BREEDER’S FORUM SHIH TZU
with MARGE BROWN
1. Tell us three conformation characteristics you consider criti- cal in your breeding program. I often wondered if my Shih Tzus ever fit the standard. I love neck and leg on a well balance and an arrogant car- riage. Short neck and short legs look so squatty and dumpy to me. 2. What dog that you bred have you been most excited about? Well, Shente’s Brandy Alexander will always be my all-time favorite stud dog and Shente’s Christian Dior is a close second. They are two different styles of dog, in my opinion. “Brandy” was a pretty, masculine boy, whereas “Chris- tian” was a tad on the bitchy side. Both produced very well for me. 3. What are your thoughts on importing and exporting? I think I am the only long-time breed- er who has never shipped a Shih Tzu to another foreign country. Not interest- ed! I care where my puppies go. I breed for myself and the rest go to loving pet homes. I have never imported a Shih Tzu either. I think breeders in both Can- ada and the United States breed beauti- ful Shih Tzus without going abroad. 4. What is your pet peeve in the show/breeding world? The Shih Tzu ring is a very competi- tive ring. I do believe handlers move the dogs far too fast. How can a judge seriously see their true gait when their feet are skimming over the mat? This has been said so many times, “It’s not a race”. 5 . Is there a grooming secret you would like to share? Grooming is extremely important in a show coat. The standard states, “a long, luxurious, flowing coat with an undercoat.” I recently attended shows where judges excused some Shih Tzus for poor conditioning. I respected the
judges for choosing to do that. If some- one chooses to get into the show ring with a Shih Tzu, they better be pre- pared to groom. 6. Do you inbreed, linebreed or outcross and why? When I started in the breed in 1975, you could find beautiful line bred pedi- grees to breed to. Even if you wanted to go out and breed to a different line bred pedigree, it was possible. As the years went on, breeders were breed- ing to whatever was winning, paying no mind to pedigrees. I must say I pres- ently breed “Type to Type”. I do value the pedigree and determine what it has for me, but it has to be able to produce the Shente type that I love. I am fortu- nate to have storage of both Brandy and Christian’s and will one day use them. It would be a shame not to use them. 7. Do you think your current standard is adequate? If not, what changes would improve it? Yes, I think the standard is adequate; best to leave it alone. So many breed standards are changed to describe the present day dogs that are winning. Breeders should adhere to the standard as closely as they can. 8. Where do you house your dogs and whelp your bitches? I do not keep as many Shih Tzus as I once did, but they have always been kept in my dog room and my puppies are whelped in my computer room. I can play free cell and watch them grow every day. 9. Your thoughts on selling pets versus show prospects? So many breeders can tell a show puppy right from the day it is born. I can’t! They change so much over the weeks and months. I look for move- ment, attitude and structure then try to get it all in one puppy, which is next
to impossible. Socialization is a key fac- tor in bringing all of that out in a poten- tial showpuppy. I am fortunate to belong to a kennel club that offers “Mat Time” every week. It is amazing to watch a shy puppy turn into a great show puppy in a few weeks of “Mat Time”! 10. What is the greatest health concern to breeders today? I have been very fortunate to not have any serious health problems in my breeding program. I know vets tell me the biggest issues are eyes and skin allergies, but nothing serious. 11. What do you enjoy most about owning this breed? Nothing beats a Shih Tzu. They are loving, friendly, healthy, willing to please and pretty. What more could a person ask for? ABOUT THE AUTHOR Best Puppy in Shows and won many Specialties in both countries. Through- out my years in Shih Tzus, I have also bred and shown Brussel Griffons. I currently have four Affenpinschers and am meeting many friends along the way. I am a life member of the Canadian Kennel Club, the St. Catha- rine’s Kennel Club and the Canadian Shih Tzu Club. I am Show Chairperson for the Wine Country Kennel Club and the St. Catharine’s Kennel Club in St. Catharine’s and am also a member of the American Shih Tzu Club. My interest in the dog world has also been in mentoring and helping new people along the way. I have been breed- ing Shih Tzus for 42 years, hav- ing bred over 100 champions, which produced app r o x ima t e l y 175 Best in Shows,
74 • T op N otch T oys , A pril 2017
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