Page 274 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

CATALOG OF BREEDS | COMPANION DOGS

Shih Tzu

HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN Variety of colors
Up to 11in 11–18lb Over 10 years
(27cm) (5–8kg)

This intelligent, bouncy, and outgoing dog loves being part
of the family, making it a popular pet around the world

Black and
This sturdy breed is descended from the dogs survived in the UK and Norway, and the white
small, long-haired “lion dogs” that were English dogs formed the basis of today’s Shih
originally bred in Tibet. Tibetan lamas Tzu. The breed was officially recognized in
(spiritual leaders) sent some of these valuable the UK in 1934. English Shih Tzus were
dogs as tributes to the Chinese emperors, exported to Europe and Australia and, after
and these were then crossed with small World War II, reached the US, too. In their
dogs imported from the West in previous native land, however, numbers had been in
centuries. Like the Pekingese (see p.270), the decline, and by the time of the Communist
Shih Tzu was revered as a holy dog because it revolution in 1949, Shih Tzus had become
resembled the Chinese notion of a lion, which almost extinct in China. Today the Shih Tzu
was a holy Buddhist symbol. The breed name is one of the world’s most popular toy breeds.
means “little lion” in Chinese. Despite its dignified carriage, the Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu was a favorite with makes an affectionate and friendly
royalty. During the late 19th century pet, although it can be strong-
Dowager Empress Cixi kept willed. The long coat requires
breeding kennels for Shih Tzus daily grooming but sheds little
(as well as Pugs (see p.268) and or no hair, making this breed
Pekingese (see p.270), but after suitable for allergy sufferers.
her death in 1908 the dogs
were dispersed.
After China became a
Gold with
republic in 1912, Shih Tzus black mask
were exported overseas.
Small groups of imported PUPPY

A NEW DISCOVERY

In 1930 two small black-and-white dogs, a male
and a female, were imported to the UK by Lady
Brownrigg, an avid dog breeder (right). A second
male was taken to Ireland. Descendants of these
three dogs were the foundation stock of Lady
Brownrigg’s kennel and are ancestral to many
of the dogs that exist today. When first shown
in 1933, in a class for Tibetan dogs, it was
immediately apparent that Lady Brownrigg’s
dogs were different from the Lhasa Apso (see
p.271) and the Tibetan Terrier (see p.283) and
this led her to form the Tibetan Lion Dog Club
and write the first breed standard.

LADY BROWNRIGG WITH
SOME OF HER SHIH TZUS

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