Page 21 - ShowSight Presents - The Shih Tzu

There may be a ‘bubble’ of hair over the forehead; it is your job to use your thumbs and fore fingers to learn whether the head is rounded, or whether the bubble is obscuring the fact that he dog does not have enough ‘stop’. There may be a tower- ing topknot, but you should put your fin- gers through it at the base to determine the shape and size of the head. We are losing the nice big head that should be a hallmark of the breed (narrow heads are a fault), so judges are urged to reward the proper heads when possible.
The topknot should help to frame the face and enhance the expression. Higher is not better! In fact, the too-tall topknot can actually distort the expression as well as the moving profile. While there should be enough length of neck to “permit natural head carriage...in balance with the height and length of the dog”, the Shih Tzu stan- dard also asks for an “overall well-balanced dog with no exaggerated features.”
After examining the head, it is time to further examine the body. Hopefully you will find straight front legs, tight elbows, broad and deep chest, good spring of ribs, well angulated shoulders, level topline, flat croup and a tail that is set on high, heav- ily plumed, and carried in a curve over the back. It is very important to remem- ber that the Shih Tzu should not have a ‘waist’—there should be little tuck up.
There are exhibitors who don’t seem to understand how to set their Shih Tzu up on the examination table. And, there are good handlers who are able to create a level topline when the dog is on the exam table but—for both, the true test is to watch the dog moving and then make final placement decision based on structure, movement and carriage. Judges need to be patient and examine all dogs equally.
SOME CURRENT CONCERNS
Tails should be “set on high, heav- ily plumed, carried in a curve well over the back. Too loose, too tight, too flat, or too low set a tail... should be penalized
to the extent of the deviation.” There are many Shih Tzu with a sloping croup and a resulting low tail set; these affect the topline and the overall balance of the dog.
There are also increasing numbers of Shih Tzu with ‘flat’ tails, where the tail is almost lying on the back of the dog. Even though the flat tail is more subtle than the low set tail, it is also improper.
BALANCE
We are seeing Shih Tzu that are success- ful in the ring and might look ‘glamorous’ moving around the ring, but they are too short in body. Eyes, as noted earlier, breed- ers need to pay attention to size, shape, color and placement of eyes to protect the proper expression.
SIZE & JUDGES
Shih Tzu are in the Toy Group, and have a range of weights (9 to 16 pounds) and heights (9" to 101⁄2" but not less than 8" nor more than 11"). Regardless of size, the Shih Tzu is always compact, solid and car- ries good weight and substance. Exhibitors complain that many judges seem to think that smaller is preferred—not true! As long as the Shih Tzu is within the weight and height range, each must be judged equally against the written Standard of the breed and not by any ‘cute factor’ that might be seen in smaller dogs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My husband and I began showing Poodles in Obedience and then Conformation many years ago and discovered Shih Tzu about the time they were recognized. Both breeds are wonder- ful family companions, which was important for our situation: our show dogs were kept in small numbers in a home situation. They had to enjoy life with our two sons and their friends. I judge the Toy and Non-Sporting Groups, Best in Show and Junior Showmanship. I’ve been privileged to judge in Japan and Australia, and to judge the American Shih Tzu Club National specialty twice. I am currently AKC Delegate
“Clark”, 2013 National Specialty Best of Breed winner, before and after his retirement haircut— appreciate how well he represents the Shih Tzu Standard. As you examine a Shih Tzu, remember what you would like to discover under the hair. Photo courtesy of Wendy, Richard and Jody Paquette. Illustration courtesy of the Illustrated Guide to the Shih Tzu Standard.
and Recording Secretary for the American Shih Tzu Club (a past President). I am also a mem- ber of Poodle Club of America, Golden Gate Shih Tzu Fanciers, Nor-Cal Toy Dog Fanci- ers and Poodle Club of Central California, and have served as an officer and/or committee member for all them.)
“...KEEP IN MIND THAT
‘...THE SHIH TZU MUST BE COMPACT, SOLID, CARRYING GOOD WEIGHT AND SUBSTANCE’.”
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2014 • 291