Wide placed eyes of good size. Strong muzzle. Nice expression. Sufficient length of neck. Balanced angulated in front and rear, with a well-placed, well carried tail at the end. Comes well together on the move and gives a nicely balanced impression. |
| Res | Shirkeira Tabitha | Nice model of good size. Well-shaped head with nice expression. Well angulated but a bit wide in front. Good body of nice substance. Could have carried the tail more proudly and would have liked to see a bit more angulation in rear construction. |
| VHC | Tzusweet Black Pearl | Nice outline and stands in a very natural balance. Feminine head, appealing expression. Balanced angulated in front and rear. Moves with good drive, but I would have liked to see a stronger and more level topline on the move. |
| Beginners Bitch | ||
| 1st | Sampa Keke Tisha Dicky | Feminine with just the right substance for her size. Well rounded head with nice expression. Could have been a bit shorter in body proportions to give a somewhat more collected overall balance. Moderate and balanced angulated in front and rear. Moves with purpose and drive. Typical rear movements showing a full pad. Excellent coat quality. |
| Yearling Bitch | ||
| 1st | Shirkeira Tabitha | Nice model of good size. Well-shaped head with nice expression. Well angulated but a bit wide in front. Good body of nice substance. Could have carried the tail more proudly and would have liked to see a bit more angulation in rear construction. |
| 2nd | Tzusweet Black Pearl | Nice outline and stands in a very natural balance. Feminine head, appealing expression. Balanced angulated in front and rear. Moves with good drive, but I would have liked to see a stronger and more level topline on the move. |
| Graduate Bitch | ||
| 1st | Shirkeira Tabitha | Nice model of good size. Well-shaped head with nice expression. Well angulated but a bit wide in front. Good body of nice substance. Could have carried the tail more proudly and would have liked to see a bit more angulation in rear construction. |
| 2nd | Cavateena Situla Scarlet for Lavril | Feminine of good size. Well balanced outline. Well-shaped head of good size and substance. Muzzle of square shape and good substance with correct bite. Eyes well placed and well apart but would have liked to have seen them a bit less protruding to give a warmer expression. Well carried neck of good length. Positive volume of body. Nice tail carriage. Would have liked a bit more angulation behind but moves with good energy. |
| Res | Chanikos Time To Dream | Another well-constructed bitch. Quite similar in type and outline as the first. Feminine head. Well placed dark eyes. Good reach of neck. Good front but still a bit narrow in front movements. Could have had a bit more angulation behind. Still a bit of a raising topline that hopefully will level out with time. Moves with power and good reach. Very promising coat quality. |
| Post Graduate Bitch | ||
| 1st | Santosha Ice Queen of Coursani | A very well-balanced bitch with a very feminine head and a very sweet expression. Sufficient length of neck, well arched. Body of nice substance, sturdy without being too heavy. Well carried tail with good height. Moves with nice drive and typical movements. |
| 2nd | Marhilway Spirited Edge | Nicely shaped bitch. Stands in good balance and gives a typical outline. Very pleasing head and expression. Well-shaped ribcage but a bit thin today. Could have had a bit more substance of body. Nicely angulated in front and rear. Moves well but not quite the same shape as of the first. |
| Limit Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Rossvale’s Finnish Model | Excellent model. Smart with a very nicely shaped outline. Well-shaped head of good substance, suitable strength for her size. Warm expression, square muzzle of good width. Well proportioned neck. Body of good substance and spring of ribs. Could have been a bit stronger in rear, a bit narrow, but moves with very good drive also in rear action. A very pretty picture standing. |
| 2nd | Ch. Peekin Hoi-Tee-Toi-Tee-Tu | Feminine of good size. Good head with typical expression. Just the right amount of neck to carry the head proudly on the move. Sufficient strength and depth of body. Well carried tail. A bit narrow in front movements but has very effective and purposeful sidegait. |
| Open Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Corrlough Ice Maiden | In a strong open class, this very feminine bitch showed her qualities from the moment she entered the ring. Super size, so feminine and in balance all over. Looking at you with a typical distant, warm but also arrogant look, demanding attention. Very feminine yet strong head, suitable for her size. Head carried proudly on a well arched neck, with the outline in great balance with a high carried, well-placed tail. Keeps a great posture and pride on the move, with very breed typical movements. Her overall qualities, packed in a very nice size, made her demand the top spot not only in the class, but also in the challenge and at the end in the breed. BCC & BOB. |
| 3rd | Shirkeira Tabitha | Nice model of good size. Well-shaped head with nice expression. Well angulated but a bit wide in front. Good body of nice substance. Could have carried the tail more proudly and would have liked to see a bit more angulation in rear construction. |