The popular Shih Tzu breed has rich origins in royal Chinese history. Today’s Shih Tzu descends from dogs bred by Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi of Tibet, who rose to power in 1861 and died in 1908.

The Empress bred her dogs for traits like loyalty, good disposition, and perfect facial features. She gave Shih Tzu puppies as gifts to Chinese nobility and foreign diplomats. Tragically, when the Empress died, her successor resented the dogs and the era they represented, and many dogs were killed.

Information about Shih Tzu survivors indicates that the dogs began to appear in England and Scandinavia during the late 1920s and early 1930s, spreading in later years to the United States and Canada. Some of the dogs immigrated to North America after World War II, when soldiers who had developed a fondness for their Shih Tzu pets brought the little dogs home with them after the war.
The Shih Tzu is a small, lightweight dog, weighing from nine to sixteen pounds. Its size makes it well suited as a lap dog and a pet for city dwellers. The dogs have been bred for centuries to provide human amusement and companionship. They are eager to please and thrive when they are the center of attention.

Sometimes known as the “Tibetan lion dog” or “chrysanthemum dog” because of their regal bearing and wrinkled faces. Shih Tzu dogs have flat faces, bulging eyes, bowed front legs, and fierce facial expressions.

The Shih Tzu’s long, wavy coat adds elegance to its appearance. Acceptable colors for the breed’s coat are solid gold or black, or a variety of multi-colored combinations. Diligent daily grooming is required to keep the coat from tangling and matting, but the results are well worth the effort, as the Shih Tzu’s coat is a hallmark of the breed.
Although the history of the breed is ancient, theShih Tzu breed is a relative newcomer to the world of dog shows, particularly in North America. The British Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1935, but the American Kennel Club waited until 1969 to officially acknowledge the dogs, placing them in the toy group with other diminutive long-haired dogs like the Maltese, the Pomeranian, and the Pekinese.

The Shih Tzu breed makes an excellent pet for singles, couples, and families alike. However, because being the center of attention is so important to this dog, families with infants may want to wait until the children are a little older before purchasing a Shih Tzu to avoid any problems with jealousy that may develop. In general, the dog was bred to be a good-natured, friendly companion, and will gladly befriend the children in any family that offers it a home.

The breed is extremely popular, placing ninth on the American Kennel Club’s 2006 rankings of breed popularity. With its regal history, its pleasant disposition and its convenient small size, the popularity of the Shih Tzu is certain to increase in the twenty-first century.

TheShih Tzu, or Tibetan Lion Dog, is small in stature, but a giant in personality. Its long hair requires diligent grooming, but this dog is well worth the effort. Those interested inShih Tzu information should consult a local breeder or conduct research at the library or online.