Shih Tzu Show Dog Judging The Head, Body and Hindquarters

The Head: The show dog judge will ask you to place your Shih Tzu
show dog on the table. The Shih Tzu show dog judge will then get
the first close look at your Shih Tzu’s expression. He will be
looking for proper shape and dark eyes. He will check the length
of your Shih Tzu’s nose. He will look for the “correct”
slightly-undershot bite. The Shih Tzu show dog judge will
evaluate the shape of the top of your Shih Tzu’s head. He will
check to see that the hair pulled up in the topknot does not
alter the set and placement of the ears (all these things must
be exact to the AKC standard for a Shih Tzu show dog to pass).
One thing in particular the Shih Tzu show dog judge will not
want to see in your Shih Tzu is any sign of fear, or if your
Shih Tzu turns its head away. The expressions of fear or turning
the head away would indicate “shyness.” “Shyness” would be
considered a fault of the AKC show Dog Shih Tzu standard.

The Shih Tzu show dog judge will look at the ear leather. He may
raise the ears to check the length and thickness of the neck and
to see if the neck is well placed on the shoulders. These are
areas also that must be in compliance with the AKC standards of
a Shih Tzu show dog. The Shih Tzu show dog judge may trace the
angulation of the shoulders with his hands and the placement of
the front legs beneath the body is checked. A Shih Tzu show dog
judge may lift the dog up gently and let it down to see how well
the Shih Tzu lands on its feet. He may check the thickness of
the pads of the feet as well.

The Body: The Shih Tzu show dog judge will check to see if the
Shih Tzu is in good weight, not to thin or too fat. The weight
is measured on a scale of 9 to 16 pounds as being appropriate
for the Shih Tzu show dog. Under or over this weight would be a
fault.

The Hindquarters: The Shih Txu show dog judge will check your
Shih Tzu’s tail to see if it is set properly according to the
AKC standard for tail set. The tail must be carried over the
body to the correct degree. Angulation of hind legs is checked
and a check for the strength of the hindquarters is also made at
this time. An indication of weakness when the hocks are lightly
“twanged” or evidence of cow hocks would be noted as a fault in
your Shih Tzu. The hocks should be strong when moved gently back
and forth. If your Shih Tzu is a male, this is the point in
which the judge will count testicles. There must be two
testicles present or the male Shih Tzu will be disqualified.

There are strict standards of correct conformation of the head,
body and hindquarters, as well as other aspects of the Shih Tzu
that must be met during the Shih Tzu show dog judge’s
evaluation. Further information regarding these requirements can
be obtained from the American Kennel Club either by writing to
them directly or from the AKC official website.