Full Critique for Birmingham 2018
Judge : Mr Tony Wareing
This critique reflects the judge's opinion
based on what they saw on the day of the show.
| So, this was my first appointment judging the breed at this level and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of going over so many dogs, at such a high standard. Thanks to the committee and to the knowledgeable and efficient stewards, who allowed me to focus on the job in hand. I don’t think it’s a contentious thing to state that our breed is not without fault, however you interpret the breed standard. Narrow mouths, wayward elbows and straight stifles were points to note - but on the whole I’m pleased that I found plenty of what I was looking for, broad heads, a well put together body and an arrogant, smooth-flowing movement so typical of the breed. It was reassuring to see the Best Puppy in Breed and Best Veteran in Breed represented so well at the Utility Group stages - both going on to be awarded Group 2 - well done all involved! |
| Minor Puppy Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Chanikos Living The Dream At Ethelsmead | A single entry class, but a worthy puppy to open the show with. 7 month gold and white with a good head and dark, round eyes. Appropriate width throughout with a solid structure which should develop well. Always alert on the move, ample puppy coat, seemed to enjoy the occasion. The future bodes well. |
| Puppy Dog | ||
| 1st | Ta Maria Black Edition at Matsuba (Fin Imp) | I believe this was a UK debut for this 9 month old puppy which opened his show career with an impressive performance. A quality black and white of traditional type. Warm young expression to be admired. Good width of fore chest, level topline and a well-balanced profile. Accomplished handler soon dealt with the pups brief ’first-show’ nerves, encouraging sound movement, displaying good drive and reach. With a little more experience, this young boy has all the makings of a winning show career. Awarded BPD and gave me a lot to consider for BPIB. |
| 2nd | Ch. Santosha Daybreak | 10 month old gold and white puppy, similar qualities to winner, with a good broad head and dark eyes, giving a wonderful warm puppy expression. Sound front, well ribbed and ample bone. Perfect top-line, moved well, but preferred the class winner’s more flowing movement on the day. Will be interesting to see how these two develop and will undoubtedly switch placings. |
| 3rd | Chaela Heartbeat | A charming looking gold and white puppy. Correct size. Strides out well enough and held a firm top-line. Super head, eye and muzzle leaving a warm expression. A promising youngster with a good future, superb coat presented well as always with this kennel. Slight lack of weight today due to bitches being in season - the cruel curse of showing a dog. |
| Junior Dog | ||
| 1st | Rossvale Fun In The Sun at Kimevan | At just turned one year old, this was a young solid gold to watch out for. Broad head with dark round eyes, correct nose and muzzle. Tight elbows and ample width at both front and rear, level top line and well-bodied which produced a faultless performance around the ring. Should mature well to contend for main awards in the future. |
| 2nd | Gladmin Soweto Storm JW | Another young one year old, this black and white shows overall decent qualities. Broad head, correct eyes set wide apart, warm expression. Well bodied, good rib and correct length and height proportions, with an impressive movement. Needs a little more time to mature than class winner, but loads of time for this promising youngster. Rarely out of the top two places at the start of, what promises to be, a successful show career. |
| Novice Dog | ||
| 1st | Chaela Heartbeat | A charming looking gold and white puppy. Correct size. Strides out well enough and held a firm top-line. Super head, eye and muzzle leaving a warm expression. A promising youngster with a good future, superb coat presented well as always with this kennel. Slight lack of weight today due to bitches being in season - the cruel curse of showing a dog. |
| Yearling Dog | ||
| 1st | Keytor The Jazz Singer | A lovely looking, coming up 2yr old gold and white boy. Super, broad head, dark round eyes set wide apart with good nose and correct muzzle, all culminating to give another delightful warm expression. Sufficient width at front and rear, with a solid, well proportioned body. Kept his profile and balance on the move and had an imposing appearance. Another good example of the breed with an encouraging future. Considered highly for challenge places. |
| 2nd | Ch. Jacquinta Lets Go Andy JW | A good looking 2 year old gold and white. Broad head, round, dark eyes, great muzzle rounding off a truly masculine and warm expression. Wide front, good ribs and well bodied. Lovely temperament, moved well around the ring, preferred winners accomplished performance on the day. |
| Graduate Dog | ||
| 1st | Alchez Emperor Kuzco | 2 year old solid black, typical looking Shih Tzu from this kennel. Lovely temperament. Good dark eyes on a very pleasing head leaving a warm expression. Level topline, good rear and adequate body. Shows full pad and sound in movement. |
| 2nd | Ch. Shalehan Yasheron | 20 month old gold and white boy in good coat, very well presented. Lovely, round eyes set on a broad head. Good width at front. Built correctly and moved well holding level topline. |
| Post Graduate Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Rossvale All About The Boy | Great belief has been shown with this three year old gold and white, which is now maturing well and is ’coming into his own’ - a worthy winner of a quality class. Dark, round eyes, set wide apart on a broad masculine head with a good nose and wide muzzle rounding off a warm expression. Classic size and substance from this kennel and sound body of correct proportions. Ample width at front and rear, with balanced body length, carrying a high tail set, crowning off an arrogant and sound movement. |
| 2nd | Ch. Santosha Cool Hand Luke | 2 year old gold and white. Broad round skull, dark eyes, good muzzle giving a warm, melting expression. Sound construction and of a proportioned size and profile. Two quality dogs from established kennels, hard to chose between, the smoother-flowing movement of class winner just pipped a quality performance from them both. |
| Limit Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Art Made Gene Kelly (Imp Swe) | An instantly impressive gold and white 2 year old, has ’male’ written all over him. Melting dark round eyes, set wide apart, with a superb nose size and placement, a wide mouth to round off a superior head and expression. Correct front, well ribbed-up body and well-angulated rear. Held a good outline at all times and really powered around the ring. Showing full pads as he drove away, a level topline stationary and on the move and so sound coming towards me. He deserved everything he won today and more, and at such a young age, he still has time to improve and is going to go from strength to strength, to continue to compete with the best. Awarded DCC and BOB. |
| 2nd | Chelhama Business Class | This lively, black and white, kept his handler alert. Classic typey head and expression. Good body and bone, correct width at both ends with a level topline. Moved around the ring well carrying a lovely head to tail balance at all times. More concise, but perfectly proportioned framework than winner. |
| Open Dog | ||
| 1st | Ch. Zamadar Majic Potion for Cedarhythe | So, a class oozing quality throughout which made choosing a winner very challenging. Interestingly, it also brought together this established multi-champion and an up-coming newly crowned champion who finished in second-place. So much to like about this superb black and white accomplished showman. Broad head, with an arrogant male expression and solidly built throughout. He demanded attention as he showed off his outstanding movement. The standard of this class was extremely high with a deserved winner - a real privilege to judge. Awarded RDCC. |
| 2nd | Ch. Honeyshuchun God of Thunder | I’ve been fortunate to watch this gold and white dog closely over recent times and have thoroughly enjoyed his well-deserved progression to champion status. Another classic-looking, broad masculine head, showing round dark eyes, set apart with quality wide muzzle. correct width at both ends and moved well around the ring. Preferred the fuller matured body of today’s class winner but pushed him close. |
| Veteran Dog | ||
| 1st | Tzusweet Super Sleuth | Solid Gold 7 year old veteran. Broad head with warm masculine breed expression. Well boned throughout with good body and a level topline. He didn’t give his best movement initially, but soon brought it back together to move well enough and put in an all round, generally good performance. |
| 2nd | Ch. Shanitaus Mane Attraction JW | old and white 8 year old veteran. Gorgeous broad head, dark round eyes set wide apart, giving the warmest of expressions. Ample bone throughout and presented well. I preferred the head of this entry, but didn’t feel this proven champ put in his usual accomplished performance today, he didn’t ’fire on all cylinders’ around the ring for some reason. I’m sure it was a one-off. |
| Minor Puppy Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Zeeva Reflections JW | This was to be the start of a very long and successful day for this little cracker. Extremely promising 8 month old, in a full gold and white coat. Charming puppy expression, classic dark round eyes and appropriate nose and mouth placement, creating a ’picture perfect’ feminine young head. Correct ample front, good early rib and proportional loin. Strong hindquarters and a good tail, illustrating a well-balanced profile. Cascaded round the ring with superb reach and drive. Awarded a flawless BPB, BPIB and went on to do the breed proud in by gaining Utility Puppy Group 2. |
| 2nd | Chanikos Born To Dream at Ethelsmead | Born To Dream. Another 8 month old and similar size and profile to winner. Showing a good early coat for a black and white. Broad head, good front and sturdy body with correct early proportions. Encouraging tail to head balance and a lovely temperament. Whilst I preferred the winners over-all head features at this early stage, this puppy has all the makings of a promising career. |
| Puppy Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ta Maria Royal Fantasy At Matsuba (Fin Imp) | Another UK debut for this gold and white puppy with a good early coat. Dark, warm eyes set well apart on a broad head with a well placed nose giving a sweet expression. Good width of fore chest, level topline, sound body and a confident mover showing plenty of drive. Bags of early enthusiasm on the move, which if reigned back, should produce quite a little stunner. |
| 2nd | Jo-Kin’s The Dark Side Has Cookies Avec Alche | 8 month old solid black. Plenty of time for her head to mature to compliment this pups lovely balanced body. Good width at front, level topline, good drive and moved well. Classic profile standing and on the move. |
| Junior Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Rossvale Only In Dreams JW | Quality gold with warm feminine head and expression to be admired. Presents a well-balanced picture, both standing and on the move. Correctly constructed fore and hindquarters resulting in free and impressive movement. Promising future. |
| 2nd | Carlita Time to Samba JW | Gold and white young girl with melting dark, round eyes, correct nose resulting in a charming female expression. Sufficient width at the front, level topline, with tail carried high and a pleasing overall size. Good body and structure. |
| Novice Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Zeeva Reflections JW | This was to be the start of a very long and successful day for this little cracker. Extremely promising 8 month old, in a full gold and white coat. Charming puppy expression, classic dark round eyes and appropriate nose and mouth placement, creating a ’picture perfect’ feminine young head. Correct ample front, good early rib and proportional loin. Strong hindquarters and a good tail, illustrating a well-balanced profile. Cascaded round the ring with superb reach and drive. Awarded a flawless BPB, BPIB and went on to do the breed proud in by gaining Utility Puppy Group 2. |
| 2nd | Polmac Dangerous Liaison | Large head with a solid assembly on this 16 month old bitch. Sufficient width at front and rear. Well ribbed-up body and structure. Held her outline at all times and moved well round the ring. Was up against a quality performance from the class winner today. |
| Res | Jo-Kin’s The Dark Side Has Cookies Avec Alche | 8 month old solid black. Plenty of time for her head to mature to compliment this pups lovely balanced body. Good width at front, level topline, good drive and moved well. Classic profile standing and on the move. |
| Yearling Bitch | ||
| 1st | Warathwaite Pure As Snow | First impressions show why this young g/w girl - approaching 2yrs old - has her showing career off to an impressive start - and today was no exception. Yet another class win for this attractive female with a soft, warm expression, dark round eyes, good pigmentation and a wide muzzle. Balanced profile, with breed-defining, high tail. Good on the move, the future bodes well for this young girl. |
| 2nd | Isishouse Queen Meritaten for Chellanda | Turned 18 month old gold and white girl of good size and body. Good width at the front, well-ribbed and favourable proportions. Moved well, both going out and coming back, another close call, but class winner’s ring performance slightly better today. |
| Graduate Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Tsantha Adornment | Not to be deceived by her sweet expression, this dynamic girl, approaching 2yr old, packed real substance. Beneath her feminine exterior, lies a solid and well proportioned framework. Her warm expression was matched by her correct fore chest, ample ribcage and strong hindquarters, resulting in a well balanced quality bitch that both looked appealing and moved correctly. Strongly considered for main awards. |
| 2nd | Zeeva Zafirah | Another lovely looking 2 year old gold and white girl. Feminine appearance, dark round eyes, snooty expression and correct head. Good head to tail balance and level topline. Handled well but preferred substance of class winner. |
| Post Graduate Bitch | ||
| 1st | Dolha’s Step Out in Style | A solid gold girl with a truly dark feminine expression, large round eyes and correct nose. Well constructed, good fitting elbows with plenty of room for reach at the front. The rear was equally as impressive, with a strong loin and good hindquarters and driven well from the rear. Balanced movement throughout all aspects of the triangle, impressed going away and coming towards me. Awarded RBCC today, but only a matter of time before multiple CCs come her way. |
| 2nd | Ta Maria Amethyst(Imp) | Gold and White with similar qualities to class winner. Lovely head and warm expression, good width at front and rear with strong body and excellent breed profile. Moved well generally, though a little sporadic - she seemed over-focussed on her handler at times, which restricted what could have been a much smoother flowing and complete ring performance. |
| Limit Bitch | ||
| 1st | Anyang Whispering Breeze | This gold & white bitch headed one of the largest classes of the day, both in numbers and quality. Bundles of substance throughout, crowned with a superb head. Dark round eyes, wide muzzle and correct nose. Level topline throughout and carried tail well. A worthy winner of a quality class. |
| 2nd | Thaisu Vampire Kisses for Marbo | Solid Gold girl with black mask. A warm and snooty expression, polished off with gorgeous dark round eyes set in a broad head set. Lovely feminine proportions, impressive movement, but would have preferred a touch more weight. |
| Open Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Rossvale Secret Obsession | This girl entered the ring showing off and defied anyone to take their eyes off her as she put on yet another masterclass of showmanship. Correct feminine head with dark round eyes, good nose placement and wide mouth rounded off the sweetest, warm expression. Good front and rear with a well proportioned body throughout. I awarded this girl BoB in a Club Open show before many of her major wins and she has gone from strength to strength. I gather she has now been awarded 9 CCs [including Crufts], it’s surely only a matter of time before she makes her landmark ’double figures’. Awarded a worthy BCC. |
| 2nd | Ch. Taydale Dancin In The Stars with Cedarhythe | Another from this kennel with grace and confidence that could show all day if asked. Her snooty, arrogant expression shone through her typical female head. Correct proportions throughout, resulting in an admirable, compact and balanced profile. Lovely temperament and superb movement. It was a genuine privilege to judge at such a high standard of the breed today. Pleased to call back to challenge for RBCC. |
| Veteran Bitch | ||
| 1st | Ch. Thaisu She Rocks | 9 yr old gold and white classic portrait of a quality Shih Tzu - I could end this critique right there, but I’ll go on - Large head with dark round eyes, a wide muzzle, correct nose and placement leaving a typical warm expression. A firm wide front and good rear resulting in correct construction. Appropriate length of neck leading to a level top line held well in movement and outstanding profile. I had to confirm dates before writing this critique as this was a veteran of timeless quality, which proved to be the case in the Veteran Group. A proven Champion of exquisite quality, left nothing outside the ring today. Considered highly for tickets. Awarded BV, BVIB & a worthy Veteran Utility Group 2! |
| 2nd | Alchez Ching Lan | another 9 year old veteran with a ’younger-than-years’ head. Typical expression with dark warm eyes. Good front and rear, giving a well constructed body with sound movement but preferred general appearance of winner. |