The Shih Tzu And Its Regal Beginnings

The Shih Tzu dog breed survived a tragic history to become one of the most popular toy breeds around today. Shih Tzu historical information reveals that the breed has roots in royalty.

The Shih Tzu originated as the pampered pet of Tibetan Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi, who bred the dogs prolifically between 1861, when she came into power, and 1908, when she died. Her successor disdained the little dogs and everything they represented. As a result, many dogs were killed after the Empress’s death. Surviving Shih Tzus belonged mostly to foreigners and members of Chinese nobility, who had received the dogs as gifts from the Empress.

The breed first appeared in the United Kingdom during the late 1920s or early 1930s. North American soldiers who got to know the breed in Europe during World War II became fond of the little dogs and brought them back to the United States and Canada.
Perhaps because of careful breeding to make them suitable as royal pampered pets, the Shih Tzu has a happy disposition and a strong desire to be the center of attention. The Shih Tzu is a lap dog who is content to spend hour after hour relaxing in the company of humans. Because of their small size—nine to sixteen pounds—and easygoing personality, these sturdy dogs are especially popular with apartment dwellers.

The dogs were bred to have a lion-like appearance, with their flattened facial muscles, bowed legs, bulging eyes, and intimidating facial expressions earning them the nickname of "lion dogs." Their wrinkled faces were also said to resemble chrysanthemum flowers, giving rise to the breed’s second nickname of "chrysanthemum dog."

The Shih Tzu coat ranges in colors from solid black or gold to several multi-color combinations. The breed’s elegant appearance comes from its long, slightly wavy coat, which requires daily attention. 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.