The Shih Tzu – A Delightful Dog

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.

The Shih Tzu breed has been recognized by the British Kennel Club since 1935 and by the American Kennel Club since 1969, and is a popular favorite at dog shows with its long, flowing coat. Shih Tzus show in the Toy Group, competing against dogs like the Maltese, the Pomeranian, and the Shih Tzu's cousin, the Pekinese.



The breed is a good family dog, but its strong desire for attention from its master makes it a better choice for families with older children than families with infants. Some Shih Tzus have been known to develop problems with jealousy when living in a home with young children. However, most Shih Tzus are affectionate, friendly and outgoing, and are only to happy to play the role of valued family pet.



The Shih Tzu breed survived a dangerous period in the twentieth century to become the one of the twenty-first century's most popular dog. The Shih Tzu is the ninth most popular registered breed in the American Kennel Club's 2006 most popular breed list, and this little dog's popularity continues to grow.





An expert on Chinese culture, Rebecca Simpson is the devoted owner of two Shih Tzu dogs. The Shih Tzu is a lap dog with a royal history. The breed makes an excellent pet, especially for a city dweller. Shih Tzu information can be found online, at public libraries, and from breeders.