Shih Tzu Reporter - Spring '10 - Mr. Victor Joris

Paying It Forward

Nancy Manelski
WoTeH'sin Shih Tzu


Purpose. What's yours?

Anyone can breed dogs. Take a look through your newspaper or better yet, take a trip to the humane society or your local shelter. Point and click your way to petfinder.org. It's eye opening really. If everyone that bred a litter of dogs stated their purpose, I think you would find that most wouldn't even touch upon betterment of the breed they took the time to propagate. And that is so sad.

About two years ago, I had an older dog for which I eventually wanted to find a forever home. We can't keep them all even if they are titled. And it pained me to place this dog because he was well on his way to a championship and he had already had a rocky road during his short life. He had some beautiful qualities. But for various reasons, I knew he didn't carry the necessary genetic make-up I needed to work with down the road. It seems cold, but those were the facts. So I was wrestling with the thought of spending more money showing him when I knew I would never breed him.

I had numerous conversations with a lady that got my name from a trusted source. She was looking for a dog to show. Actually, she wanted a bitch, but she found herself, or so she said, drawn to this dog. During our many conversations, this person told me she had no interest in breeding, she want to start showing dogs with her daughter as a hobby of sorts. A mother-daughter thing, if you will. Her mother showed a larger breed and it just seemed natural that she got involved similarly but with a breed she loved. All things sounded good. But as our conversations continued, I found myself trying to "sell" my dog to this lady. I found myself trying to convince her that he was the right dog for her to show. When I realized what I had reduced myself to, it was at that very moment that I picked up the phone and called her and told her that the dog was no longer for sale. He was staying here.

I found myself doing something someone with my purpose should never do. A sales pitch.

Eventually, this dog finished his American and International titles and he now resides in Phoenix in the home of one of my professional colleagues. He has a loving home with his new daddy and he has a brother too - another Shih Tzu with whom he plays his days away. He is happy, he is healthy, he is loved - and he is neutered.

This was a dog that was deserving of a championship title for many reasons, but in my house he was not a dog that needed to be bred. My purpose is not to breed because I can, my purpose is to breed only the best that I am able and move forward. My purpose is to give back. And this dog didn't fit into this plan.

So many people forget that even though a dog is titled, maybe that dog still isn't worthy of producing further generations in your house. So, if you won't use a particular dog to breed, is it really necessary to place that dog somewhere else with the potential to procreate? I guess that depends on who you are and who the buyer is, but again I urge you to take a trip to your local shelter before you sell something with breeding rights, especially to someone you really don't know. And how well do you really know someone with whom you've only shared a few telephone conversations and email exchanges? I can tell you that sometimes you may think you know someone because you have shared a relationship for years, but really, when it gets down to it, you don't know them at all. And do you want someone to have full access to everything you've work so hard for sitting in their living room waiting for the next lady in waiting if the price is right?

The lady that I caught myself pitching to, the one that just wanted to show for fun and not breed anything? She's got a full-blown website now with multiple brood bitches and puppy nurseries. This person is eager to share with anyone that will listen the horrors of showing dogs. Yet she promotes the multiple champions in her pedigrees. She concentrates on producing the "Imperial" Shih Tzu and offers the exotic colors of latte, mocha and chocolate. I think I fully understand her purpose.

What is your purpose?


I am pleased to present AKC Judge #5542 - Victor Joris:

- What was your first breed owned? Shown? Bred? Licensed?

The first purebred dog I bought was a fawn colored Chihuahua. It was a present for my two nieces. He lived to the ripe old age of 16. I can never remember when growing up there was not some breed of dog in the house or yard. We had at different times Am Staffs, Smooth Fox Terriers, Chihuahuas, Rat Terriers, a Beagle and years later, of course, the Shih Tzu. Currently a very smart little Rat Terrier is the house dog. I spent many years brushing coats and it was time for a polyester breed.


- Why did you originally decide to breed and/or judge Shih Tzu?

It was difficult for me to have a dog for many years as I traveled a great deal and felt it was not fair to own one. Later when traveling was not so necessary, I was lucky enough to accidentally meet the Shih Tzu at a garden party on Long Island in 1970. It was love at first sight.

I have always been fascinated by the Orient and all things Chinese from the time I saw the movie "The Daughter of Fu Man Chu", when I was about 10 years old. I devoured all of Pearl Buck's novels and any books in the library I could get my hands on concerning China. Fortunately later I was able to acquire 2 books by Princess Der Ling, Lady in Waiting to the old Dowager Empress and several more written by different authors who had spent time in close contact and with first hand knowledge of the Imperial Court in China. The fact that the Shih Tzu had Chinese heritage was a very big plus but I had already made up my mind that the breed was for me regardless of its origin.

I bought my first Shih Tzu from Reverend and Mrs. Easton of the famed
Chumulari Kennel. He was a double grandson of BIS American Canadian CH Chumulari Ying Ying ROM, the first Shih Tzu to go BIS in the US. Ying accomplished that on the first day Shih Tzu were allowed to compete for points at AKC shows, September 1, 1969. My puppy's pedigree contained all the foundation dogs and bitches of the Chumulari line. He was one of a litter of seven and actually I think it was more that we selected each other because I knew nothing about the breed, although I knew he was a special little dog (not something I would recommend now). He was bought as a pet but time proved that to be wrong. He finished his championship quickly and became a multiple BIS dog, also acquiring a Register of Merit. His registered name was CH Chumulari Chin Te Jih, translated from Chinese, Golden Sun. He was the first Shih Tzu to go BIS at Eastern in Boston defeating 2,500 dogs.

Shortly before Reverend Easton died I visited with him and Peggy in New Paltz. He presented me with all his books, research and photographs used in his and Joan Searly's book "This is the Shih Tzu". He also granted me, with AKC approval, the right to co-own the Chumulari prefix with Mrs. Easton, registered with the AKC in 1965. Mrs. Easton is well and lives in New Paltz, NY with 4 Shih Tzu. We keep in touch often.


- Give us a brief synopsis of your dogs/kennel and show "career".

I never showed my own dogs, they were shown throughout their careers by Mrs. Jane Forsyth. When Mrs. Forsyth retired, Dee Shepherd showed my Shih Tzu.

I met Mrs. Forsyth at Progressive dog Club at the old McAlpin Hotel where the Progressive Dog Show was held. Why I entered, I do not know. I knew absolutely nothing about showing a dog, but I was convinced I had a special little dog. I was ready to leave when I asked Mrs. Forsyth if she would show Sunshine. She took him and won a 4 point major at his first show. I think there were about 20 entries. The point schedule was much different at that time. From then on I took him to every show and groomed him for the ring. My dogs were never kenneled.

My first dog show was Westminster. I lived in New York City at the time and directly across town from Madison Square Garden. You could say it was a local show for me and certainly an eye opener. I have since attended 37 Westminister shows and was entered in three. Two of "Sunshine's" puppies finished there, a bitch and dog, and his grand daughter went reserve another time. The dog, Li Ning, finished the last time they allowed class entries in 1987.

I bred very few litters and almost only on bitches with Chumulari in their pedigrees. I did use "Sunshine" on several 'beautiful bitches' that were outcrosses. I have currently frozen sperm of "Sunshine" stored in Pennsylvania. It has been there for over 25 years.

My dogs lived to be quite old reaching 16,17 and 18 years. I never placed them in homes but kept them until the end. "Sunshine" and one of his daughters, CH Miss M. Monroe both lived to be almost 18 years old.

When I retired, I stopped breeding and showing except for a bitch, CH Chumulari Answered Prayers, that I had bred, who was a group winner from the classes. I then decided to apply to judge.


- Why did you decide to pursue judging?

I am interested in all breeds but am approved to judge the Toy group and 7 Non sporting breeds and BIS. I am fascinated with the history and background of all the breeds I judge including those I am not approved for.


- When judging, what is the "must have" quality you look for in a Shih Tzu?

We all know there are no perfect dogs. Each judge has their own opinion as to which fault they consider the least or the worst and the ones they can live with. Like all judges, I have my own opinions.

I prefer a Shih Tzu who is not at the extreme of either end of the standard. I want a level top line, a must for me, a good broad mouth and certainly one with a beautiful round head. I do not like white of eye showing and do not want a long giraffe neck or a square dog or one raced around the ring at break neck speed. It isn't a race. To me it's a red flag - the handler is attempting to hide incorrect movement or a fault. I like the dogs shown on a loose lead at a normal gait.


- Tell us your definition of breed type in a Shih Tzu.

Type is the most important thing I look for when breeding or judging. The word type is a very difficult word. Most people when asked about type will interpret it, rather than define it. You can ask 6 people to define type and get 7 answers. Type is what distinguishes one breed from another. It's great, when judging or breeding, if you have a Shih Tzu with superior type who also has correct conformation and temperament.


- If you could address someone just coming into the sport of dogs, specifically conformation and Shih Tzu, what advice would you give a novice?

My advice to any newcomer would be to study the breed at shows, watch the competition, ask questions and learn much as they can about the breed.

Do not buy the first dog that comes along. You would not buy a car if you could not drive so don't buy a dog you know nothing about. Keeping a Shih Tzu in show coat is a monumental task even for a seasoned breeder and almost impossible for a newcomer. Most likely as a novice, a breeder will not sell you a show quality bitch. They will keep those themselves. Later if you prove to be a dedicated owner and have proved yourself within the breed you may be able to acquire a first class bitch from a breeder eager for you to show and finish a bitch of their breeding.

The conformation ring is a very tough place for a newcomer or a long time exhibitor and regardless of the quality of your dog you will not always win. If the same dog won all the time there would be no need for shows.


- In the US, the Shih Tzu is currently in the Toy group, in Canada, Non-Sporting. There is a movement by AKC to possibly move the Shih Tzu into the Non-Sporting group in US competition. Where do you feel the Shih Tzu is a better fit and why?

I think the breed should remain in the Toy Group, but would caution many breeders that some of the dogs I have seen recently are much too large weighing closer to 17-18 pounds with to much leg. I do no consider those Toys. I prefer a smaller or middle sized Shih Tzu with good body and substance rather than a big coarse one and definitely NEVER ONE OF THOSE SO CALLED CHINESE IMPERIAL DOGS, which I consider sub-standard Shih Tzu.


- What is your feeling of the grooming techniques of today in comparison to those practiced when the Shih Tzu was first acknowledged by the AKC?

Long, flowing coats are beautiful but they have nothing to do with the conformation of the dog. It just means that someone is an excellent groomer. I do not like the muzzle shaved, it destroys the soft Oriental look the breed should have nor do I like painted eye stripes or an overblown topknot that never moves. If you want dark eye stripes breed for them. A judge could excuse you for changing the appearance of the dog by artificial means.

I think groomers have carried the art of grooming to extremes. They have created a cosmetic caricature of a beautiful, active, lively little dog with painted eye stripes, ironed coats and top knots that defy gravity all held together with mousse and spray. A clean dog, well brushed with a simple topknot is how the breed should be shown in my opinion.


- Where do you feel breeders need to concentrate and improve?

It is vitally important that the SHIH TZU HEAD NOT BE LOST. If the head is lost there is no way to retrieve it and whether you or anyone else agrees, the Shih Tzu is a "Head Breed". Of the 18 faults listed in the current AKC standard, 12 apply to the head. I think most of us who fell in love with the breed did so because of the incredible beauty of their gentle and trusting faces. Do everything possible to maintain the beautiful round head, which is the foremost breed characteristic of the Shih Tzu.


These comments are solely my own from studying the history of the breed and observations at countless shows over the last thirty-eight years. They may or may not differ from other breeders and judges. Like other judges and breeders who are still around, we were privileged to see and compete with many of the original imports and pillars of the breed.

Victor Joris