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The site was last updated on

24 Aug 2000

Dog of the Week

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Name of breed: Shih Tzu
Class: Non-sporting
Recognized: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI, KC(GB), KUSA.
Size: Height at withers: 22.5-26.5cm (9-10.5in).
Weight: 4.1-8.1kg (9-18lb)
Coat: Long, dense, not curly, with a good undercoat.
Colors: All colors permissible; white blaze on forehead and white tips on tail highly desirable in parti-colors. 

The Shih Tzu, whose Chinese name means "lion dog", is generally thought to have originated in western China. It resemble Lhasa Apso except for its shortened face, and could be the result of crossing the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese. Certainly, it was practice of the Dalai Lama of Tibet to give prize specimens of the Lhasa Apso to visiting gidnitaries from foreign lands, including those from China.
An early standard for the breed was written by the Peking Kennel Club, called the most flowery ever issued, reads: "should have lion head, bear torso, camel hoof, feather-duster tail, palm-leaf ears, rice teeth, pearly petal tongue and movement like a goldfish"!
The breed was first imported to England in 1930, but was not granted a breed register by the Kennel Club until 1946. The Shih Tzu was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969, and is now popular as a pet and as a dog show on both sides of the Atlantic.

Character and care

This happy, hardy little dog loves children and other animals and makes a good housepet suite to town or country living. It requires a good daily grooming using a bristle brush, and the topknot is usually tied with a bow.

Shih Tzu

 

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