Just What Exactly Is A Shih Tzu?

The Shih Tzu has long been prized solely as a companion. The
Shih Tzu’s temperament is of the utmost importance. It is the
Shih Tzu’s unique head and expression that actually
distinguishes the breed from two other related Oriental breeds,
the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese.

Shih Tzu are alert, arrogant, full of playful antics, and
affectionate. Dog show judging is based on how closely each Shih
Tzu entered approaches the ideal picture described in the breed
standard.

Much of the Shih Tzu breed standard is devoted to the head. A
correct head and expression should be round, warm and soft. The
head of a correct Shih Tzu is large and round when viewed from
the side. The ears look like they blend in with the head. The
Shih Tzu’s topknot should be placed fairly low on the forehead
in a double band to keep the hair from falling forward into the
Shih Tzu’s eyes.

The eyes of a Shih Tzu should be round, large and dark. A small
amount of eye white is acceptable. Excessive eye white in the
corners of the eye or around the entire eye detract from the
desired warm, sweet expression. Lack of good dark pigmentation
on the nose, lips or eye rims also distracts from the desired
warm, sweet expression. The eyes should be placed well apart.

The muzzle is short, square and unwrinkled. This is unlike the
longer, narrower muzzle of the Lhasa Apso or the extremely
short, wrinkled muzzle of the Pekingese. The jaw is undershot,
which means the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw. The
teeth should not show when the mouth is closed. The lower lip
should not protrude when viewed from the side.

The Shih Tzu should move smoothly, flowingly and effortlessly.
One common problem area in the Shih Tzu is poor fronts. Front
and rear angulations should be in balance for smooth movement
with a good front reach and a strong rear movement.

The Chinese said the Lion Dog should have dragon eyes, a lion
head, a bear torso, a frog mouth, palm-leaf fan ears, a
feather-duster tail and movement like a goldfish. Lion Dogs
(Shih Tzu) appear not only in Chinese art, but also in the art
of Tibet, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.

The first imports of Shih Tzu to the United States came from
England. These very early imports were noted to be “quite
large.” In 1955, Shih Tzu were admitted by the AKC to the
Miscellaneous Class (the breed is now in the Toy Group). At this
time the Shih Tzu breed began to gain greater popularity. In
1998, 38,468 Shih Tzu were registered with the American Kennel
Club, ranking the Shih Tzu eleventh of all registered breeds.

Famous owners of the Shih Tzu have been: Zsa Zsa Gabor, Yul
Brynner, Elizabeth, Queen Consort of George VI.