Full Critique for Blackpool 2019
Judge : Mrs Jane Paradise
This critique reflects the judge's opinion
based on what they saw on the day of the show.
| It was a very windy day but mainly dry. Always a challenge for exhibitors showing a coated breed in windy conditions but everyone coped well. General observations – size and balance are both quite variable. Mouths are an issue. I am not a mouth fanatic, per se, and I know that some breeders/breed specialists are not overly worried about finding a mouth that fits the standard. Whilst I can be forgiving of some mouth issues, and always take the whole of the dog into consideration, I do feel that if you do not take action soon at improving this aspect then you will lose the Shih Tzu head shape. A mouth of jumbled teeth is not just a mouth of jumbled teeth – the bigger issue is that the teeth are jumbled because the jaw is not wide enough to contain the incisors in as straight a line as possible with a squared jaw. If the mouth is not wide enough then you have a muzzle that is too narrow and loose the shape of the head overall. Toplines were also disappointing with many rising at the rear. Presentation was impeccable, as one comes to expect from this breed. |
| Minor Puppy Dog | ||
| 1st | Paliden Shooting Star | Standing alone today, this particolour has a broad head with short wide muzzle and dark eyes. He has excellent layback of shoulder, good angulation at the rear, and his tail is set high and held up and over to give the correct balance. He has a slight rise in topline at the rear but otherwise has good lines. Being quite excitable he enjoyed his experience which is what we all want to see in puppies. |
| Junior Dog | ||
| 1st | Dylan Blekitny Kanion (IMP POL) | Stunning black and white boy with such clean demarkation of colouring. Just be careful when standing him that you do not accentuate the neck too much as it can lead to an unbalanced outline. He has a very handsome head, with the chrysanthemum effect from the hair, dark round eyes, excellent pigment on nose and eye rims and good mouth with width all through the muzzle. Well boned, elbows held tight to well sprung ribs and I liked his depth of chest. He moves so well with ex reach and proper drive from strong hocks. To ice the cake he has a glorious texture coat. |
| 2nd | Daltricia Nanga Parbat JW | Gold/white parti puppy with lovely head and expression, strong neck, well off for bone and has a pleasing front assembly with good turn of stifle at the rear. His volumous puppy coat hides his shape and he probably needs to loose a little puppy fat now on his body. He made light work of trotting around the ring. BPD. |
| 3rd | Bishopspark Red Jasper | Third in the previous class, the handler has little control of this boy at present which is a shame. He does not yet understand what is required of him, so he cannot give a good performance in the ring. Hopefully his handler can find a ringcraft class and they can learn together. Large dark eyes and good width to skull. Coat needs more work on presentation but those skills can also be learnt. Difficult to assess movement today. |
| Yearling Dog | ||
| 1st | Milliemouse Hurricane | Black/white of slim build. Level topline. Good length of neck, good depth of chest and spring of rib. Eyes were a little on the small side. Moved ok. |
| 2nd | Bishopspark Red Jasper | Third in the previous class, the handler has little control of this boy at present which is a shame. He does not yet understand what is required of him, so he cannot give a good performance in the ring. Hopefully his handler can find a ringcraft class and they can learn together. Large dark eyes and good width to skull. Coat needs more work on presentation but those skills can also be learnt. Difficult to assess movement today. |
| Post Graduate Dog | ||
| 1st | Shihmali Victorious | Each aspect of this dog pleases greatly when you get your hands on him, coming together to produce a top notch exhibit heading this class and was certainly victorious today. Sturdily built, so well balanced with head and tea pot tail, giving the correct outline. Moves out with drive showing full pad. |
| 2nd | Rossvale Fun In The Sun at Kimevan | Solid gold with masculine head of good width in skull and muzzle. Has the widest of open nostrils and upward tilting nose. His top coat is of excellent texture on top of the undercoat. Holds his high set tail well at all times and he excelled in his performance with his sound movement in all directions. |
| Limit Dog | ||
| 1st | Daltricia Kwakwali JW ShCM | Whilst the previous class was numerically challenging, this class gave the most headaches and one of the more difficult decisions of the day, weighing up different individual qualities and compromises. I first saw this one as a puppy NFC at a show and fell in love with his character. I have watched him ringside on many occasions since then and have judged him previously. He has all the breed requirements, is sturdy all through, so well balanced, impressive ribcage both in spring of rib and ribbing going well back with short loin. Oozes breed type. RDCC. |
| 2nd | Shihmali Victorious | Each aspect of this dog pleases greatly when you get your hands on him, coming together to produce a top notch exhibit heading this class and was certainly victorious today. Sturdily built, so well balanced with head and tea pot tail, giving the correct outline. Moves out with drive showing full pad. |
| Open Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Cremefern Sweet Talkin Guy JW ShCM VW | 6 year old lad with textbook head and expression. Some are pushing the size limit but this one is perfect for size whilst still totally masculine and nothing is exaggerated. Excellent mouth, lovely dark pigment, beautiful coat and immaculate presentation and handling to get the best from him. A great showman. On seeing the catalogue later on I was not surprised that I loved him so much as he is sired by one of my all-time favourite Shih Tzus who has obviously passed on many of his qualities to his son. So sound all through. DCC & BOS. In the challenge for BOB I felt that my two Best of Sexes complimented one another. |
| 2nd | Ch. Carlita Reason To Dream JW ShCM | Gold/white parti. Round head with square muzzle and dark eyes, good ear set, large nostrils. Strong neck flows into a level topline which is held at all times both standing and moving. Tail is desired teapot which balances with head. Sporting a quality coat. He moves with purpose and is also sound. |
| Minor Puppy Bitch | ||
| 1st | Wharfeview She’s Eye Candy | Just 6 months old, full of fun, with a lovely sweet expression. Has an ex bite and dark round eyes. Level topline and good overall balance with adequate bone. Tail never stopped wagging. |
| Puppy Bitch | ||
| 1st | Debeaux Sweet Chilli JW | Really loved her shape and balance. Excellent bite. Feminine head. She has the most pleasing spring of rib and the ribs extend well back, giving ex heart and lung room. She moves out well with good reach and drive showing full pad. BPB, BPIB. |
| Junior Bitch | ||
| 1st | Carlita Dedicate to Believe | Adequate bone for her very feminine size, excellent mouth and width to jaw, everything in proportion and perfectly balanced. Pretty but functionally sturdy and game for anything. Never stopped showing herself off. Comes into her own on the move where she owned the ring, covering the ground with enthusiastic animation and style, displaying excellent reach and strong hocks propelling to show full pad. Expertly handled. In the challenge I kept being drawn back to her despite her tender age. BCC. BOB. BJIB. |
| 2nd | Matsha That’s Amore At Snugglebrook | Attractive red brindle/white. Another with lots to like, with ex bite, ex teapot tail and many qualities but not such a good topline as first. |
| Yearling Bitch | ||
| 2nd | Lyndatzu Que Sah Rah JW | Cream/white. She has a really good mouth, large dark eyes, excellent ribs, sturdy body, strong neck and pushed first hard. Splitting hairs between them and could easily change places another day. Both should have bright show careers. |
| Post Graduate Bitch | ||
| 1st | Lyndatzu Petit Fleur | Black. Unfortunately a scissor bite affects her overall expression as the underjaw is weaker, though delightfully the teeth are set in straight lines and she has an upturned nose. Excellent ribs with good width to body and depth of chest, and a level topline and her head and tail balance nicely in height. |
| Limit Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Zeeva Reflections JW | Sturdily built, such an attractive red/white girl displaying typical breed type and super balance and clearly destined for top honours. Super head and expression with correct bite. Firm arched neck. Low slung brisket, excellent spring of rib. She moves with confidence and precision of foot placement in an easy gliding stride. Pleased to award her RBCC. |
| 2nd | Warathwaite Pure As Snow | Gold/white, sturdy, but longer cast which upset the balance overall. Good width of skull, wide muzzle, with ex eye and ear placement. Excellent tail carriage and moved ok. |
| Open Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Tameron Miss Black Opium | Top quality black and white girl that instantly draws your attention and holds it. Stunning outline. Excellent head proportions with chrysanthemum effect, large dark well placed eyes and her long ears frame her head, well laid back shoulders and well angulated at the rear. Beautifully presented and handled. Spirit level topline. A dream to watch her move which she does with great style and deportment. |
| 2nd | Ch. Miracey Fruity Kisses | . Gold/white. Eight and a half years old and in her prime. Slightly longer cast than first, she is sporting a fabulous coat which is presented to perfection. Large round sparkling eyes with dark rims. Well balanced angulation fore and aft. Not quite as good a topline as first today. A worthy champion still on top form. |