Full Critique for Shih Tzu Club 2022
Judge : Mr Michael Hitt
This critique reflects the judge's opinion
based on what they saw on the day of the show.
| I would like to thank the committee of the Shih Tzu Club for giving me the honour of awarding my first set of challenge certificates for the founding breed club at their Championship Show. I have taken some time to get to this point in my judging career. I started exhibiting in this breed, along with my wife Tracey, in 2002 and judged my first Shih Tzu in 2006. Sixteen years later, after passing all the necessary assessments and judging the required number of dogs, I was delighted to be able to award my first set of Challenge Certificates. As the saying goes, “there is no substitute for experience” and I sincerely believe that in taking this approach, all the experience I have gained over the previous 20 years, in terms of exhibiting, breeding and judging this wonderful breed, has stood me in good stead to get to this day to complete my first Championship Show appointment. I would also like to thank my steward Hilary Norbury for her assistance on the day and finally, the exhibitors for the wonderful entry and for the sporting manner in which they accepted my decisions. I do not intend on giving a long preamble on the dogs I judged, but I wouId say that I found a considerable variance in size amongst the exhibits, some with not so level toplines and some with small or almond shaped eyes, which spoils the typical shih tzu expression we are looking for. Overall however, I was pleased with my line ups and delighted with my main winners. |
| Minor Puppy Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Zeeva Cool Dude | Stylish 8 month old rich gold & white dog with a lovely head and expression, broad skull, dark eye, wide square muzzle, good dentition and correct tip tilted nose. Nicely arched neck, ample bone and broad chest. Level topline with well set tail, which he carried well, nicely angulated rear, all of which gives him a balanced outline both standing and on the move. Moved well with reach and drive showing full pad. I am sure he has a bright future ahead of him. BPIS. 2. |
| 2nd | Rossvale Fantastic Dream At Charonnis JW | Another lovely puppy, 7 months old solid gold with broad masculine head, dark eye, correctly placed nose, good width to jaw and nice dentition, well proportioned with good body and bone, well set and carried tail, balanced outline, moved well showing full pad, not quite as finished as 1, but that will come with maturity. Shown and presented well. |
| 3rd | Ethelsmead True Grit | 6 month old heavily coated gold & white dog with a broad head and masculine expression. Dark well set eyes, good mouth with wide jaw, good body and bone, level topline, nice tail set, moved well with reach and drive showing full pad. |
| Res | Daltricia Jack Higgins JW | Gold & white dog who has just turned 6 months and is still very much a baby who gave his handler a hard time on the day. Masculine head with dark eyes a square wide jaw and good dentition. Level topline, with nice balance and outline. Showed full pad when moving. |
| Puppy Dog | ||
| 1st | Ethelsmead True Grit | 6 month old heavily coated gold & white dog with a broad head and masculine expression. Dark well set eyes, good mouth with wide jaw, good body and bone, level topline, nice tail set, moved well with reach and drive showing full pad. |
| 2nd | Paliden Magic Star | 8 month old gold & white dog with broad head well placed nose, square wide muzzle giving a masculine expression. Good body and bone, level topline, correct tail set and carriage. Moved out showing full pad. On the day preferred the movement of 1 |
| Junior Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Santosha Memory of Love | Striking and beautifully presented 16 month old solid gold dog who caught my attention as soon as he came into the ring. He has a wonderful masculine head and arrogant expression with a broad round skull, well set ears, dark melting eyes which are set well apart, correctly placed tip tilted nose and a wide square muzzle with good dentition. His neck is correctly arched and well proportioned. His shoulders are well laid back, giving good width to his front with a broad deep chest and a well sprung rib. He has a level topline, correctly set tail which is carried well on the move and, a nicely angulated rear. He is well muscled with good bone and substance, holding a balanced outline when standing or on the move. He sailed round the ring with reach and drive showing full pad. Delighted to award him the DCC & BIS. |
| 2nd | Ch. Thaisu’s Blinding Light | Another lovely dog, who was unfortunate to meet 1 on the day and they may well change places in future. 15 months old solid gold with black mask. Broad masculine head with dark eye, wide jaw, correctly placed nose with open nostrils, all giving a lovely masculine expression. Nice reach of neck leading to well laid back shoulders with a broad chest and good rib, level topline with correct tailset and carriage. He has good bone and is in muscular condition. Correct rear angulation, moved out well with reach and drive showing full pad. Pleased to award him the RDCC. |
| Beginners Dog | ||
| 1st | Mapimakastar Jason Mio | Brindle and white dog with good head, dark eye and wide square muzzle giving a masculine expression. Good depth of chest and rib, Good rear angulation, level topline and well carried tail. Moved out well fore and aft showing full pad. |
| Maiden Dog | ||
| 1st | Peekin Reggie Rebel-Tu | 13 month old gold & white dog. Good masculine head, dark round eyes, tip tilted nose, square muzzle with good width and dentition. Good reach of neck, well laid back shoulders, sufficient width in front, well ribbed with a level topline, good angulated rear and nicely carried tail. Shows a balanced outline standing and on the move. Moved soundly showing full pad. |
| 2nd | Daltricia Jack Higgins JW | Gold & white dog who has just turned 6 months and is still very much a baby who gave his handler a hard time on the day. Masculine head with dark eyes a square wide jaw and good dentition. Level topline, with nice balance and outline. Showed full pad when moving. |
| Novice Dog | ||
| 1st | Ethelsmead True Grit | 6 month old heavily coated gold & white dog with a broad head and masculine expression. Dark well set eyes, good mouth with wide jaw, good body and bone, level topline, nice tail set, moved well with reach and drive showing full pad. |
| 2nd | Daltricia Jack Higgins JW | Gold & white dog who has just turned 6 months and is still very much a baby who gave his handler a hard time on the day. Masculine head with dark eyes a square wide jaw and good dentition. Level topline, with nice balance and outline. Showed full pad when moving. |
| Graduate Dog | ||
| 1st | Marhilway Driving Edge At Jacquinta JW | 20 month old gold & white dog. masculine head, dark eye, wide jaw with good dentition well placed nose giving a soft masculine expression. He has a good reach of neck and well placed shoulders, a broad chest, a well sprung rib, a level topline with a good tail set and carriage and is well muscled with good bone. Moved well showing full pad. |
| Post Graduate Dog | ||
| 1st | Mapimakastar Jason Mio | Brindle and white dog with good head, dark eye and wide square muzzle giving a masculine expression. Good depth of chest and rib, Good rear angulation, level topline and well carried tail. Moved out well fore and aft showing full pad. |
| 2nd | Stardante Han Sum Model with Simbalove | Gold & white dog with masculine soft expression, head well rounded with dark well set eyes, correct nose placement and width to muzzle. Well ribbed with a level topline and a nicely set tail. Moved around the ring showing full pad. Well presented in good coat. |
| Minor Limit Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Cremefern Trigger A Storm At Symaraju JW | Gold & white dog with a good broad head, dark eye, correct nose placement and wide square muzzle, giving a soft masculine expression. A well arched neck leads to a good front with broad deep chest and a well sprung rib. A level topline and well set tail gives a good balanced outline. Moved with reach and drive showing full pad. |
| 2nd | Corrlough By My Side At Maitreya | Gold brindle dog of smaller type than 1. Broad masculine well proportioned head with a dark eye and a wide jaw. Good bone and substance, good reach of neck and shoulder placement. Front has good depth and width, Level topline, good tailset and well angulated rear. Moved well showing full pad. Just preferred the expression and balance of 1. |
| Limit Dog | ||
| 1st | Marbo Whatever You Want | Well presented gold & white dog with masculine head and a lovely soft expression. Head is broad and round, with dark eyes a well placed tip tilted nose with wide muzzle and good dentition. He has a well arched neck with laid back shoulders and a good width and depth to the chest. Well ribbed with a level topline, good bone and substance and a well angulated rear. Excellent tailset and carriage gives a balanced outline. Moved well showing full pad. |
| 2nd | Ch. Warathwaite The Kingslayer (Bel,Lux, UK) | Another lovely dog. Deep gold & white dog with a soft but masculine expression who reminds me greatly of one of my old dogs from the past. Broad head, dark eyes, tip tilted nose, a wide square muzzle with excellent dentition. A nicely arched neck leads into well laid back shoulders, his chest has good width and depth, level topline and a correctly set and carried tail, rear angulation is good which gives him his balanced outline. Moved well with drive. Very well presented. Preferred the overall balance and substance of 1. |
| Open Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Mifcahs The King And I JW (Dk,Nor,Swe,No,Int) | Gold & white dog with a balanced outline and typical arrogant expression. He has a broad head, dark eyes placed well apart, tip tilted nose and square jaw. Nicely arched neck leading to well laid back shoulders, good depth and breadth to chest. Well ribbed with a level topline and a well set tail, which is carried high on the move. Good angulation both front and rear. Moves with reach and drive showing full pad . Well presented. |
| 2nd | Ch. Jacquinta Lets Go Andy JW | Gold and white dog with a broad head, dark eye, well placed tip tilted nose and wide muzzle, which gives a typical masculine expression. Good bone and substance, well arched neck. Broad chest and rib, with a level topline and well set and carried tail, which gives a balanced outline standing and on the move. Moved well showing full pad. |
| 3rd | Stardante Han Sum Model with Simbalove | Gold & white dog with masculine soft expression, head well rounded with dark well set eyes, correct nose placement and width to muzzle. Well ribbed with a level topline and a nicely set tail. Moved around the ring showing full pad. Well presented in good coat. |
| Veteran Dog | ||
| 1st | Paliden Shine Like A Star | Deep gold & white 7 year old dog of a smaller type with a broad head, dark round eyes that are well set apart, correct nose placement and a wide jaw giving a typical masculine expression. Good reach of neck, well laid back shoulders, broad chest, level topline, well set and carried tail, good rear angulation, giving a balanced outline, which he held on the move. |
| 2nd | Kezang Golden Idol | Gold & white 7 year old dog with a good broad masculine head, dark eyes and wide jaw. Well bodied with a level topline, good tailset and carriage, giving a balanced outline. moved well with reach and drive. Just preferred the overall balance and movement of 1. |
| Minor Puppy Bitch | ||
| 1st | Paliden Starlight Kisses | Solid gold bitch with black mask, still only a baby at just six months at her first show, but so full of promise. Very pretty feminine head and expression, Large round dark well set eyes, soundly constructed with good bone even at this young age, deep chest, good length of rib, level topline and well set tail which she carried well. Moved well with reach and drive showing full pad and thoroughly enjoying her day. BPB. |
| 2nd | Rossvale Dreaming Again | 8 months old Solid gold bitch with black mask. Like 1, another with a very feminine warm expression, she has dark eyes a well placed nose and correct muzzle. She is solid throughout with a good front and rear, a level topline and well set tail, giving a balanced outline. Moved well showing full pad. On the day I preferred the movement of 1. |
| Puppy Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Coursani Sand Queen (UK/JSY) | 11 month old gold & white bitch. Broad round head, with large dark round well set eyes, good width to muzzle, good dentition, with a tip tilted nose, giving a very feminine expression. Good reach of neck, laid back shoulders with good width to front, nicely ribbed with a good level topline and tailset. Well angulated at rear giving balanced outline. Moved well with reach and drive showing full pad. Beautifully presented. |
| 2nd | Sassyshi Jamaica Mistaica JW | 11 month old gold & white bitch, good head with feminine expression, dark eyes, good width to jaw and dentition, nice reach of neck sound front and rear, good tailset and carriage. Moved with drive showing full pad. Not the overall balance and movement of 1. |
| Junior Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Rossvale Little Black Dress | 16month old black & white bitch of smaller type but with everything in proportion. Nice head with a feminine but arrogant expression, dark round well set eyes, good width to muzzle, correct nose placement with wide open nostrils. Good front with laid back shoulders and good length of rib, a level topline and well angulated rear which gives her a very balanced outline both standing and on the move. Moves with reach and drive showing full pad. |
| 2nd | Chanikos Tangerine Dream of Shenleyvale JW | gold and white bitch, of larger type than 1, nice head with feminine expression, good rib, substance and bone, nicely angulated rear. Well carried giving a balanced outline and moved well. |
| Beginners Bitch | ||
| 1st | Mapimakastar Suzie Hugo | Gold & white bitch with feminine expression, good mouth wide jaw and correct nose placement. She has a balanced outline, topline is level with a good tail set. Moved well showing full pad. |
| 2nd | Lucky Arrow Viva | Gold & white bitch with pretty feminine expression, good nose placement and stop, square jaw with good width to muzzle. Has a good rib and level topline. Moved with drive showing full pad. Well presented. Preferred the overall balance of 1 MLB 6( |
| Maiden Bitch | ||
| 1st | Paliden Starlight Kisses | Solid gold bitch with black mask, still only a baby at just six months at her first show, but so full of promise. Very pretty feminine head and expression, Large round dark well set eyes, soundly constructed with good bone even at this young age, deep chest, good length of rib, level topline and well set tail which she carried well. Moved well with reach and drive showing full pad and thoroughly enjoying her day. BPB. |
| 2nd | Sassyshi Jamaica Mistaica JW | 11 month old gold & white bitch, good head with feminine expression, dark eyes, good width to jaw and dentition, nice reach of neck sound front and rear, good tailset and carriage. Moved with drive showing full pad. Not the overall balance and movement of 1. |
| Novice Bitch | ||
| 1st | Lucky Arrow Sanchi | Gold & white bitch with feminine head and expression, Dark round eyes, good stop square wide short muzzle, level topline, would prefer a higher tail carriage to give a more balanced outline. Moved well with drive showing full pad. Good coat, well presented |
| 2nd | Tzusweet Black Pearl | Solid black bitch with a feminine head and expression, dark round eyes, tip tilted nose and a square wide muzzle. Level topline with a nice balanced outline. Coat is still developing but hopefully it will come. Moved showing full pad. |
| Graduate Bitch | ||
| 1st | Cavateena Situla Scarlet for Lavril | Gold & white bitch with broad round head, large dark round eyes, correct nose placement and good square wide muzzle, all of which gives a feminine expression with a touch of arrogance. A well proportioned bitch with arched neck, good lay of shoulder and rib of correct. Level topline, with a balanced outline. Moved well showing full pad. Well presented. |
| 2nd | Thaisu Sister Bliss | Black & white bitch with a feminine expression. Broad head, large dark round eyes set well apart, nicely placed nose with wide open nostrils and a wide square muzzle. Level topline with a good shape and balance, which she held on the move showing full pad. In between coats at the moment which I am sure will improve with time. |
| Res | Tzusweet Black Pearl | Solid black bitch with a feminine head and expression, dark round eyes, tip tilted nose and a square wide muzzle. Level topline with a nice balanced outline. Coat is still developing but hopefully it will come. Moved showing full pad. |
| Post Graduate Bitch | ||
| 1st | Senousi Love The Dress | Gold and white bitch. Beautiful feminine broad round head, dark round eyes placed well apart, correct tip tilted nose with a good stop and wide muzzle. Well arched neck leading to well laid back shoulders. Good width in front and depth of chest, broad rib, good bone, level topline with good tailset and carriage. Has a balanced outline and moved well showing full pad. |
| 2nd | Ch. Santosha Silhouette | Gold and White bitch of smaller type than 1. Lovely feminine head and expression with broad round skull, dark round well placed eyes, correct tip tilted nose with nice stop, good mouth and wide muzzle. Good bone and soundly constructed with a level topline and and good tailset and carriage, giving a balance outline both standing and on the move. Moved smoothly around the ring with drive showing full pad. Just preferred the head and expression of 1 |
| VHC | Mapimakastar Suzie Hugo | Gold & white bitch with feminine expression, good mouth wide jaw and correct nose placement. She has a balanced outline, topline is level with a good tail set. Moved well showing full pad. |
| Minor Limit Bitch | ||
| 1st | Senousi Caress In A Dress | Gold and white bitch with lovely feminine head and expression. Large round head, Large dark round eyes. tip tilted nose with a good stop square jaw with good width to the muzzle. Excellent bone and substance, nicely arched neck good width to front, well ribbed, level topline and good tail set and carriage. Good rear angulation giving balanced outline. Moved soundly showing full pad. 2. |
| 2nd | Peekin Miss Jive-Bunny-Tu | Gold & white bitch of smaller type than 1. Feminine head and expression, broad head, dark round eyes, tip tilted nose, well arched neck, level topline. Has a balanced outline and moves well with reach and drive showing full pad |
| Limit Bitch | ||
| 1st | Thaisu Gothic Witch | Gold & white bitch with a lovely feminine expression, broad round head with large round dark eyes set well apart, well placed tip tilted nose with good stop and square jaw with wide muzzle. Nicely arched neck and shoulders are well laid back. A deep chest and good length of rib with a level topline. Well set tail and well angulated rear which give a balanced outline. Moved well with reach and drive showing full pad. Pleased to award her the RBCC. 2. |
| 2nd | Ch. Warathwaite Royal Diva | another lovely bitch, who is now a worthy champion. Gold & white, a slightly larger type than 1. Feminine head and expression with a dark eye good nose placement and dentition. Nicely arched neck with laid back shoulders giving a good front and deep chest. Level topline and well angulated rear. Well muscled with a good tail set and carriage, she has a balance outline both standing and on the move. She moved well showing full pad. On the day preferred the head and expression of 1. |
| Open Bitch | ||
| 1st | Dolha’s Step Out in Style | I have admired this bitch for some time and was not disappointed on the day. A solid gold bitch of 7 years of age. She oozes breed type and has that typical feminine Shih Tzu expression combined with the necessary degree of arrogance. Lovely broad round head, large round dark eyes giving a wonderful expression, a well placed tip tilted nose with the correct stop and wide open nostrils, a square wide jaw with a good chin and wide muzzle that again helps to give the expression I was looking for. Good bone and substance, nice arch to the neck leading to well laid back shoulders with good width in front and a deep broad chest. Well ribbed with a level topline and good tailset and carriage. She has a lovely balanced outline both standing and on the move. She has excellent reach and drive and moved smoothly around the ring showing full pad. Delighted to award her the BCC, RBIS & BOS |
| 2nd | Ch. Corrlough Ice Maiden | Ultra feminine deep gold and white bitch of smaller type than1. Nicely proportioned head with dark well placed eyes correct tip tilted nose and stop, good mouth and wide square muzzle giving a feminine yet arrogant expression. Well proportioned arched neck leading into well laid back shoulders, a level topline, good rear angulation and a well set and carried tail. All of which gives a lovely balanced outline. Moved well with drive showing full pad. A very worthy Champion. |
| Veteran Bitch | ||
| 1st | Thaisu Desperate Housewife for Kimevan | 8 year old gold & white bitch with a beautiful warm feminine expression whilst showing that typical Shih Tzu arrogance. Broad round head, large round dark eyes set well apart, correct tip tilted nose and wide muzzle. Nicely arched neck, well laid back shoulders with a broad deep chest. Level topline, well angulated rear and well set and carried tail, giving a balanced outline Moved with drive showing full pad. Pleased to award her BVIS 2. |
| 2nd | Zeeva Shadow Dancing with Meilijo | Gold & white bitch, with a very feminine head and expression, dark round eyes, tip tilted nose, wide muzzle and dentition. Good reach of neck, well laid back shoulders with good width to chest. Lovely tailset and carriage and a level topline. She has a balanced outline and when she move shows full pad although a little bit reluctant at times. Well presented. |