Shih Tzu dogs originated in China.
The name "Shih Tzu" means lion, and comes from the idea of trying to create a dog that resembled a lion. The Shih Tzu breed became the smallest of the Tibetan lion dogs. The American Kennel Club first recognized the Shih Tzu in 1969, and now the breed is part of the toy group.
History
The Shih Tzu breed was developed in Tibet by crossing Lhasa Apso dogs, Tibetan mountain dogs and Pekingese dogs. There are Chinese records of the breed from at least 1,000 B.C. The breed became a pet for Chinese royals, especially the Ming Dynasty. The Dowager Empress T'su Hsi developed the modern type of Shih Tzu dog in the late 1800s until 1908. The breed was first brought to the United States in the 1940s and 1950s.
Appearance
The breed standard recognized by the American Kennel Club allows registration for all possible colors for Shih Tzu dogs. Also, blue-colored dogs may also have blue eyes. The Shih Tzu's natural coat is double and long. The Shih Tzu carries his head up and tail curves over the dog's back. The ideal Shih Tzu is between nine and 10.5 inches at the top of the shoulders, but most fall between eight and 11 inches in height. The American Kennel Club describes the breed as "compact."
Temperament
The most important trait of the Shih Tzu is that the breed is a companion dog. As such, each Shih Tzu's personality should be good for companionship. Most Shih Tzu dogs are open to meeting strangers and want to be with people.
Health
Shih Tzu dogs are prone to problems in the incisors, such as overcrowding or missing incisors. An undershot muzzle, where the bottom jaw does not stick out as far as the upper jaw, is common in the breed. Another common problem in Shih Tzu dogs is what is called umbilical hernias, where a small amount of fat sticks out of the naval. These hernias can go away during the dog's life, or you can have your veterinarian take care of it during the spay or neuter procedure. Shih Tzu dogs are also prone to reverse sneezing, a honking sound where the dog can't catch his breath. This is not a serious problem, and usually stops fairly quickly.
Grooming
The Shih Tzu is prone to face stain, where eye tears discolor the hair on the sides of the muzzle. This may be caused by blocked tear ducts, coloring in your dog's food or dry eye. You will need to brush a Shih Tzu daily due to the long hair, or have your dog clipped in a puppy cut to keep the hair shorter. The American Shih Tzu Club also recommends you bathe your Shih Tzu every three to four weeks, and comb out the hair on top of the head and under the muzzle daily.
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