The Shih Tzu originated from an ancient cross between the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese. It is poetically described as having a patchwork of features stemming from animals and objects as different and surprising as a dragon (eyes), a lion (head), a frog (mouth), an owl (face), grains of rice (teeth), palm-leaves (ears), a peony petal (tongue) and a goldfish (mouvement).
Originally referred to as the Lhasa Lion Dog, to distinguish it from the Chinese Lion Dog (the Pekingese), the Shih Tzu appeared around the 17th century in the Chinese Imperial Palace as the descendent from the royal Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso.
It was not before the 1930s that the first Shih Tzu appeared in the West. A black-and-white pair called Hibo and Shu Ssa arrived in England in 1930 and a trio reached Norway in the 1932.
The Shih Tzu Club of England was formed in 1934 and the breed was officially recognized in the UK in the 1940s. Soon interest in the breed also developed in Scandinavia, Austria and other European countries. It was not before the 1960s that the breed reached the US and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969.
Character and Temperament
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Originally, golden-yellow was the favorite coat color, but other colors were permitted as well: solid yellow (Chin Chia Huang Pao), yellow dogs with a white mane (Chin Pan To Yueh), black-and-white dogs (Wu Yun Kai Hsueh), solid black dogs (Yi Ting Mo) and multi-colored dogs (Hua Tse). Today all coat colors are permitted.
Although the Shih Tzu is very similar to the Lhasa Apso it is different in temperament. It is less aloof than its Tibetan ascendent and more playful.
Lion-Dog Shih Tzu statue guarding a Tibetan temple
Shih Tzu 15 months old with
tradtional coat called for by the standard
An attractive and less time-consuming alternative to the traditional coat is the short terrier-like trim favored by many Shih Tzu owners
Dogs that are in top condition have dense, flowing double caots that sweep the ground and are almost without any curl.
The Shih Tzu has an extrovert and dignified personality and a vivacious and confident character. This breed will adapt to any family situation.
