Judging summary for Mr Mike Gilchrist
UK appointments since January 2000
Driffield 2025
24th August 2025
| Best of Breed | Chanikos My Mystery Dream Via Javerda JW |
| Dog CC | Chanikos My Mystery Dream Via Javerda JW |
| Dog RCC | Ch. Tameron Mr Penhaligons |
| Bitch CC | Ch. Tameron Miss Ruby Orchid |
| Bitch RCC | Ch. Peekin Hoi-Tee-Toi-Tee-Tu |
| Best Puppy | Norboo Bobby Dazzler Of Mapimakastar JW |
| 1st Best Veteran | Amore Mio Satinel Reheto at Mapimakastar (ImpPol)V |
Leeds 2021
24th July 2021 am
| Best of Breed | Ch. Tameron Miss Black Opium |
| Dog CC | Rossvale Here Comes The Sun over Fairmere |
| Dog RCC | Ch. Cremefern Sweet Talkin Guy JW ShCM VW |
| Bitch CC | Ch. Tameron Miss Black Opium |
| Bitch RCC | Ch. Peekin Hoi-Tee-Toi-Tee-Tu |
| Best Puppy | Ch. Zeeva Mirror Image JW |
| 1st Best Veteran | Ch. Cremefern Sweet Talkin Guy JW ShCM VW |
Show critique
My thanks go to the Officers and Committee for putting on a lovely show, which must have been a very challenging task in these uncertain times, and to my steward, Bob, for his sterling work. I have purposely delayed submitting this critique as there were issues in the breed which I found to be very disconcerting and in the long run are detrimental to the health of the breed, and wander far from the breed standard as to change the breed significantly. I thought it best to give some time to mull the issues over in the hope they may be less critical in tone, but for me they have not changed in the time which elapsed. It is never pleasant for a judge to have to make some observations which some in the breed will feel to be harsh, but not to do so, in my humble opinion at least, is failing to be totally honest. If today’s entry was truly representative of the state of the breed as it stands, then I seriously wonder what its future is going to be. Starting with heads, the standard clearly states: “Head broad, round, wide between eyes�? yet I found several heads which wandered far away from that description. Some were little small, more apple shaped, certainly not broad, and therefore with no width between the eyes. The requirements for eyes to be ’large, dark and round’ was lost, and I was met with small, slightly almond shaped eyes, which gives a very untypical expression. In addition, toplines were very variable some with a slight slope rising, others with a very significant rise from the withers to shoulders. With regards to muzzles, some are far too short and can only but lead to health problems in the future. Unfortunately, as there was no undercover area, the younger males got the worst of the wet grass and drizzle, and I think anyone who knows the first thing about the breed will accept the combination of wet tummies and Shih Tzus, knows it’s not the ideal pairing. It was typical of English weather the by the time I was ready to award the DCC instead of giving permission for exhibitors to that shelter their charges from the drizzle, I was giving them the same, but this time to shelter from the heat of the sun. Overall temperaments were excellent even in the ’lockdown’ youngsters who must have found the experience challenging to that which they have known in their short lifetime. Generally, presentation and coat care was of a very high standard.
Scottish KC (General) 2016
28th August
| Best of Breed | Ch. Camelle Chocolate Mousse at Rossvale JW (imp Fin) |
| Res in Group | Ch. Camelle Chocolate Mousse at Rossvale JW (imp Fin) |
| Dog CC | Ch. Tameron Mr Red Edition JW |
| Dog RCC | Ch. Zamadar Majic Potion for Cedarhythe |
| Bitch CC | Ch. Camelle Chocolate Mousse at Rossvale JW (imp Fin) |
| Bitch RCC | Ch. Rossvale Secret Obsession |
| Best Puppy | Rossvale Moonlight N Magic |
Show critique
I have delayed submitting this critique for a little while as I wanted to give considered thought to how I wanted to say what I found, and what made me so uncomfortable about it. I am afraid there was no easy way of wrapping it up or being subtle about it, so therefore I will speak as I find. I thought the overall quality of the breed, if in anyway the selection presented to me was typical, has gone backwards in depth since I last judged the breed. I remember as a youngster being dragged off by my mother for what I can only describe as an ’audience’ with Mrs Widdrington. Surprisingly, I as a rather bored and disinterested 12 to 13 yr. old must have taken on board her words, because she said much to impress upon us how important to breed type the head shape and size was. It was this issue that concerned me in almost every class today. There were times when I thought to myself if I were to close my eye, would I know if it was a Shih Tzu or Lhasa Apso head I was examining. As I award CCs in both, I found this hugely worrying, especially for up and coming or trainee (for the want of a better word) Judges of the future. Additionally the head shape can seriously affect the ear set and the true Shih Tzu expression I love so much. I will not labour this point further but I think it is something that exhibitors/breeders who are after all the custodians of the breed should give serious thought to. Generally size and toplines were good with the exception of a few, and one other observation is that there were some which were a little narrow across the pelvis, and those that were, invariably rose to the rear giving an untypical bum high slope. Temperament as usual was excellent.
City of Birmingham 2009
6th September 2009
| Best of Breed | Ch. Tameron Mr Black XS |
| Dog CC | Ch. Tameron Mr Black XS |
| Dog RCC | Ch. Yakee Diamond Geezer at Santosha (UK, Rus) |
| Bitch CC | Ch. Debshores Giggle And A Wiggle Sh.CM |
| Bitch RCC | Ch. Pekoe Fatal Attraction JW |
| Best Puppy | Zeeva Letz Dance (JW) |