Shih tzu

Shih Tzu is traditionally considered a Chinese dog. One of the birthplace of Shih Tzu is Tibet . In 1653, the Tibetan Dalai Lama presented the Chinese Emperor with several Shih Tzu dogs, which turned the Shih Tzu into a forbidden breed belonging exclusively to the imperial family. As a gift, the emperor sometimes gave the highest-ranking officials Shih Tzu. If the Shih Tzu got to people illegally, then these people were executed. According to some documents, it is believed that Shih Tzu came to Tibet from Byzantium at the beginning of the 7th century , that is, the breed has European roots. The exact origin of the Shih Tzu has not been clarified.

Shih Tzu returned to Europe thanks to the Norwegian ambassador to China in the late 1930s , who received a Shih Tzu female named Leyza as a gift. In order to obtain offspring, he used his connections and acquired a couple of shih tzu dogs. Returning to his homeland, he began breeding a breed unknown to anyone in Europe. There is also a legend that Buddha was accompanied by a small dog (the so-called “ha-pa”), ready at any moment to turn into a huge lion to protect the owner or so that Buddha would ride her. It is believed that the dog was just Shih Tzu.

The first Shih Tzu club was created in the UK in 1933 , and the first modern standard was developed in 1948 .

According to various hypotheses and genetic studies, it is assumed that Shih Tzu was obtained by crossing breeds of Lhasa Apso and Pekingese . There are also other hypotheses, but none are considered reliable. In particular, according to genetic studies , it is considered one of the oldest breeds on earth. Shih Tzu is translated from Chinese as a lion , because they are usually called a lion dog. They are also called chrysanthemum dogs because the hair on their muzzle resembles a chrysanthemum flower.

Shih Tzu is a small shaggy dog ​​with long hair. Along with the Maltese lapdog and the Afghan hound , Shih Tzu has the longest hair relative to body size.

Shih tzu are usually multi-colored, combinations of white, brown and black, sometimes red, predominate. Very rarely there are almost completely black individuals. Sometimes you can find white Shih Tzu with an admixture of vanilla color (the brightest Shih Tzu), an inexperienced person can confuse them with Maltese lapdogs.

Color: white-red, white-gold, white-red-haired in a mask, red-haired in a mask, black-and-white, white-black, black, black and tan, white-blue, blue, tiger, white, cream, gray, brown ("liver").

Shih Tzu dogs, despite their extremely beautiful, toy and decorative appearance, are not decorative dogs. Shih Tzu is a companion dog with an unusual character. Shih Tzu at home often does not have a pronounced owner, they share love between all members of the family. Shih Tzu do not like loneliness and relentlessly follow their masters wherever they go. Even asleep, with any movement of the owner, the Shih Tzu are not lazy to wake up, stand up and follow their master. Thanks to their affection for people, Shih Tzu are ideal companions for the elderly and single people.

Shih Tzu is strongly attached to people, in life they pay more attention and show more interest in people than in dogs. They also love children very much.

Shih Tzu are strong dogs, have a strong physique and can move a lot of weight in accordance with their physique, especially if we compare their strength indicators with dogs of similar sizes. Despite their strength, they are not guard dogs because of their small size and affectionate and friendly nature.

Puppies and young shih tzu are good companions for the youngest children because they perceive them as their own kind and tend to play with them. Shih tzu can be domestic dogs and not walk on the street, which is important given that, in adulthood, their long hair can cause them and their owners considerable trouble and problems. Shih Tzu can be trained and can handle the need for a tray. Although Shih Tzu is often considered silent dogs, they bark loudly, sometimes from an early age. When the owner leaves them alone at home, the departure of the owner is usually accompanied by a few minutes whining and crying, but do not bark. Shih Tzu is very playful and able to run and play with the owner for a long time, although there are more calm individuals.

General view: A sturdy, luxuriously dressed dog with an arrogant expression and a muzzle resembling a chrysanthemum.

Important proportions: The distance between the withers and the base of the tail is greater than the height at the withers.

Behavior: Smart, active and attentive. Friendly and independent dog. Very gentle and lazy.

Head: Large, round, wide, widely spaced eyes. On the head there is a pile of wool, a long beard and mustache, on the nose - wool growing upwards, which creates the effect of chrysanthemum. Doesn't stop the dog from seeing.

Transition from forehead to muzzle : Pronounced.

Nose: Black but dark brown in brown and brown-spotted dogs. The tip of the nose should be in line with or slightly below the edge of the lower eyelid . The back of the nose is straight or slightly snub-nosed. Wide open nostrils. A lowered nose is highly undesirable, as are narrowed nostrils.

Muzzle: Fairly wide, square, short, without wrinkles, flat and covered with hair. Length - about 2.5 cm from the tip of the nose to the foot. Pigmentation of the muzzle as continuous as possible.

Lips: Not moist.

Jaws / Teeth: The jaws are wide, a small bite or a direct bite (tick bite, edge to edge).

Eyes: Large, dark, rounded, not convex, widely spaced. With a warm expression. In brown or brown-spotted dogs, lighter eyes are acceptable. The whites of the eyes are not visible (not always).

Ears: Large, with a long earloop, hanging. Set slightly below the crown, abundantly covered with decorating hair, so that merge with the wool on the neck.

Neck: Proportional, beautifully curved. Of sufficient length to proudly hold his head.

Body: The distance between the withers and the base of the tail is greater than the height at the withers.

Back: Straight, flowing smoothly to the tail.

Loin: Good grip, sturdy.

Chest: Broad and deep and well lowered.

Tail: Luxuriously dressed, holds cheerfully, being turned on his back. High set. In height, approximately at the level of the skull, which gives the dog balance.

Shoulders: Strong, inclined back.

Forearm: Legs are short and muscular with good bones, straight as far as possible, consistent with a wide, well-lowered chest.

Forefeet: Rounded, durable and richly covered with wool.

General view: Legs are short and muscular with good bones. Direct when viewed from the rear.

Hips: Rounded and muscular.

Hind feet: Rounded, strong, with good pads. Abundantly covered with wool.

Movement: Arrogant, smooth, front legs with a good forward forward, a strong push of the hind legs, paw pads are fully visible.

Structure: The integumentary hair is long, dense, not curly, with moderate undercoat, not fluffy. Light wave allowed. The coat does not prevent the dog from seeing. The length of the coat should not restrict movement.

Color: Any colors are allowed, a white mark on the forehead and a white tail tip in spotted colors are very desirable. There is also a white fur on the beard called “Buddha Mark”.

Size and weight: Height at the withers: not more than 27 cm. The type and characteristics of the breed are the most important and should not be sacrificed for size. Weight: from 4.5 to 8 kg. Ideal weight - 4.5-7.5 kg.

Disadvantages: Any deviation from the above points should be considered as a defect and punished in proportion to the severity and impact on the health and well-being of the dog.

Disqualifying Defects :

• Aggressiveness or cowardice.
• Any dog ​​with physical or mental abnormalities must be disqualified.

Note: Males should have two developed testes fully descended into the scrotum.

• Shih Tzu // The Dog Collection: Journal. - M .: LLC “GM Fabry Editions”. - No. 5 .

• National Russian Club Shih Tzu
• site of the first British Shih Tzu Club, founded in 1933
• History of Shih Tzu, breed standard