The ancestry of the Shih Tzu dates back to 1000 B.C. descending from Tibetan origin. Thay came to China during the Manchu Dynasty as tributes from Tibet or as gifts from the Grand Lama’s to the Imperial Court in Peking.
The original name for the dogs in China was Tibetan, always referred to as the ‘Lion’ or shih-tze kou.”(Kou means Dog, Shih-Tze, or Shih Tzu means Lion.) The breeding of the small “Lion Dog” was a favorite pastime of succeeding imperial rulers. These dogs were bred and cared for by the eunuchs. The larger puppies were sometimes given away to Europeans, but it is reported that before they were presented they were fed a meal containing ground glass so none of them survived to be taken to Europe.
In 1933 a Shih Tzu was presented to the Duchess of York (the Queen Mother). Later the Royal family acquired his grandson, named “Choo-Choo”, he was referred to by King George VI as “the animated dish cloth” or “the hairy monster”.
During the 1920′s the first pair of Shih Tzu (pronounced Shid Zoo), was brought to England, where it was initially classed as an “Apso”. In 1934 the Tibetan Breeds Association ruled that the dogs from China were not Apsos. After consultation with the Chairman of the Kennel Club the name Shih Tzu was selected.
The Shih Tzu’s popularity spread to Continental Europe and to North America. Where it is classified in the Toy group in the United States and is in the Non-Sporting Group in Canada. This is an elegant, long-coated breed, measuring about nine to eleven inches at the shoulder. All colours are acceptable, but lack of black noses, lips and eye rims are a disqualification, except in a liver coloured dog where a liver nose is acceptable.
As a Shih Tzu does not shed, daily brushing is necessary to prevent matting… The breed is alert, lively, enjoys a good walk and it’s gait should be “like a ship in full sail”. A Shih Tzu loves people which can be it’s downfall, because although it is loyal to it’s owner it will snuggle up to any visitor and if he inadvertently gets lost, it will take it no time at all to bond with a new friend as he loves human companionship. Because the Shih Tzu is so quiet it makes an excellent pet for apartment dwellers.
