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-Pei's 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.