June 2002

June 2002

Thanks to Gloria Townsin for some sensible comments about copographia. She says, “In Dr Ian Billinghurst's book "Give Your Dog a Bone", he actually says that puppies eat everything that will go in their mouths, mud, dirt, food and, yes, you know what. In fact he as good as says that it is essential that they do eat the distasteful - pooh. My vet says that dogs will all to a degree be tempted, some more than others, and that what we think of as disgusting is perfectly normal for canines. She did suggest that sauerkraut added to the diet might stop the habit, but how do you get a Shih Tzu to eat sauerkraut? “By and large the best way is to clear up immediately and remove the temptation. Anyway it is healthier to keep all areas free of nasties, especially now with the warmer weather. I have to say my worst offender is my 14-year-old who (due to bloat a few years ago) is on a restricted diet, so that could account for her addiction to scavenging. “When we had horses, the dogs would love to eat their droppings - but a word of warning. If you are out in the fields with your dogs, don't allow them to do this, if they should eat horse droppings from a horse that has been wormed they could well ingest traces of horse wormer which could make them ill. The other thing that dogs of all kinds go mad for is horse hoof, their treat when the blacksmith calls.”

Are you going to Windsor? If you are, you’ll be interested in the following message, which has reached Dogsbody today from Gloria Townsin, who writes: “I wonder if you would be kind enough to remind all who are attending Windsor Championship Show that the Shih Tzu Club will be running their club stall as usual. There will be lots to interest Shih Tzu afficionados, general canine books, show equipment, painted glassware, gifts and of course the Shih Tzu garden ornament (the mould of which is owned exclusively by the club). Plus club membership forms, badges, bands, books, T-shirts, Sweatshirts etc. Be sure to make of point of visiting us. “If anyone would like to order a garden statue (price £20), to be collected at either Windsor Ch. Show, the Shih Tzu Club Summer show, or at another agreed show, they can e-mail me at -GloriaTownsin@redhall89.freeserve.co.uk” And, as far as I can remember, the entries close for: Bournemouth: 15th June 2002 (Judge – Vanessa Williams) Welsh Kennel Club: 24th June 2002 (Judge - Ken Roberts)

The Three Counties Championship show took place at the usual showground on Tuesday, June 11th, with Carol Harwood judging our breed. The Champion Certificate (Dog) with Best of Breed was won by Metcalfe’s Champion Wingates Dangerous Liason [Imp], sired by Am. Ch. Karyon Cool Connection ex Am. Ch. Wingates About Face. The RDCC went to Stirzaker’s Harropine The Devonian at Mylurose, (Ch. Weatsom Tomba La Bomba ex Wingates Leaving Las Vegas [Imp]). Stangeland’s Weatsom One ‘N’ Only, (Harropine Chicago Bear ex Weatsom its All Happening), took the Challenge Certificate (Bitch) and Franks’ Champion Hashanah Flashpoint, (Huxlor Trigger Happy ex Hashanah Sheer Audacity), won the RBCC. Best Puppy in Breed was won by Paradise & Young’s Sonoltay Tuff Stuff – sorry, Dogsbody does not know the breeding of this one. At this show, the weather was such that we might have been expected to go under cover to be judged. The problem was that conditions underfoot were so unsatisfactory in the wet-weather ring that it was actually preferable to be judged outside in the rain! To add insult to injury, in another covered area a carpet was provided for large dogs to use – whilst for us (and the Lhasa Apsos) all that was on offer was a rough, dirty and dusty surface. This was more than enough to cause exhibitors to organise an impromptu petition to the show management, asking for better conditions next year. Perhaps we should have emulated the Pug exhibitors on the day before who, so rumour has it, refused to continue exhibiting until the situation they were unhappy about was set to rights? Ah, but is that “exhibitor power” or “mob rule”? It was referred to as the latter in the dog press. What do you think?

The only person to make an immediate response to my last diary entry was Andrew Fairchild, who writes: “I do enjoy reading your Diary but I am a little concerned at the comment regarding the pug situation at Three Counties. My sources tell me this has not finished. “It seems there were errors on behalf of Three Counties. Jane Lilley was sent to the ring . . . but why wasn’t the Chief sent? It seems because none of the show committee wanted to get involved. Also, the lady concerned had started judging and therefore should all the awarded prize cards have been returned and judging restarted from the beginning? It seems many Kennel Club rules have been broken, and surely a few people complaining, ten I believe, should not warrant a change of judge? After all, how many times have we all moaned about his or her judging and sometimes it is appalling! Perhaps it is the state of judging in this country - I have seen dogs being well placed, who couldn’t walk with a tail up, over a dog who walked extremely well. “I do think the pug situation is best left alone because there is more to come . . . and of course perhaps we should be trying to raise the standard of judging, instead of having to put up with sub standard and favouritism. Of course mob rule must never be allowed, but impartiality is what makes a good judge. Sorry to go on a bit, but I do enjoy your diary and hope it continues to prosper.” Dogsbody’s thanks go to Andrew for his thought-provoking comments. Perhaps I should not have made my facetious comments to the effect that we Shih Tzu exhibitors should have considered “striking” instead of just signing a petition? I did not mean it to be taken entirely seriously, since of course the situation facing our breed was quite different from that facing those who were showing Pugs. The main point I wanted to make is that without exhibitors there would be NO SHOWS, so I personally think it is incumbent on all show organizers to treat those who do enter with a bit of consideration!

More about Three Counties . . . First of all, Dogsbody has been brought up-to-date on the breeding of the Best Puppy in Breed at that show – you’ll remember that this was Paradise & Young’s Sonoltay Tuff Stuff, well, the sire is Weatsom Cool Britannia at Sonoltay JW and the dam is Champion Sonoltay Special Dream JW. And now for another comment about the issues raised by events at that show. “I have to say, Dogsbody, that the indoor rings for our breed were appalling and your comments that without the exhibitors there would be no shows are so true. There should be more consideration given to all breeds, but where you have a breed with a long coat and - perish the word I know - a touch of glamour attached, extra thought should be applied to the conditions provided to show them. If the indoor "amenities" had come to be used at this venue, the dogs would have needed a good bath to get the dust out of their coats, a.s.a.p. This is quite apart from the fact that the light and general appearance of the indoor area was quite dreary and would have done nothing to show the dogs off to their best. “Judging being a ‘matter of opinion on a certain day’, is more often than not questionable, (and here I speak in general terms and not on any occasion in particular). The thing to do is not to enter under a judge again if you feel his/her judging was completely unjust. You could certainly cut down on showing expenses that way!” That was Gloria Townsin. Dogsbody does so agree, Gloria, better not to get into personalities and to stick to general terms. One can still make a point that way.

I had a visitor this morning, a five-month-old Shih Tzu called Casey. He came to be shown off and because his owners felt in need of some advice about coat care, now that he is getting quite a profuse coat. The delightful thing about this visit was the mixture of amazement and pride with which his owners described his exploits. They have never owned a dog before, let alone a Shih Tzu, so they were enchanted by things which we, (experienced dogsbodies all), tend to take for granted. Casey is so intelligent, they declared, that he knows where his food is kept and will go to the cupboard and paw at the door if he is hungry. He barks if his water bowl is empty, goes to the door if he needs to go out and only has an accident in the house occasionally now. He loves his walks and can hear the rattle of the lead from the very bottom of the garden. And so on. Is he ever naughty, I asked? No, not really, came the reply. But he does sometimes get into mischief because he’s so intelligent. Casey did chew the remote control of the TV beyond repair, but that was our fault for leaving it within reach. And he did chew a rug and one of his master’s slippers, but that was only because he was bored and we hadn’t bought him any new toys that week. Oh, and he dug up all our newly planted bedding plants last week – that was funny! He does need lots of things to do, and likes us to play with him a lot, that’s because he’s so clever. Their departure left me a bit thoughtful. I don’t have chewed rugs, nor a destroyed remote control, but do I enjoy my puppies as much as Casey’s owners do? What’s the “worst” thing your puppies have ever done? Further to our debate about not getting a fair deal as exhibitors, here is another thoughtful contribution. “Re the comment about voting with one's feet. From the numbers entered this year, it looks like people are doing just that. I wonder if the message will ever get through or will it be put down to whinging exhibitors? There are none so blind as those that do not want to see. Or none so deaf as those that will not listen." Alex Garry. Nothing to do with anything in particular, but do you like this advertisement from a local paper? “Crossbred puppies for sale. Father a German Shepherd, mother a Siberian Hussy.”

Now to catch up with some UK show news. Border Union was a show to wallow in, or so I hear, with the going underfoot so bad that the caravan folk had to be towed ONTO the site, never mind getting off! Although it was blowing a mini-gale, Jim Outterside judged outside and none of his exhibits actually got blown away. The Champion Certificate (Dog), with Best of Breed, was awarded to Franks’ Champion Hashanah Hot Shot, with Grugans’ Jardhu Tobii-Tobias winning the reserve D.C.C. In bitches, Franks’ Champion Hashanah Flashpoint took the Champion Certificate, with the reserve C.C. going to Sanderson’s Harropine Spark To A Flame. Best Puppy in Breed was won by Cookes’ Thaisu Strictly Sinatra. Judy Franks had a wonderful day: not only had she “done the double” (which is how we describe winning both the Champion Certificates) but she also went on to win Utility Group 2 with Hot Shot.

Back in the caravan park, the only thing to do was to batten down the hatches and make the best of things. I heard that Jim and Vikki Grugan decided to cheer themselves up with a splendid dinner of roast chicken. Just as this was ready, and they were settling down to watch TV, the TV set went “phut” and started to emit vile smelling smoke. There was nothing for it but to open the window and eject the thing out into the mud before it burst into flames – but when they trudged outside to inspect it, nothing so spectacular was happening, it just sat there. At this point, some kindly neighbours called out that the puppy had taken advantage of the diversion to escape – so off went Jim and Vikki in pursuit. Of course, by the time they had re-captured him he was dripping with mud too. And then, to crown it all, when they plodded back to the caravan they discovered that one of the dogs had eaten Jim’s chicken! Gosh, it can be fun caravanning in an English summer

Oh dear, what naughty Shih Tzus we all have. Here are a few examples: 1. My puppy chewed at a down-filled cushion off the sofa, but she had towed it into the kitchen first! We were finding feathers everywhere for weeks and weeks afterwards, even in our food. No amount of hoovering seemed to get rid of them. 2. We had a puppy and he used to love to swing on our floor-length curtains. This didn’t do the curtains any good at all, so we shouted NO until he learned not to. But if you were talking on the phone, he used to run round the corner and swing on one of the curtains just out of sight. Clever, or what? 3. I am not sure what is the naughtiest thing my puppies have ever done, as they seem to love mischief. I had one who loved chewing cables especially internet cable. One minute I was enjoying surfing the web, the next I was totally offline! 4. This puppy of ours chews EVERYTHING. Yes, Dogsbody, everything, shoes, carpets, food bowls the bottoms of my trousers. There is only one thing unusual about all this – he is SIX years old this August!!! And . . . I think my favourite was the following saga, sent by Zoë, Pheobe, India & Frankie – “I was reading your article today and it did make me laugh. I have Shih Tzu, two girls, Pheobee who is two and a half, and India who was one in February and one boy Frankie who is five months old. I bred him myself. “The puppies were born on the 10th of January and at the time India was only eleven months old (my second girl). Having never been an only child India found the whole experience a bit strange and really missed her playmate. Pheobee and the puppies were in a whelping box, which at about 3 weeks I moved in to the kitchen under the work surface so Pheobee could get out but no one else could get in. One day I discovered India on the Kitchen work surface with her head under neath looking in the box to see what was going on, and yes she jumps up there! “This little trick has continued, even though the box is no longer there and the puppies have gone. On many occasions I can go out and when I get home I come face to face with India through the kitchen window nose pressed to mine! One day in particular, I was in for a real surprise when I got in. When I opened the front door things were particularly quiet and there were no wagging tails waiting for me (always a sign that little ones are doing things that they should not be). As I entered the kitchen, there was India on the work surface with the kitchen cupboards wide open. She had taken out a box of frosties, the contents of which were everywhere - all over the floor, the work surface and in her mouth. The box which had contained the frosties looked as though she had chewed it then spat it out. There were Farley's rusks scattered as though she had tossed them to the dogs below, soggy kitchen roll and various other items. Despite all the mess, the funniest thing was her wagging tail and look of "it wasn't me mummy - honest" on her little face. I am still finding bits of Farley's Rusks in their toy box to this day!” And finally, a comment following from the Diary entry about Border Union: “Dear dogsbody, I know we should not laugh at the afflicted but I am sure Jim & Vikki would not get too upset if I said I fell of my chair. Not, I hasten to add, at their misfortune - just the picture it conjures up. Trudging back to the van with one soggy doggy under arm to find some RAT has eaten your dinner. It’s not only the TV that would be smoking and spitting flames!” From, An ex-happy camper

This year the Blackpool Championship show was judged by Keith Nathan. His choice for the Challenge Certificate (Dog) was Howard's Ch Tameron Mr XS, with the Reserve D.C.C. being won by Crossleys’ Santosha D'ya Feel Lucky The Challenge Certificate (Bitch), with Best of Breed, went to Maule's Shanjo Harmonia Ruby JW, here winning that all-important third ticket and thus giving us a new champion. Bred by B. & C. Horsman, and owned by Pat Maule, she was sired by Ch. Cedarhythe Into The Red ex Daltricia Aphrodite and born in October, 1999. Her first C.C. was taken at Belfast in 2000, the judge being Zena Thorn-Andrews, and her second came at Belfast again, the following year, from Jean Moir-Heath (Cijena). The reserve B.C.C. winner was Howland's Tanibet Lady Be Good. Best Puppy in Breed was Miss F & Mr H Clifford's Cedarhythe Zero To Hero (Ch Cedarhythe Hot of the Press X Harropine I'm Only Teasin Cedarhythe). It is nice to hear some good news about a show. After Blackpool, Andrew Fairchild wrote that - “My puppy took ill on the way to the show at Blackpool, and it was suggested by another friendly exhibitor (Fleur Clifford) to take him to the vet, which I had never thought of doing as I thought he was only there for emergencys etc., broken bones and things like that. “The vet was very kind, gave him a couple of injections of antibiotics to settle him and shut the system down and a couple of tablets for home, and then said ‘no charge'! After my thankyou's he even then said ‘you are most welcome’. I was most impressed and grateful to him and of course to Fleur for her advice and suggestion too.”

Minxi-Minx (Definition) “A Minxi-Minx is a female Shih Tzu normally aged between 6 months and 4 years but can continue for the whole of their life. No Human Equivalent. Not to be confused with a ‘Harlot’ who attaches herself to any available male, nor a ‘Mistress’, for obvious reasons. Nearest equivalent a ‘Daughter’! Is inclined to twist besotted male human continually around outstretched paw. This results in severe spinal distortion and pain. Owners of such animals can easily be spotted due to the bent appearance or hands continualy rubbing the lumber region of the back.”

And so we come to Windsor, a Championship show which is mainly notable for its setting with the castle as a backdrop. This year our breed was judged by R Vuorinen all the way from Finland. His choice for the Challenge Certificate (Dog) was our current breed record holder, Grugans’ English & Irish Champion Jardhu the Republican, (Bellakerne Dandii-Do of Jardhu ex Huxlor Personality Plus of Jardhu), with the reserve D.C.C. going to Franks’ Champion Hashanah Hot Shot, (Huxlor Trigger Happy ex Hashanah Sheer Audacity). The Challenge Certificate (Bitch), together with Best of Breed, was won by Franks’ Champion Hashanah Flash Point, (litter sister to the R.D.C.C. winner). Symonds’ Berylendan's Rose in June won the reserve B.C.C. (Essvana The Terminator ex Berylendans Dressed In Sable), whilst the Best Puppy in Breed went to Barrons’ Lauramist Black Illusion at Maitreya, (Lauramist Ace of Spades JW ex Aruba Something Special of Lauramist). You can see the full results of the judging on the Highams Press web site, through the link on this page.

Yesterday, at the Paignton Championship show, Shih Tzu were judged by Terry Nethercott. His choice for the Challenge Certificate (Dog) was Quicks’ Minfaa Rhinestone Cowboy, (Harropine Fact Not Fiction at Minfaa ex Harropine Darling Rubie), whose first CC win this was. The reserve D.C.C. went to Franks’ Champion Hashanah Hot Shot (Huxlor Trigger Happy ex Hashanah Sheer Audacity). In bitches, “Hotshot’s” litter sister, Champion Hashanah Flash Point, won the Challenge Certificate (Bitch) with Best of Breed, (taking these awards for the second show running), and later Judy took Flashpoint into the Utility Group to win Utility Group 2 under Dennis Coxall. The reserve B.C.C. was won by Stangeland’s Champion Weatsom One 'N’ Only, (Harropine Chicago Bear ex Weatsom It’s All Happening). Best Puppy in Breed went to Goodwin’s Kucheng Klassic Capers at Cabbala, (Weatsom Dressed To Impress for Ashwell ex Kucheng Maybe This Time). The full results for our breed can be seen here . Entries close at the following UK championship shows this month: City of Birmingham: 8th July Richmond: 15th July SKC: 17th July Darlington: 30th July Yes, it’s going to be an expensive month!

Do you ever hear something at a show, or see something in an e-mail, and think either, “Oh, I WISH I’d said that” – or alternatively, “You didn’t REALLY say THAT?” Well, with the following quotation, (from an e-mail), I leave it to you to work out which way Dogsbody reacted! “I reckon the trouble with Shih Tzus is that the coat not only hides the dog’s faults, it hides the judges faults too.”

Here’s an item for anyone who is interested in natural feeding for dogs. It was sent to me by someone who has always advocated a natural diet for the Shih Tzu, and in fact set me off on that same path some years ago by recommending Ian Billinghurst’s book “Give Your Dog A Bone”.

I can remember as if it were yesterday the first time I ever gave one of my dogs a raw chicken wing – I had even checked that the vet was available! We all know that you must never give the dogs cooked bones, but seeing that dog crunch at the tiny bones in the raw chicken wing seemed quite dangerous at the time! What if a bone stuck in his throat/intestine? But of course it didn’t!

Now Tom Lonsdale, another vet from Australia with similar views, has written a book called ”Raw meaty Bones” and is also undertaking a lecture tour in the U.K. this month. If he is coming to your area, it looks as if it will be well worth going along. You can find all the details of his book, and of the venues for the lectures,
here.

As Tom Lonsdale said in a recent press interview, “If animals could talk, chances are that the prevention of vile breath, toothache, skin disease, immune compromise and a host of ailments would be their preferred option. As pet owners, we would be better off if pets did not need vets and the price of pet food fell.”

While I was unable to load my files into the diary, I received show results from two different countries. In South Wales, at the championship show where our judge was Brenda Roberts, (Zuthis), both the Challenge Certificates were given to dogs which had not won this award previously. The Dog C.C.went to Richardson's Bellakerne Barnaby-Do, and the Bitch C.C. with Best of Breed to Lawrence's Huxlor Political Affair. The reserve D.C.C. was won by Crossley's Santosha Santorini and the reserve B.C.C. by Quick's Minfaa Dancing Queen, with Best Puppy in Breed going to Cooke's Thaisu Strictly Sinatra. And in Amsterdam in Holland, where Pieter Burema was our judge at the World Show on July 5th, and where I hear some British exhibitors had made the long journey to show their Shih Tzu, Best Dog was Khe-San Zim Zala Bim, Best Bitch with Best of Breed went to Khe-San Twice As Nice, and Best Puppy was Fu Xing of The Wilacks. All the results, and picture, can be found on the Bakalo site.

Now to get right up-to-date with the results from the East of England Championship show, affectionately (?) known to UK exhibitors as Peterborough! Our breed was judged yesterday, with the judging taking place outside in bright sunlight. By the time the bitch judging started it was a little hot for comfort but the bitches coped well. Nigel Stevens (Peekin) judged the breed and his choice for the Challenge Certificate (Dog) with Best of Breed was Sue and David Crossleys’ homebred Santosha Santorini, (Ch. Santosha Red October ex Santosha Super Model). This was Santorini’s second ticket, his first having been won when Brian Halton judged at the Northern Counties Shih Tzu club Championship show earlier this year. Now here’s a coincidence! At that same Northern Counties club show, Bert Easdon was judging the bitches and his choice for the Bitch ticket was Bequet’s Santosha Rainbow High. Well, the winner of the Challenge Certificate (Bitch) at Peterborough was this very same bitch! As “Rainbow High” had previously won her first ticket at Leeds in 2001 from Les Williams (Crowvalley), this was a third ticket to finish her title, and so we have a new champion in the breed. Born in May 2000, Santosha Rainbow High was sired by Santosha D’Ya Feel Lucky out of Santosha Red Dawn, and here is her pedigree. The reserve D.C.C. was won by Young & Paradise’s Weatsom Cool Britannia at Sonoltay JW, (Weatsom Dressed To Impress for Ashenwell ex Weatsom Picabo), and the reserve C.C. for bitches went to Gilkes’ Champion Hashanah Love Unlimited for Zeeva JW, (Ch. Hashanah Relentless Pursuit ex Hashanah Love At First Sight). Best Puppy in Breed was Young & Paradise’s Sonoltay Tuff Stuff, (Weatsom Cool Britannia at Sonoltay ex Ch. Sonoltay Special Dream JW), another success for Laura after winning the reserve D.C.C. earlier in the day with his father. You can find all the results here .

Can you just imagine this? Ricky Tomlinson was photographed (trousers down) sitting on a lavatory in the middle of Clapham Common with a Shih Tzu on his lap! Yes, honestly, I’ve been sent the photos to prove it, although sadly I don’t have copyright clearance to publish them here. If I did, some U.K. exhibitors would probably recognise the dog that is featured in the publicity shots, since it is well-known on our show circuit. This stunt was to do with a publicity campaign to launch this summer’s Keep Britain Tidy Campaign, - and I’m sure the Shih Tzu was chosen for the photo shoot because he is so photogenic - and not because our breed is notorious for fouling in public parks! The reason the actor was sitting on a loo was to put over the message that “you wouldn’t do this, so don’t let your dog”. Just in case you are snorting with disbelief, go to this page and read about it for yourself. The photos of the launch, including the Shih Tzu, are not up on the web anywhere that I can find.

Wow! There are certainly some stars among us Dogsbodys! One of them ought to be a detective! This lady went on the hunt and actually found one of the photos of Ricky Tomlinson up on the web. It can be seen right here , so now (as that successful searcher put it) you can all share the fun! OK, so which dog IS this, now that you’ve seen a picture?

Here are the results of the Leeds Championship show last weekend, with Jean Anderton (Pekoe) judging the breed. Best of Breed went to the winner of the Champion Certificate (Bitch), Franks’ Ch Hashanah Flash Point. Flash Point went on to win Utility Group 3 under Group judge Joyce Mann, whilst Lord’s Huxlor Triggered Fantasy took the reserve B.C.C. In dogs, Lintern’s Hashanah Elite With Mingshu JW won the Champion Certificate (Dog), with the reserve D.C.C. going to Franks’ Hashanah Lock Stock 'N' Barrel from the Junior class. Best Puppy In Breed was won by Johnson’s Paliden Walk That Walk At Keytor. And, for those who are interested, here are the all details of the class placings.