Shih Tzu Show Dog Judging For Coat Texture And Proper Handling

Proper coat texture of your show dog Shih Tzu will be checked
during the show dog judge’s examination. Proper coat texture of
a show dog Shih Tzu should be lustrous. A lustrous Shih Tzu show
dog coat is achieved by good nutrition, and high quality
grooming aids. Good coats are also passed down through lines of
selectively breeding Shih Tzu with good coats. With the
improvement in dog nutrition and grooming aids today, however,
there is really no excuse for a show dog Shih Tzu not to have a
proper coat texture. If you start with inherited proper coat
texture and provide your Shih Tzu with high quality nutrition,
the coat can further be enhanced by high quality grooming aids
to present the ultimate in beauty by the time your Shih Tzu
enters the show ring. One word of warning, however, be sure not
to enter the ring with evidence of powder or chalk, or too much
spray, you will likely put yourself out of the ring.

When the show dog judge is finished going over the Shih Tzu
completely he might step away from the Shih Tzu and give it a
final over-all side view look. This side view look helps a Shih
Tzu show dog judge keep a complete picture in his mind that he
will compare with the next Shih Tzu that is put up on the table.

If you are handling your Shih Tzu yourself this last look is
highly important. You should remember to keep your Shih Tzu on
its toes. The last thing you want is for the judge to take that
last look and find your Shih Tzu sitting or in some other
forbidden activity. Do not be constantly putting each single
hair in place or placing your Shih Tzu’s feet in the right
position. This would be seen as over-handling. If your Shih Tzu
is not able to stand on its own, look alive and ready for the
next command he is not trained and ready for the show ring.
Training is done outside of the ring. Performance is required at
the show.