|
 MOVEMENT
IN THE SHIH TZU
It seems
to me that as I watch at dog shows of late, something is happening
to the movement of our beautiful Shih Tzu. One only has to
view old tapes of the breed to see the difference.
A Shih
Tzu should have good reach and drive and be able to cover
ground. Does the dog really reach out as though he is trying
to pull as much ground past him as possible? Or does he mince
along, legs going so fast they are a blur, but not going anywhere?
Does he hesitate before taking that next step, choppy like?
Very acceptable on some breeds but not on a Shih Tzu.
Specifically
I’d like to talk about rears. The feet should not be
flying up in the air but remaining on the ground reaching
well under the dog and following through with the foot still
remaining on the ground. A foot that is flying up in the air
in the rear is a wasted effort and the air provides nothing
solid for the dog to push against. Consequently incorrect
movement.
A Shih
Tzu moving properly will move like a ship in full sail or
more accurately like a Hovercraft. For " they float as
if on a cloud" is the way the Shih Tzu has been described
in the old standards and by many of our more senior breeders.
Just because
a dog is raced around the ring with the handler running does
not make the action correct. The question is not who can finish
first but which is the correctly moving dog. Likewise there
should be no need to string a dog up. It should move on a
loose lead with its head well up.
I have
also noticed that many of the dogs have their heads placed
on the shoulders with none or very little neck. Could this
be where the problem lies? With the head in this position
you will not get the correct layback of shoulder, stilting
the movement.
 I
have talked to several judges who agree with me on the racing
of dogs in the ring. And not only Shih Tzu! One was quite
specific and said she stops her ring and asks the exhibitors
to walk with the dogs so that she can assess movement. A few
of the other breeds she mentioned were Dalmatians, Chows and
Shar-peis who should never be run, but in fact are raced around
the ring.
Is there
no end to this! Perhaps as breeders and owner handlers it
is our responsibility to educate judges and show them how
a Shih Tzu should be put together and shown in the ring. Shown
at its own pace, neither strung up or raced. And judges should
take the time to control their rings. The show ring is not
a race course.
This can
only be of benefit to our beautiful breed.
Respectfully
Jane
E. Couch
(appeared
in Oriental Express & Dogs in Canada)
Hér
er video af Shih Tzu á heimsýningunni, meistaraflokki
rakka.
|
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