Full Critique for Border Union 2023
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 Commitee and Officers of Border Union Agricultural Society for inviting me to judge Shih Tzu at this years show. I was honoured that so many of my entry had travelled long distances to support me. I should like to thank all the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege of judging their dogs. My entry was not huge in number, but this was far exceeded by the quality of exhibits throughout the entry. I would also like to thank my stewards who did a great job of keeping the judging going and for keeping the paperwork in order. This is my opinion of my findings on the day. I found that the quality of both dogs and bitches to be about the same, though the bitch entry was slightly larger. Last time I judged I did find some exhibits with small, not round eyes. Today I didn’t find any. I am pleased to say that I did find what I was looking for in all classes. Some classes were challenging in that all the exhibits had the qualities I was looking for. I was very pleased with both of my Challenge Certificate winners, likewise both of my Reserve Challenge Certificate winners. Also, my Best Puppy in Breed and Best Veteran in Breed. |
| Minor Puppy Dog | ||
| 1st | Thaisu Morningstar Avec Kimevan | 8months solid gold with black mask. Of excellent breed type and quality. Large, broad head with beautiful large dark eyes, Dentition was excellent with a chin, enhancing his expression. Well sprung ribs, good bone, level topline and excellent tail set. In very good coat and so well presented. He was not too happy in the class. I think it was a combination of the wind and standing alone as when he returned for the challenge, he was much happier and showed himself with style. He kept his shape on the move and carried his tail correctly. He moved very well in both directions. I was pleased to award him BPD and BPIB. |
| Junior Dog | ||
| 1st | Rossvale Wildest Dream JW | Two quality exhibits, very little between the two and will probably changes places many times,15 month solid gold with black mask. He is an ideal size with very good head to tail balance. Large, broad well shaped head with large dark eyes producing a melting expression. Sting arched neck good lay of shoulder. Well angulated front assembly with tucked in elbows. Good width between the forelegs which leads into a broad, deep well sprung rib cage. Well muscled quarters with great angulation. Level topline and excellent tail. He moves very well striding out in front and driving well from behind. A very promising youngster whose temperament is delightful. |
| 2nd | Thaisu Guilty Pleasure | 16 month gold and white boy who has many of the qualities of the winner. He has a broad head with dark eyes giving a pleasing expression. Good neck and shoulders, ample width between the front legs, ample bone. Well sprung broad rib cage, level topline, well angulated rear which he uses to good effect when moving driving him forward. |
| Yearling Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Santosha Memory of Love | Wow! What a fabulous Shih Tzu. Not yet two but has it all. Solid gold. So well balanced between head and tail. Beautiful large well domed head with large dark well spaced eyes, good stop, broad jaw with excellent dentition, well padded muzzle, strong arched neck, well laid shoulders. Such a broad deep, well sprung rib cage, extending well back. Well muscled quarters and really well angulated rear, well set tail which he carries well. Beautiful coat, shown in excellent condition and presentation. In an old standard the movement of a Shih Tzu was described as a “galleon in full sail” that matches the movement of this boy to a tee. He is so well balanced and moves so smoothly reaching well in front and driving well from behind well handled. I was pleased to award him the CC and BOB. He surely must have a bright future. I watched him in the Group, although not shortlisted he gave a very good account of himself and a very good ambassador for the breed. |
| 2nd | Senousi Dressed Like Him | 14 month gold and white boy, similar in size to 1, with many good breed qualities. Pleasing head, eye and expression. Good reach of neck and well laid shoulders, level topline and well balanced. He wasn’t very happy today and dropped his tail. When he put his tail up he was very balanced on the move, driving well from behind. |
| Post Graduate Dog | ||
| 1st | Quingshui Auroras Busy Man | Just 18 months white and gold boy. I wouldn’t want him any larger. Large well shaped head, good width between his large dark eyes, very broad jaw slightly undershot giving him a good chin, stop. Pleasing expression. Well balanced which he maintains on the move. Good lay of shoulder, deep, broad, well sprung rib cage and level topline. Happy boy who moves well fore and aft, good driving action. In lovely coat and condition. Presented and handled well. |
| 2nd | Tameron Mr Gold Xcess | 4 yrs gold and white, carried himself well, maintains his shape. Level topline, good neck and shoulders. Would like a bit more width throughout. Pleasing head and expression, happy boy moved very well at the front. |
| Limit Dog | ||
| 1st | Santosha Dark Secret With Coursani | Six quality exhibits. Very good class, I can see these changing places many times. Today was just my preference. 2 and a half yr Solid black. Anyone who knows me will know that for me to appreciate a solid black the head and expression have to say it all. This boy has a lovely expression and head. Beautifully balanced throughout. Good bone, and width throughout. Strong neck and well laid shoulders, level topline and well set tail. Well angulated front and rear. Moved very smoothly around the ring keeping his shape and balance. I was very pleased to award him the RCC. |
| 2nd | Paliden Simply A Star With Wharfeview | This solid gold boy is one I have admired from the ringside and while competing against it. He did not disappoint. He is an ideal size and very well constructed with good bone. He has a super head with lovely dark eyes. Broad mouth, slightly undershot giving him a chin and enhancing his expression. He is so well constructed that he moves very well at the front and rear. I really like him and the winner and they could change places, which I am sure will happen in the future. Beautifully presented and very well handled. |
| 3rd | Marhilway Driving Edge At Jacquinta JW | Rich gold and white. This young dog has taken a little time to settle into his showing but is now showing like a professional. He has many admirable breed attributes. He is very well constructed and balanced with a very attractive head. He moves with drive and enthusiasm and should have a bright future. |
| Open Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Senousi Dressed For It By Fairmere | Two worthy Champions, 3 and half yr mainly solid gold boy with black mask, who I have admired from the ringside. He is a beautiful Shih Tzu with a very good head with lovely dark expressive eyes. Very well constructed throughout with such balance that he maintains on the move and standing. Moved very well both coming and going. |
| 2nd | Ch. Jacquinta Lets Go Andy JW | I last judged this boy when he was just out of puppy. I awarded him the RCC that day. He had fulfilled his early promise. Gold and white, well constructed boy, lovely size and balance, well shaped head with good eye and expression. Excellent dentition with broad jaw. Lovely happy temperment. He moves very well in both directions with enthusiasm. |
| Veteran Dog | ||
| 1st | Hin Chen’s Askar At Centastage (ImpNor) | 7 yr old black and white boy whom I judged when he was a young boy who had fallen out with showing for a while. I was delighted to see him today. He is such a lovely typey Shih Tzu with the softest of expressions with large dark eyes. He is not a large dog but well within the breed standard. His head is just beautiful, level topline. Excellent tail. He maintains his shape on the move and standing. His movement is just sublime, both coming and going. He floats across the ground. I was very pleased to award him BVIB. He pushed the RCC winner hard in the challenge too. Lovely boy a credit to his owner and breeder. |
| Minor Puppy Bitch | ||
| 1st | Thaisu Fallen Angel Among Kimevan | Litter sister to the minor puppy dog. Gold and white with many of the same attributes as her brother. Beautiful head and expression, very good rib cage, level topline and good bone. She is well made and such a happy little girl, she moves round the ring with great confidence and enthusiasm, moves really well in both directions. Should have a bright future. |
| Junior Bitch | ||
| 1st | Rossvale Dreaming Again | Two beautiful young bitches who could easily change places. Solid gold with black mask, litter sister to my junior dog winner. She is very well constructed. With a lovely head and very feminine expression, she looks so oriental with her short stop and chin adding to her lovely expression. Broad deep ribcage and good width throughout. Good tail which she carries well. Moved very well coming and going. She has a brilliant temperament. |
| 2nd | Paliden Starlight Kisses | Solid gold, slightly finer made than 1 but no determent. She is a beautiful bitch. Excellent head and expression, lovely eyes, good neck, well laid shoulders, level topline, well sprung ribcage. Very good tail, lovely temperament, very good mover both front and rear. It was a close discision between both these lovely, typey young ladies, who should have a bright future. |
| Novice Bitch | ||
| 1st | Paliden Starlight Kisses | Solid gold, slightly finer made than 1 but no determent. She is a beautiful bitch. Excellent head and expression, lovely eyes, good neck, well laid shoulders, level topline, well sprung ribcage. Very good tail, lovely temperament, very good mover both front and rear. It was a close discision between both these lovely, typey young ladies, who should have a bright future. |
| 2nd | Matsuba Crowning Glory At Shidizzle | Gold and white, starting to look the part now, good outline shape and balance, heavier type of bitch than 1 but this does not deter from her qualities. Well shaped head, pretty expression. Moved and carried herself well. Well presented and handled. |
| 3rd | Shihmali Bizzi Lizzi | Very pretty gold and white of the finer type. Good and and expression. Moved and handled very well. |
| Yearling Bitch | ||
| 1st | Coursani Sand Queen | Three quality young bitches. Pale gold and white very feminine bitch of very good quality. Well balanced, good shape which she keeps standing and, on the move, very good tail, pleasing head and expression. Moved very well with drive. In excellent coat and condition. Well handled. |
| 2nd | Quingshui Aurora One Moment with Matsha | A very stylish grey and white girl who gives a lovely well balanced outline. Broad deep ribcage, well set tail which is carried correctly. Very pleasing head and expression. Very happy girl, she moves very well in both directions with lots of drive. In beautiful coat and condition, well handled. |
| 3rd | Yazhi Sweet Painted Lady JW | Gold and white little girl with lots of breed type, very pretty head and expression. Moved and showed well. |
| Graduate Bitch | ||
| 1st | Honeyshuchun Star Goddess | 4 yrs, on her way back from maternal duties. Very feminine gold and white girl. She is well put together, good head and eyes. Level topline. Good tail set, well angulated front and rear. Moves very well. All she needs now to complete the picture is her new party dress. Promising. |
| Limit Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Rossvale Little Black Dress | What a class of quality bitches. Spoiled for choice. Young black and white bitch who I have admired since she came out. The saying goes that good things come in small packages, this is certainly true for this little girl. She has such an exquisite head and expression, lovely strong neck, well laid shoulders and level topline. Very well sprung ribcage, reaching well back. Very well angulated front and rear, excellent tail set. She is so well balanced and keeps her shape on the move and standing She moves with great enthusiasm and drives well behind. Expertly handled throughout. I was very pleased to award her the CC her 3rd and crowing. She narrowly missed out to the dog for BOB as he is slightly more mature looking. |
| 2nd | Santosha Ice Queen of Coursani | A deep gold and white bitch of correct size and shape, large head and eyes, giving a very pretty expression excellent outline and balance. A very good mover. I was very pleased to award her the RCC. |
| 3rd | Paliden Golden Showers | A very pretty gold and white girl, well balanced. Good head and eye, moved and showed very well. |
| VHC | Matsuba Crowning Glory At Shidizzle | Gold and white, starting to look the part now, good outline shape and balance, heavier type of bitch than 1 but this does not deter from her qualities. Well shaped head, pretty expression. Moved and carried herself well. Well presented and handled. |
| Open Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Centastage Just Imagine | A very strong class of girls. 5 yr mature bitch of excellent quality. Dark gold and white in beautiful coat and condition. Larger than some of the bitches I have judged today but still within the standard. Excellent outline and balance. Large well shaped head with lovely dark eyes, with a pretty expression. Good strong, well muscled neck, well laid shoulders. Excellent ribcage both in length, depth and width. Excellent tail carriage. Moved very well. Well handled. |
| 2nd | Quingshui Aurora Rising | Gold and white well balanced bitch with good head, dark eyes very pretty expression, level topline, good spring of rib, well angulated front and rear. Moved very well. Shown in lovely coat and condition, very well presented and handled. |
| 3rd | Ch. Paliden Bucks Fizz To Ekland JW | Another lovely bitch and worthy Champion. Gold, well balanced, good ribcage and tail set. In excellent coat and condition. Moved well. Well presented and handled. |
| VHC | Matsuba Crowning Glory At Shidizzle | Gold and white, starting to look the part now, good outline shape and balance, heavier type of bitch than 1 but this does not deter from her qualities. Well shaped head, pretty expression. Moved and carried herself well. Well presented and handled. |
| Veteran Bitch | ||
| 1st | Thaisu Desperate Housewife for Kimevan | 8 and half yr gold and white girl who has a very pretty head and expression, well balanced, good tail set. Moves out well keeping her shape and balance. In excellent coat and condition. A credit to her breeder and owner. |
| 2nd | Tansingh Color Me Beautiful For Mirazian JW | This gold and white lady defies her 13 years, still in lovely condition, still showing with enthusiasm. A great ambassador for the breed. Well balanced, good head and eye, good ribcage. Moved well in both directions. A lovely bitch. A credit to her breeder and owner. |