Shih Tzu

Size
Small (under 11kg)
Exercise
No daily exercise
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
Some outdoor space
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Frequent
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Ruth Scott (Dreamforce)

dreamforce_shihtzu@bigpond.com
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Breeder - Mrs Leonie Monaghan (LEIMING)

leonie191@yahoo.com
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History

The Shih Tzu, thought to have originated in Tibet, was once considered a precious gift for Chinese royalty. During the Manchu Dynasty, the breed became very popular with Empress Tzu Hsi, the last Empress of China. The palace eunuchs trained the dogs to perform various tricks, and certain colours and markings were highly prized. With the death of the Empress Tzu Hsi in 1908, the dogs were sold by the palace eunuchs, or given as gifts to important foreign visitors. During this time there was indiscriminate breeding, which saw breeds being mixed within the palace.

Championship status was granted in 1940, with Eng. Ch. Ta Shi of Taishan becoming the first champion of the breed in 1949.

In 1952, Miss Elfreda Evans, a respected Pekingese breeder, introduced a Pekingese cross into British stock. This was done under Kennel Club control to improve various points in the breed, however, many did not agree with her actions.

The Shih Tzu arrived in Australia in 1954 when Tony and Soo Dobson brought their three Shih Tzus and established Wawnehill Kennels in NSW. The breed increased in popularity, and with the addition of further imports, the breed became firmly established with specimens of good type.

Temperament

Overall the Shih Tzu is a very active dog that is extremely intelligent and alert. While it is always friendly, the Shih Tzu may display an arrogant attitude towards visitors or bark when strangers arrive. It is easily trained and poor temperaments are rare.

Submitted by Lesley Booth. Photo by Rhonda Fox

Appearance

The Shih Tzu comes in a wide variety of colours and can be either parti-coloured or solid. It is an abundantly coated, sturdy dog with an arrogant carriage. In puppies, the face can be likened to a chrysanthemum. Its movement is smooth flowing with good reach in front and strong rear action displaying full pad. It does not bounce or roll.

The head is large and round, with good width of muzzle. The nose is level or tip tilted and approximately one inch in length. The Shih Tzu is rectangular in shape, with adequate length of neck to carry the head proudly. It must have a high-set 'teapot' tail: the tail should never be flat on the back.

Maintenance

The Shih Tzu requires regular grooming, show dogs must be constantly groomed. Faces must be kept clean, particularly around the eyes and mouth. While coat textures vary in the breed, the Shih Tzu's coat has the tendency to matt overnight so it must be kept clean and free from tangles.

Health

Responsible breeders have eliminated many problems within the breed, so many health issues relate to the general care of dogs. Eyes, ears and teeth must be kept clean, otherwise you may have problems requiring veterinary attention.

Both umbilical and inguinal hernias are no longer a major problem in the breed, but they do exist. Luxating patellas and hip dysplasia have been found in the breed. Responsible breeders have eliminated those breeding lines.

Suitability

The Shih Tzu is an ideal pet; it has a fabulous temperament and is suited to all ages.

Daily exercise is not essential as it can be exercised through a simple game of fetch. It enjoys a walk or just running in a fenced yard. It is a long-lived breed with 15 years being the average, but with loving care many will exceed this.

Words: John Sheppard on behalf of the Shih Tzu Club of NSW

Image by Ffire Photography

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Shih Tzu you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Shih Tzu and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 22 Feb 2017)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Sturdy, abundantly but not excessively coated dog with distinctly arrogant carriage and 'chrysanthemum-like' face.

Characteristics

Intelligent, active and alert.

Temperament

Friendly and independent.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head broad, round, wide between eyes. Shock-headed with hair falling well over eyes, not affecting the dog’s ability to see. Good beard and whiskers, hair growing upwards on the muzzle giving distinct ‘chrysanthemum-like’ effect. Muzzle of ample width, square, short, not wrinkled, flat and hairy. Nose black but dark liver in liver or liver marked dogs and about one inch from tip to definite stop. Nose level or slightly tip-tilted. Top of nose leather should be on a line with or slightly below lower eye rim. Wide-open nostrils. Down pointed nose highly undesirable, as are pinched nostrils. Pigmentation of muzzle as unbroken as possible.
Eyes	Large, dark, round, placed well apart but not prominent. Warm expression. In liver or liver marked dogs, lighter eye colour permissible. No white of eye showing.
Ears	Large, with long leathers, carried drooping. Set slightly below crown of skull, so heavily coated they appear to blend into hair of neck.
Mouth	Wide, slightly undershot or level. Lips level.
Neck	Well proportioned, nicely arched. Sufficient length to carry head proudly.
Forequarters	Shoulders well laid back. Legs short, and muscular with ample bone, as straight as possible, consistent with broad chest being well let down.
Body	Longer between withers and root of tail than height of withers, well coupled and sturdy, chest broad and deep, shoulders firm, back level.
Hindquarters	Legs short and muscular with ample bone. Straight when viewed from the rear. Thighs well rounded and muscular.
Feet	Rounded, firm and well covered with hair.
Tail	Heavily plumed carried gaily well over back. Set on high. Height approximately level with that of skull to give a balanced outline.
Gait/Movement	Arrogant, smooth-flowing, front legs reaching well forward, strong rear action and showing full pad.
Coat	Outer coat long, dense, not curly, with moderate undercoat, not woolly. Slight wave permitted. Hair not affecting the dog’s ability to see. Length of coat should not restrict movement. It is strongly recommended that the hair on head is tied up without adornment.
Colour	All colours except merle permissible, white blaze on forehead and white tip to tail highly desirable in parti-colours.
Size	Weight: 4.5-8 kgs (10-18 lbs)Ideal weight: 4.5-7.5 kgs (10-17 lbs)Height: no more than 27 cms (10.5 ins) at withersType and breed characteristics of the utmost importance and on no account to be sacrificed to size alone.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.