Shih Tzu

The silky Shih Tzu is sweet and playful. He's also got plenty of spunk. He's not afraid to stand up for himself, though he usually gets along nicely with strangers and other animals. The Shih Tzu seems especially to dislike hot weather. The coat of the Shih Tzu needs daily grooming.
 

Shih Tzu breed facts

The Shih Tzu is sometimes called the "chrysanthemum-faced dog" because the hair grows about the face in all directions.

Information you should know before owning a Shih Tzu

Families with small children should always supervise the children when they play with the dog, the Shih Tzu is a sturdy dog but , his size puts him at a disadvantage.

The coat requires at least a half an hours grooming per day, which should be a consideration before bringing a Shih Tzu into your home.

The Shih Tzu is a true companion. His happy, out-going and affectionate temperament coupled with his friendly and trusting nature make him a great house pet.

The exact date of origin of the Shih Tzu is not known, but evidence of its existence has come to us from documents, paintings and objets d'art dating from A. D. 624. During the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 A.D.), the King of Viqur gave the Chinese court a pair of dogs said to have come from the Fu Lin (assumed to be the Byzantine Empire). Another theory of their introduction to China was recorded in the mid-17th century when dogs were brought from Tibet to the Chinese court. These dogs were bred in the Forbidden City of Peking. The smallest of these dogs resembled a lion, as represented in Oriental art. "Shih Tzu" means "lion". The Shih Tzu is reported to be the oldest and smallest of the Tibetan holy dogs, the lion being associated with the Buddhist deity. These dogs were bred by the Chinese court and from them the dog we know today as the Shih Tzu developed. They are also called "the chrysanthemum-faced dog" because the hair grows about the face in all directions.

It is known that the Shih Tzu was a house pet during most of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 A.D.) and that they were highly favored by the royal family. Dowager Empress Cixi (T'zu Hsi) kept an important kennel of Pugs, Pekingese, and Shih Tzu. After her death in 1908 the dogs were dispersed and breeding mostly ceased. When the Communist Revolution occurred in China the breed became almost extinct. Every Shih Tzu today can be traced to fourteen dogs - seven bitches and seven dogs - some of which were imported to England where breeding of the Shih Tzu began in 1930. There the breed was first classified as "Apsos" but after a ruling by the Kennel Club (England) that Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus were separate breeds, the Shih Tzu Club of England was formed in 1935.

From England members of the breed were exported to other countries in Europe and Australia. American soldiers stationed in these countries brought the breed back to the United States thus introducing them to this country. The Shih Tzu was admitted to registration in the American Kennel Club Stud Book in March, 1969 and to regular show classification in the Toy Group at AKC shows beginning September 1, 1969.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Small
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Long
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	Every day
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does not shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Flat
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Sturdy, abundantly coated dog with distinctly arrogant carriage and chrysanthemum-like face.
	Characteristics Intelligent, active and alert.
	Temperament Friendly and independent.
	Eyes Large, dark, round, placed well apart but not prominent. Warm expression. In liver or liver-marked dogs, lighter eye colour permissible. No white of eye showing.
	Mouth Wide, slightly undershot or level. Lips level.
	Neck Well proportioned, nicely arched. Sufficient length to carry head proudly.
	Forequarters Shoulders well laid back. Legs short and muscular with ample bone, as straight as possible, consistent with broad chest being well let down.
	Body Longer between withers and root of tail than height of withers, well coupled and sturdy, chest broad and deep, shoulders firm, back level.
	Hindquarters Legs short and muscular with ample bone. Straight when viewed from the rear. Thighs well rounded and muscular. Legs looking massive on account of wealth of hair.
	Feet Rounded, firm and well padded, appearing big on account of wealth of hair.
	Tail Heavily plumed, carried gaily well over back. Set on high. Height approximately level with that of skull to give a balanced outline.
	Gait / Movement Sturdy, abundantly coated dog with distinctly arrogant carriage and chrysanthemum-like face.
	Coat Long, dense, not curly, with good undercoat. Slight wave permitted. Strongly recommended that hair on head tied up.
	Colour All colours permissible, white blaze on forehead and white tip to tail highly desirable in parti-colours.
	Size Height at withers not more than 27 cms (101/2 ins), type and breed characteristics of the utmost importance and on no account to be sacrificed to size alone. Weight: 4.5-8 kgs (10-18 lbs). Ideal weight 4.5-7.5 kgs (10-16 lbs).