What does the terminology "up to size" mean in a show critique.  Does it mean too big, and if it does why do judges not say too big.  Very confusing.

As far as I know it means correct size - not too small.

In my experience it can also be a tactful way of saying too big- over ideal standard size. Remember some standards simply state a height, weight and so on. Others give an ideal height. And yes,it is confusing but the show world involves a lot of politics too, so you have to learn to read between the lines a bit.

I'd read it as meaning right at the top of breed standard

> In my experience it can also be a tactful way of saying too big- over ideal standard size.

Maybe but on the other hand it may mean within the standard if the breed tends to be on the small side.  I suppose you have to know the context in which it was written or it could mean as Ridgelover has it.

>I'd read it as meaning right at the top of breed standard

Ditto - I'd take it to mean within standard but the judge wouldn't want the dog any bigger.

M.

A polite and tactful way of saying BIG in my experience.

In toy dogs and ones where the height is somewhat critical ( to remain toy or minature ) those pushing those limits are often refered to as 'up to size'....... or "wouldnt want to see him any bigger" :-)

Stooge and Ridgielover,
Yes, I think it can mean all of these and where it gets political is if for some one inch over 'ideal' height as per standard is up to size while for another two inches or even three inches is. I have seen up to size qualified with 'would not want any bigger'.

To me also, up to size, means right at the top scale of the breed standard.

Yes, I agree but the point I am making is that where the standard stipulates an 'ideal' height, there are often differing views about where that cutoff point is.

I'd say it's a polite way of saying 'right up at the top end of the breed standard, wouldn't want it any bigger'.

Yes , as others have said, up at the top of the standard and wouldn't want to be any bigger.

In my opinion it means over breed standard size...if it was within the height, it would say correct size or similar....

TOP END OF THE STANDARD FOR ME.

OMG, hope this one does not grow any more.

Think the amount of leeway accepted above or below the standard depends a lot on the breed, the smaller breeds finding it more difficult to accept the oversize and the medium do not like the under-size but size is like everything else in the standard and an otherwise excellent example should be placed above a mediocre no matter if it is little over or under size.

Agree, often applied to pups that are already adult size.