Full critique for South Wales 2008

This critique reflects the judge’s opinion based on what they saw on the day of the show.

Show critique

It is nearly three years since I last judged Shih Tzus and I was surprised to find that the comments I wrote then match my general observations this time. While head and mouths are good, this appears to be at the expense of basic sound conformation. The standard calls for shoulders to be 'well laid back' and for the chest to be deep and broad this was sadly lacking in many exhibits. Thighs should be well rounded and muscular. Please do not sacrifice muscle for the sake of coat. Having said this there were many beautiful typical Shih Tzus here.

Dog CC

1st	Ch. Yakee Diamond Geezer at Santosha (UK, Rus)	He took my eye when he entered the ring and I was not disappointed when going over him, excellent size and balance, beautiful head, large dark eyes, tip tilted nose, good mouth, correct arch of neck, deep chest, good front, level topline, high tailset, nicely rounded thigh, moved with desired reach and drive, in good coat CC & BOB
2nd	Ch. Morhenjo Smooching Cedarhythe	Eyecatching b/w, good head, dark eye, good width to muzzle, deep chest, straight front, level back, high tailset, well rounded thigh, moves well, presented to perfection RCC

Minor Puppy Dog

1st	Tameron Mr Hugo XY	8 months, super head, broad with well placed eyes and a good width of muzzle, level topline, good tailset well angulated rear, moves well.
2nd	Navross Buddhist Day	8 months good head dark eye showing no white good mouth level back, high tailset, presents a balanced picture.

Puppy Dog

1st	Shantrionna Midnight Flyer JW	9 months very typy, scored here on his size and balance, lovely head with dark round eyes, good width of muzzle and nose length, best front assembly in the class, good neck topline and well angulated rear.
2nd	Ch. Keytor Fool No More	11 months, beautiful broad head, excellent pigment dark round eyes, good length of neck, level back, well angulated rear moves well in fabulous condition.

Junior Dog

1st	Dolhas Beyond Doubt	Scores on type and balance, good head, large eyes, correct mouth, well pigmented, broad chest, level back, high tailset, good bend of stifle in good coat, moves well but just needs a little more confidence.
2nd	Sonoma With Xs	Broad head, good width between the eyes, nice open nostrils, good width to muzzle, neck of good length with correct arch, level back, well angulated rear.
Res	Shantrionna Midnight Flyer JW	9 months very typy, scored here on his size and balance, lovely head with dark round eyes, good width of muzzle and nose length, best front assembly in the class, good neck topline and well angulated rear.

Graduate Dog

1st	Rossvale As If By Magic	Won this class on his size, type and overall balance, good head and eye, correct tilt of the nose giving a lovely expression, good neck and topline, moves well, coat coming.
2nd	Harropine Charly Sheen to Cremefern	Different type but still has a good broad, round head, good eye and mouth, level topline high tailset, higher on leg than 1.

Post Graduate Dog

1st	Harropine Mango Jack of Shorestar	Liked his type and balance, broad round head correct length of nose, good mouth and length of neck pleasing front assembly, deep chest level back high tailset moves well.
2nd	Paliden Shining Star	Lots to like, good head dark eye, open nostrils, wide muzzle, nicely arched neck, good topline well angulated hindquarters. Leggier than 1.

Limit Dog

1st	Ch. Morhenjo Smooching Cedarhythe	Eyecatching b/w, good head, dark eye, good width to muzzle, deep chest, straight front, level back, high tailset, well rounded thigh, moves well, presented to perfection RCC
2nd	Ch. Bellakerne Danny-Do	Very typy b/w as one would expect from this kennel, broad round head, good eye and mouth, first well laid shoulder I have felt today, deep broad chest, level topline, correct tailset, sound mover.

Open Dog

1st	Ch. Yakee Diamond Geezer at Santosha (UK, Rus)	He took my eye when he entered the ring and I was not disappointed when going over him, excellent size and balance, beautiful head, large dark eyes, tip tilted nose, good mouth, correct arch of neck, deep chest, good front, level topline, high tailset, nicely rounded thigh, moved with desired reach and drive, in good coat CC & BOB
2nd	Ch. Easy Rider At Huxlor	Beautiful r/w who has many of the attributes of 1, good head, dark round eyes, wide open nostrils, good mouth and neck, broad chest, level back, well angulated rear, moves well.

Bitch CC

1st	Keytor Love In A Mist	g/w who is beautifully feminine without losing the desired sturdiness, broad, round head large dark eyes, which have the desired width between, good mouth, nice arch to neck, good front, deep chest, level back well rounded thighs, moved with reach, drive and typical arrogance, beautifully presented CC
2nd	Keytor Midnight Whisper	Stunning 11 months b/w excellent size and type, beautifully balanced broad round head dark eye, showing no white, good mouth, deep chest, straight front, good length of neck level back high set tail well rounded thight flows around the ring, in excellent condition RCC BP PG2.

Minor Puppy Bitch

1st	Minfaa Lets Rock N Roll at Middletune ShCM	7 months, broad head, dark eye, tip tilted nose giving desired expression, neck of good length, length of body in correct proportion to height, high set tail, moved well, in good coat.
2nd	Ch. Minfaa Jitterbug JW	sister to 1 and very similar, also has a good head straight front, good neck, topline and tailset. Not quite the movement of 1.

Puppy Bitch

1st	Keytor Midnight Whisper	Stunning 11 months b/w excellent size and type, beautifully balanced broad round head dark eye, showing no white, good mouth, deep chest, straight front, good length of neck level back high set tail well rounded thight flows around the ring, in excellent condition RCC BP PG2.
2nd	Ch. Symaraju Little Mz Petite JW	b/w 11 months, lovely broad, round head, good width of muzzle deep chest, level topline, high set tail, moves well.

Junior Bitch

1st	Cedarhythe Tarts N Tiaras	Beautiful head and expression, large dark round eyes, well pigmented nose with wide open nostrils, neck of good length with the correct arch, nicely ribbed up level topline, correct tailset, moves well, in excellent coat.
2nd	Shorestar Incredible Izzy	Lovely head and melting expression, large dark round eyes, wide muzzle, good mouth nicely balanced deep chest, good topline and tailset, moves well.

Graduate Bitch

1st	Shorestar Incredible Izzy	Lovely head and melting expression, large dark round eyes, wide muzzle, good mouth nicely balanced deep chest, good topline and tailset, moves well.
2nd	Middletune Nanna Were Back	Broad round head, well placed dark eyes, wide muzzle, good topline and tailset. Lacked enthusiasm on the move.

Post Graduate Bitch

1st	Ch. Pekoe Fatal Attraction JW	cr/w with beautiful head, dark eyes with good width between, correct nose placement good mouth, well laid shoulders, deep broad chest, well ribbed, level back, moves with reach and drive, well presented.
2nd	Ethelsmead Tinker Taylor	Close to 1 also has a good head and eye. Correct front assembly, well ribbed well balanced, moves well, just needs undercoat.

Limit Bitch

1st	Keytor Love In A Mist	g/w who is beautifully feminine without losing the desired sturdiness, broad, round head large dark eyes, which have the desired width between, good mouth, nice arch to neck, good front, deep chest, level back well rounded thighs, moved with reach, drive and typical arrogance, beautifully presented CC
2nd	Ch. Sygar Looking For Gold	This g/w also has a lot to like, beautiful head and expression, good mouth, straight front, deep broad chest, well ribbed, level back, good tailset, excellent presentation, when she decided to move, demonstrated good reach and drive.

Open Bitch

1st	Ch. Chelhama Leading Light JW	Feminine head, lovely dark eye and wide muzzle, neck of good length, straight front, well ribbed up, level back high set tail, moves soundly
2nd	Cabbala Gilt Edged at Marhilway	Beautiful head and expression, dark eye and mouth, deep chest, level topline, good tailset and hindquarters. Not the overall balance of 1.

Best of Breed

1st	Ch. Yakee Diamond Geezer at Santosha (UK, Rus)	He took my eye when he entered the ring and I was not disappointed when going over him, excellent size and balance, beautiful head, large dark eyes, tip tilted nose, good mouth, correct arch of neck, deep chest, good front, level topline, high tailset, nicely rounded thigh, moved with desired reach and drive, in good coat CC & BOB

Best Puppy

1st	Keytor Midnight Whisper	Stunning 11 months b/w excellent size and type, beautifully balanced broad round head dark eye, showing no white, good mouth, deep chest, straight front, good length of neck level back high set tail well rounded thight flows around the ring, in excellent condition RCC BP PG2.