Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a small companion dog. It is an ancient breed and originated either in Tibet or China a question that has never been settled. The breed is sometimes called the "Tibetan Lion Dog."� It is currently one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. The Shih Tzu is recognized at dog shows for its long flowing coat and proud carriage, its hair often bound over the eyes with a ribbon. It is often carried either seated on a cushion or in its handler's arms at ringside, to prevent its long coat from picking up dirt from the floor. The coat may be seen in any color, although most common is white background with another color, and a large white splash on the forehead. As with most of the companion dogs of Tibet and China, the Shih Tzu is a brachycephalic (flat-nosed) breed. It is compact and sturdy, and stands about 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder. It has short, stocky legs and a long back. The Shih Tzu's eyes are wide-set, round and very large. The ears are dainty and heavily feathered. The tail is also heavily feathered and is carried high and curled over the back. From the time the monasteries in Tibet have existed, the monks have kept several dog breeds as companions. The Shih Tzu type dog is believed to have originated as one of these "holy"� breeds, and is in fact believed to have been the smallest and most likely the oldest. Although there is no way to know for sure how old the present form of the breed actually is, we do know from recent DNA research that its immediate ancestors were domesticated thousands of years ago. The first real documentation of the Shih Tzu comes to us from the 7th century AD, when the breed shows up in sculpture and paintings. We also know that a pair of dogs described as the Shih Tzu type were given as a gift to the Chinese Imperial Court during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD). The Shih Tzu type dog was already a popular house pet in Tibet and China by the time of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD). In the 17th century the monks of Tibet sent another gift of dogs to the Chinese court. The Chinese dubbed these dogs Tibetan "Shih Tzu Kou"� meaning "the lion dog"�. From that time the dogs were bred in the Forbidden City itself and the modern breed was firmly established. At the turn of the 20th century, the Chinese Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi (Cixi) kept a renowned kennel of dogs. She had made a hobby of breeding the best specimens of her favorite breeds Pekingese and Pug. In 1907 the Dalai Lama himself sent her some Shih Tzu as a gift. She was enchanted and added the dogs to her breeding program, further defining and improving the breed. But after her death in 1908 her kennels were dispersed. When the Chinese Revolution began in 1912 all breeding ceased, and many of the royal dogs were slaughtered. The Shih Tzu first arrived in Europe in 1930, when it came to Norway and to England. An English noblewoman, Lady Brownrigg, had discovered some of the dogs left in Peking, and had them brought out of China. A breeding program began immediately in England, where the breed was at first classified as a Lhasa Apso. The Shih Tzu Club in England was formed by 1935 and a standard was written for the breed; the Kennel Club recognized the Shih Tzu as a distinct breed that same year. The Shih Tzu arrived in the United States with WWII servicemen who had become enamored of the breed while serving in England. It is interesting that these early arrivals to U.S. shores were also classified as and crossbred with, Lhasa Apsos. The American Kennel Club requires that a breed shows six pure generations after any outcross, and so the AKC did not recognize the Shih Tzu as a pure and distinct breed until as late as 1969. The Shih Tzu is prone to several health issues. The immense popularity of the breed in recent years has resulted in over breeding by backyard breeders and puppy mills. The prospective owner should take great care in acquiring a Shih Tzu to ensure that the dog is bred from dogs that have been thoroughly genetically tested. Recent trendy designer variations often bred in puppy mills like the "Shih Poo"�, a cross between Poodle and Shih Tzu, are not only poorly bred but such crosses can be detrimental to the inherent health of a breed. Some Shih Tzus present with disorders such as hip dysplasia, liver shunt, or faces that are so brachycephalic that serious ongoing respiratory issues are present. The coat of the Shih Tzu needs regular clipping and daily brushing to prevent the formation of mats and collection of dirt and debris. Many household pets are kept in simple "puppy cut"� coat, which is much shorter and less apt to tangle and mat. The Shih Tzu often needs its eyes washed free of mucus, and its mouth wiped clean after eating. Most owners teach their Shih Tzus to drink from a bottle such as those used for guinea pigs, since drinking from a dish wets the face of this dog and encourages yeast infections on the chin. The Shih Tzu is a dog that is very proud and rather arrogant. This breed expects to be the center of the world. This attitude is part of its charm. It is also a very intelligent dog, and can be trained to have good manners. The well-trained Shih Tzu is sweet and affectionate and very friendly. It will tolerate other dogs and cats well. This breed is not recommended for homes with young children, since the Shih Tzu can tend to compete for the owner's affection and may become jealous and snappish with youngsters. Older children will enjoy this breed, and may especially like assisting in caring for the coat.

Back to iAnimals.com home page Copyright Notice: This website is © . All Rights Reserved.  Click Here to contact us. Link Partners: Animals Go to Heaven | Adopt Me | Salt And Pepper | Singing Animals | Animal Noises