The site was last updated on
24 Aug 2000
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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.
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