Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu
A Shih Tzu in full show coat. Most pet Shih Tzus are kept with shorter fur.
Other names	Chinese Lion Dog Chrysanthemum Dog
Origin	China
Kennel club standards Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The Shih Tzu (simplified Chinese: 狮子狗; traditional Chinese: 獅子狗; pinyin: Shīzi Gǒu; Wade–Giles: Shih-tzu Kou; lit. 'Lion Dog'), in English pronounced /'ʃi·tsu/ ("shee tzoo"), is a dog breed which originated in China. The name is both singular and plural. The spelling "Shih Tzu", most commonly used for the breed, is according to the Wade-Giles system of romanization. The Shih Tzu is reported to be the oldest and smallest of the Tibetan holy dogs, its vaguely lion-like look being associated with the Snowlion. It is also often known as the "Xi Shi quan" (西施犬), based on the name of Xi Shi, regarded as the most beautiful woman of ancient China.

History

The Shih Tzu has been around for a long time. The Shih Tzu was bred to bark when people or animals approached the palace of the Emperor of China: this is allegedly to alert people to the presence of unwanted visitors. It is believed that this ornamental breed was created by breeding the Bei-jing gou (Pekingese) with a Tibetan dog breed, the Lhasa Apso. Recent DNA analysis confirms that this is one of the oldest breeds of dog. The Shih Tzu is also known as the Chinese/Tibetan Lion Dog or the Chrysanthemum Dog. It is called the chrysanthemum dog because its face looks very much like the flower.

Professor Ludvic von Schulmuth studied canine origins by studying the skeletal remains of dogs found in human settlements as long as ten thousand years ago. The Professor created a genealogical tree of Tibetan dogs that shows the "Gobi Desert Kitchen Midden Dog", a scavenger, evolved into the "Small Soft-Coated Drop-Eared Hunting Dog". From this dog evolved the Tibetan Spaniel, Pekingese, and Japanese Chin. Another branch coming down from the "Kitchen Midden Dog" gave rise to the Papillon and Long-haired Chihuahua and yet another "Kitchen Midden Dog" branch to the Pug and Shih Tzu.

James E. Mumford described the breed in an American Shih Tzu magazine, giving a picture of the versatile character of the Shih Tzu: "Nobody knows how the Ancient Eunuchs managed to mix together…And now here comes the recipe: A dash of lion, several teaspoons of rabbit, a couple of ounces of domestic cat, one part court jester, a dash of ballerina, a pinch of old man (Chinese), a bit of beggar, a tablespoon of monkey, one part baby seal, a dash of teddy bear and the rest dogs of Tibetan and Chinese origin." [1]

• Shih Tzu with short hair
  Shih Tzu with short hair

Appearance

The Shih Tzu is characterized by its long, flowing double coat; sturdy build; intelligence; and a friendly, energetic, lively attitude. In breeding all coat colors are allowed. The Shih Tzu's hair can be styled either in a short summer cut, or kept long as is compulsory for conformation shows. Shih Tzu do not have fur like many other breeds; they have hair similar to a human's. Instead of shedding, Shih Tzu lose hair gradually, much like humans lose hair in the shower or while grooming.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) Shih Tzu breed standard calls for the dog to have a short snout, large eyes, and a palm-like tail that waves above its torso. The ideal Shih Tzu to some is height at withers 9 to 10 1/2 inches. The dog should stand no less than 8 inches and not more than 11 inches tall. The Shih Tzu should never be so high stationed as to appear leggy, nor so low stationed as to appear dumpy or squatty. Regardless of size or gender, the Shih Tzu should always be solid and compact, and carry good weight and substance for its size range.

Breed variations

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the American Shih Tzu Club (ASTC) defines the Shih Tzu as a dog that weighs between 9 to 16 pounds as the official breed standard. Descriptions like "imperial", "teacup", "tiny teacup" are used, but dogs that fit such descriptions are often an undersized or underdeveloped Shih Tzu. Both the AKC and ASTC consider these variances to not be in conformity with the official breed standard. These tiny variances are also not what was defined as a standard by the Chinese imperial palace or by the professional circuit. Breeders who deal in designer dogs are not eligible for membership in some clubs. For example, the American Shih Tzu Club, the official guardian of the Shih Tzu breed standard, denies membership to such breeders. [2]

Life span and health issues

The life span of a Shih Tzu is 11-14 years, although some variation from this range is possible. Some health issues common among the breed are portosystemic liver shunt, renal dysplasia, and hip dysplasia- in Standard sizes.. In addition, they also can suffer from various eye problems. Shih Tzus (and many other breeds) may present signs of allergies to red dye #40, and owners should respond to scratching in the absence of fleas by eliminating pet foods that contain this commonly used additive.

Care

A Shih Tzu puppy

The Shih Tzu can require more care than some other breeds if the hair is kept at show length; they will need daily brushing to avoid tangles. A short haircut, also known as a pet trim or puppy cut, can make this a task taking place every month or so as needed instead of daily. They will also need regular haircuts. The upside is that they will generally shed very little. Since the breed is obviously adapted to a cool climate, letting the coat grow out somewhat for the colder seasons is appropriate, but there is still a substantial difference from a floor-length show coat and a warmer winter coat.

Shih Tzu are considered to be brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs. As such, they are very sensitive to high temperatures. This is why many airlines that ship dogs will not accept them for shipment when temperatures at any point on the planned itinerary exceeds 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24°C) [3]. Because Shih Tzu snouts are small and flat, eating contributes to an unclean face. Once finished eating, wiping their face with a damp paper towel cleans them right up. This is another area where the haircut matters: a proper show cut will get more messy (often even requiring the hair to be rubber-banded together for eating efficiently) than other ways of cutting the facial hair.

When they are drinking, it is sometimes necessary to keep on eye on them, for water can enter their face-level noses more easily and inhibit breathing. This is why many shih tzu are trained to drink from a licker like a hamster or gerbil. The area around the eyes should be checked each day for mucus buildup and cleaned when needed. Providing the Shih Tzu with bottled water (or water that does not contain chlorine) helps to keep eye mucus to a minimum. Additionally, their claws will need to be clipped every month or so.

Unlike bigger dogs like Golden Retrievers and Labradors, Shih Tzu do not need or want as much intentional exercise. They will often get all the activity they need running around the house, not needing to be walked to stay in good health. However, most Shih Tzu still enjoy exercising outdoors. When exercised regularly, they can build up some stamina, but their owners must remember that they have quite short legs; a Shih Tzu’s measure of a long walk is much shorter than other dogs. It's also good to remember that a Shih Tzu's size is not as intimidating to predators as larger dogs.

Mixed Breeds

Shih Tzus are sometimes cross-bred with other toy dogs. One of the more commonly known mixed breeds of Shih Tzus are the Shih Poo. The Shih Poo is a cross breed of a Shih Tzu and a toy Poodle. The "Zuchon" or "Shichon" is a mix between a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frisé There are many other mixed breeds that include the Shih Tzu.

External links

• Shih Tzu Club (UK)
• Shih Tzu News UK
• American Shih Tzu Club
• Shih Tzu Rescue
• Canadian Shih Tzu Club
• International Shih Tzu Club
• AKC Shih Tzu Breed Standard
• CKC Shih Tzu Breed Standard
• UK Kennel Club Shih Tzu Breed Standard