Page 22 - ShowSight Presents - The Shih Tzu
P. 22
A GUIDE TO EXAMINING & JUDGING THE SHIH TZU
Judging the Shih Tzu can be a challenging task for the newly approved breed judge. Because the Shih Tzu is a heavily coated breed, one must take extra care during
the hands on examination.
Please judge the Shih Tzu by the AKC
standard and NOT by the name of the group it is placed in. Being a member of the AKC Toy Group, in no way implies that ‘smaller’ and ‘cuter’ are preferred. Breed- ers and judges should remember that most everywhere else in the world the Shih Tzu is NOT in the Toy Group. The Shih Tzu has not been bred down from some other com- bination of breeds. The Shih Tzu should be the third heaviest breed in the toy group, right behind the Pug and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. At the time of recognition, one reason given for placing the Shih Tzu in the AKC Toy Group was to eliminate confusion between the Shih Tzu and the Lhasa Apso. A few years ago, when AKC Group realignment was being considered, the membership of the ASTC was polled and the desire of the overwhelming major- ity was to remain in the Toy Group. Some members just wanted to leave things the way they were. Some members feared the breed would get larger if placed in the Non-Sport- ing or the proposed Companion Group. In Canada the Shih Tzu is in the Non-Sporting Group and Canadian Shih Tzu are no larger than American bred Shih Tzu and in fact, the Canadian dogs compete very well at our national specialties, Many Americans breed, to Canadian dogs. Some ASTC members did not want to be placed in the same group with Poodles and Bichon, which tend to dominate group winning there. An interest- ing note about the English Shih Tzu Stan- dard: The original English standard stated that “The Shih Tzu is neither a Terrier,
By Joe Walton
These four Illustrations show correct head shape, correct eye nose placement with both cut down and dogs in coat. From the ASTC Illustrated Guide To the Shih Tzu and are being used with the knowledge and permission of the ASTC.
nor a Toy.” It bears repeating; judge the Shih Tzu by the AKC standard and NOT by the name of the group it is placed in.
Type Over Soundness
The Shih Tzu should move as soundly as any other breed: sound coming and going, with a level topline and good reach and drive. BUT do not put physical and struc- tural soundness ahead of type. Remember form over function and the function of a Shih is to be a beautiful, pleasing compan- ion. Please find the typiest dogs in the ring and then reward the soundest of the typiest.
The Influence of Sex
There is little difference in appearance and size of males and females. Both sexes have been big winners, including multiple Nation- al Specialty and Best In Show winners.
Manhandling Shih Tzu
There is no reason to ever be heavy handed when judging the breed. Temper- amentally, Shih Tzu can ‘take being man- handled”, but there is absolutely no rea- son to squeeze the legs all the way down to the toes. It is possible to ascertain what is underneath the hair without squeezing.
