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THE SHIH TZU
A Shih Tzu (pronounced sheed zu) is a big dog in a little package.
Though small enough to live happily in a city apartment, it is sturdy and even-tempered, with few health problems. It
loves people and other dogs of all shapes and sizes, and is definitely not a watchdog. Many Shih Tzu almost never bark
and would happily give a burglar a guided tour! This is an easy breed to spoil. Shih Tzu are very good at letting
you know what they want, and if you're not careful you'll find that they train you instead of the other way around.
If you want to romp, they're ready to go. If you want to rest, they'll curl up quietly next to you. We often joke
that Shih Tzu are lilke potato chips- once you have one, you always want more.
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THE HISTORY OF THE SHIH TZU
The ancestry of the Shih Tzu is rather obscure, but it is probable that the breed
is primarily of Tibetan origin. The hisory of the Tibetan "lion dogs" is interwoven with the tenets of Buddhism.
In the Buddhist religion, which originated in India, the lion was sacred. However, because there were no lions in China,
when Buddhism traveled East, the Chinese eunuchs and Tibetan monks bred their dogs to resemble lions. The mythical "lion
dogs", also known as "Foo dogs", were depicted in imperial scrolls and guarded temples and palaces. The Shih Tzu were
among the breeds known as "lion dogs" that came to be associated with Buddhism in China. The name Shih Tzu means "lion"
in Chinese.
DEVELOPEMENT AS A BREED
The existence of the Shih Tzu as we know it today is owed to the Dowager Empress
Cixi (T' zi Hsi), whose kennel of dogs was world renowned. After Cixi's death in 1908, the kennels were dispersed and
palace breeding became haphazard. So far as is known, the breed became extinct in China after the Communist
Revolution of 1949. China's new leaders considered the keeping of pet dogs, especially those identified with the former
royal court, a corrupt symbol of wealth.
OUR MODERN SHIH TZU
Fortunately for us, a number of Shih Tzu had been brought home by diplomats stationed
in China. The gene pool record of all existing Shih Tzu can be traced to seven dogs and seven bitches.
A Pekingese dog used in a known cross in 1952 caused considerable trouble, and was done by a newcomer to the breed.
The descendants of this cross were not registered as purebred Shih Tzu in England until they had been bred back to purebred
Shih Tzu for four genereations. In the United States, the American Kennel Club required six generations.
From this small gene pool, we now have our modern Shih Tzu which was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in
1969, and is now one of the top ten most popular breeds in the United States. The breed can also be found in Canada,
Europe, Austrailia, South Africa, Latin America, and many countries of Asia, including China.
THE SHIH TZU STANDARD
BEFORE YOU BUY A SHIH TZU
Please do not purchase a puppy from a pet store, or from a kennel selling several different breeds (puppy mill).
I highly recommend reading the articles found on the American Shih Tzu Club's website before purchasing a
dog or puppy. Notice the topics under the heading "Before You Get a Dog", and take the time to review these.
BEFORE YOU GET A DOG:
IN CONCLUSION
The Shih tzu is an amazing and fun little dog who is a good sport to do almost
anything. They have great fun doing agility, and can compete successfully in both obedience or rally. Although
they are a toy dog, they enjoy going camping, for rides in the car, or to visit family and friends. Because of their
small size and the fact that they do not shed, they are easier than many other breeds to travel with. When the Male Shih Tzu or Female Shih Tzu Training is done properly, the breed makes the perfect family pet. They love everyone they meet and are not "yappy",
making them the perfect pet for a wide variety of families. Care must always be given, however, to be mindful of the
fact that they are heat sensitive. So regardless of why you are choosing the little Chinese "lion dog", your life will
be enriched in ways you can't even imagine.
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