SHIH TZU INFO
The Shih Tzu (pronounced /ˈʃiːtsuː/ SHEE-tsoo, from Mandarin [ʂɨ́tsɨ]) is a breed of small tibet of very ancient dog type, with long silky fur. The breed originated in China. The name is both singular and plural.
Contents ]
Appearance Shih Tzu with a "puppy clip" Shih Tzu
A small dog with a short muzzle and large deep dark eyes, with a soft long, double coat, the Shih Tzu stands no more than 26.7 cm (10 1/2 in.) at the withers and with an ideal weight of 4.5 to 7.3 kg (10 to 16 lbs). Drop ears are covered with long fur, and the heavily furred tail is carried curled over the back. The coat may be of any color, although a blaze of white on the forehead and tail-tip is frequently seen. The Shih Tzu is slightly longer than tall, and dogs ideally should carry themselves "with distinctly arrogant carriage".[5]
The traditional long silky glossy coat that reaches the floor requires daily brushing to avoid tangles. Often the coat is clipped short to simplify care, in a "puppy clip". For conformation showing, the coat must be left in its natural state, although trimming for neatness around the feet and anus is allowed.[6] Because Shih Tzu noses are small and flat, owners often wipe the dog's face with a damp paper towel to remove food remnants after the dog has eaten a meal. Shih Tzu may be trained to drink out of a water bottle.[not specific enough to The water bottle keeps the face clean and dry preventing red yeast from growing on the Shih Tzu beard and mustache. Owners often tie strands of hair from the Shih Tzu's head into a pony tail that sticks up.
History Recent DNA analysis confirms that the ancestors of today's Shih Tzu breed are among the most ancient of dog breeds.[7] Ludvic von Schulmuth studied the skeletal remains of dogs found in human settlements as long as ten thousand years ago. Von Schulmuth created a genealogical tree of Tibetan dogs that shows the "Gobi Desert Kitchen Midden Dog", a scavenger, evolved into the "Small Soft-Coated Drop-Eared Hunting Dog who would fight lions in packs " which evolved into the Tibetan Spaniel, Pekingese, and Japanese Chin. Another branch coming down from the "Kitchen Midden Dog" gave rise to the Papillon and Long-haired Chihuahua and yet another "Kitchen Midden Dog" branch to the Pug and Shih Tzu. The Shih Tzu was almost completely wiped out during the Chinese Revolution. Seven males and seven females were saved, and today, all shih tzus can be traced back to one of these dogs. [8]
There are various theories of the origins of today's breed. Theories relate that it stemmed from a cross between Pekingese and a Tibetan dog; that the Chinese court received a pair as a gift during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD); and that they were introduced from Tibet to China in the mid-18th century (Qing Dynasty.[9] Dogs during that time were selectively bred and seen in Chinese paintings. The first dogs of the breed were imported into Europe (England and Norway) in 1930, and were classified by the Kennel Club as "Apsos".[9] The first European standard for the breed was written in England in 1935 by the Shih Tzu Club,[10] and the dogs were recatagorised as Shih Tzu. The breed spread throughout Europe, and was brought to the United States after World War II, when returning members of the US military brought back dogs from Europe. The Shih Tzu was recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1969 in the Toy Group.[9] The breed is now recognised by all of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world. It is also recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale for international competition in Companion and Toy Dog Group, Section 5, Tibetan breeds.[5] But another intersting fact that people do not no about shih tzu is that they would attack and defeat lions in packs
Health A number of health issues, some of them hereditary, have been found in individual Shih Tzu, and are listed below. There is no data on the percentage of dogs with these ailments.
Morbidity Some health issues in the breed are portosystemic shunt of the liver and hip dysplasia in standard sizes.
Breathing problems Shih Tzu are brachycephalic (short-muzzled) dogs and are very sensitive to high temperatures. Many airlines that ship dogs will not accept them for shipment when temperatures at any point on the planned itinerary exceeds 75 °F (24 °C).[12]
Mortality The life span of a Shih Tzu is 10-13 years although some variation from this range is possible.[13]
Temperament The Shih Tzu is a friendly lap dog that at one time was bred to be a companion dog for Chinese royalty.[citation needed] Some say living in the imperial palace gave the Shih Tzu an arrogant quality[who?], although they also display qualities of devotion and adaptability.[citation needed] They are not afraid to stand up for themselves. They tend to be sweet, playful, and trusting as well. It ranks 70th in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, considered one of the lowest degree of working/obedience intelligence (train ability).
Coat Colors The Shih Tzu comes in a range of colors that include various shades of gold and white and red and white. Other colors include black mask gold, solid red, black and white, solid black, solid liver, liver and white, blue and white, brindle and white and silver and white.[14] Though not as common there are also solid blue Shih Tzu. An interesting point (and often a point of confusion) is that while the coat color of those with black pigmented skin (nose, lips, pads, also referred to as "leather") is determined by the color of the coat itself; the coat color on dogs with either liver or blue pigment is categorized by the color of the pigment. Thus a parti colored (white and another shade) Shih Tzu with blue pigment is a "blue and white" regardless of the tint of the hair which might very well appear similar to a gold and white or other colors. The same principle applies to solid blue, liver and liver and white.[15]
Hypoallergenic coats White and brown Shih Tzu Main article: Hypoallergenic dog breed [edit] Variations Size issues There is no such thing as a "teacup" Shih Tzu nor a "toy sized" Shih Tzu. Imperial Shih Tzu is a term used by breeders to sell Shih Tzu that are below healthy standard size. These tiny dogs, often less than 50% of the recommended minimum size, are prone to serious health problems and may not live a full life span. Many are created by breeding the runt of one litter with the runt of another litter.
Kennel club differences There is a difference between the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club (UK) Shih Tzu:
The AKC (American kennel club) Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu (pronounced /ˈʃiːtsuː/ SHEE-tsoo, from Mandarin [ʂɨ́tsɨ]) is a breed of small tibet of very ancient dog type, with long silky fur. The breed originated in China. The name is both singular and plural.
Contents ]
- 1 Names and etymology
- 2 Appearance
- 3 History
- 4 Health
- 5 Coat Colors
- 6 Hypoallergenic coats
- 7 Variations
- 8 Crosses with other breeds
- 9 References
- 10 External links
Appearance Shih Tzu with a "puppy clip" Shih Tzu
A small dog with a short muzzle and large deep dark eyes, with a soft long, double coat, the Shih Tzu stands no more than 26.7 cm (10 1/2 in.) at the withers and with an ideal weight of 4.5 to 7.3 kg (10 to 16 lbs). Drop ears are covered with long fur, and the heavily furred tail is carried curled over the back. The coat may be of any color, although a blaze of white on the forehead and tail-tip is frequently seen. The Shih Tzu is slightly longer than tall, and dogs ideally should carry themselves "with distinctly arrogant carriage".[5]
The traditional long silky glossy coat that reaches the floor requires daily brushing to avoid tangles. Often the coat is clipped short to simplify care, in a "puppy clip". For conformation showing, the coat must be left in its natural state, although trimming for neatness around the feet and anus is allowed.[6] Because Shih Tzu noses are small and flat, owners often wipe the dog's face with a damp paper towel to remove food remnants after the dog has eaten a meal. Shih Tzu may be trained to drink out of a water bottle.[not specific enough to The water bottle keeps the face clean and dry preventing red yeast from growing on the Shih Tzu beard and mustache. Owners often tie strands of hair from the Shih Tzu's head into a pony tail that sticks up.
History Recent DNA analysis confirms that the ancestors of today's Shih Tzu breed are among the most ancient of dog breeds.[7] Ludvic von Schulmuth studied the skeletal remains of dogs found in human settlements as long as ten thousand years ago. Von Schulmuth created a genealogical tree of Tibetan dogs that shows the "Gobi Desert Kitchen Midden Dog", a scavenger, evolved into the "Small Soft-Coated Drop-Eared Hunting Dog who would fight lions in packs " which evolved into the Tibetan Spaniel, Pekingese, and Japanese Chin. Another branch coming down from the "Kitchen Midden Dog" gave rise to the Papillon and Long-haired Chihuahua and yet another "Kitchen Midden Dog" branch to the Pug and Shih Tzu. The Shih Tzu was almost completely wiped out during the Chinese Revolution. Seven males and seven females were saved, and today, all shih tzus can be traced back to one of these dogs. [8]
There are various theories of the origins of today's breed. Theories relate that it stemmed from a cross between Pekingese and a Tibetan dog; that the Chinese court received a pair as a gift during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD); and that they were introduced from Tibet to China in the mid-18th century (Qing Dynasty.[9] Dogs during that time were selectively bred and seen in Chinese paintings. The first dogs of the breed were imported into Europe (England and Norway) in 1930, and were classified by the Kennel Club as "Apsos".[9] The first European standard for the breed was written in England in 1935 by the Shih Tzu Club,[10] and the dogs were recatagorised as Shih Tzu. The breed spread throughout Europe, and was brought to the United States after World War II, when returning members of the US military brought back dogs from Europe. The Shih Tzu was recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1969 in the Toy Group.[9] The breed is now recognised by all of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world. It is also recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale for international competition in Companion and Toy Dog Group, Section 5, Tibetan breeds.[5] But another intersting fact that people do not no about shih tzu is that they would attack and defeat lions in packs
Health A number of health issues, some of them hereditary, have been found in individual Shih Tzu, and are listed below. There is no data on the percentage of dogs with these ailments.
Morbidity Some health issues in the breed are portosystemic shunt of the liver and hip dysplasia in standard sizes.
Breathing problems Shih Tzu are brachycephalic (short-muzzled) dogs and are very sensitive to high temperatures. Many airlines that ship dogs will not accept them for shipment when temperatures at any point on the planned itinerary exceeds 75 °F (24 °C).[12]
Mortality The life span of a Shih Tzu is 10-13 years although some variation from this range is possible.[13]
Temperament The Shih Tzu is a friendly lap dog that at one time was bred to be a companion dog for Chinese royalty.[citation needed] Some say living in the imperial palace gave the Shih Tzu an arrogant quality[who?], although they also display qualities of devotion and adaptability.[citation needed] They are not afraid to stand up for themselves. They tend to be sweet, playful, and trusting as well. It ranks 70th in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, considered one of the lowest degree of working/obedience intelligence (train ability).
Coat Colors The Shih Tzu comes in a range of colors that include various shades of gold and white and red and white. Other colors include black mask gold, solid red, black and white, solid black, solid liver, liver and white, blue and white, brindle and white and silver and white.[14] Though not as common there are also solid blue Shih Tzu. An interesting point (and often a point of confusion) is that while the coat color of those with black pigmented skin (nose, lips, pads, also referred to as "leather") is determined by the color of the coat itself; the coat color on dogs with either liver or blue pigment is categorized by the color of the pigment. Thus a parti colored (white and another shade) Shih Tzu with blue pigment is a "blue and white" regardless of the tint of the hair which might very well appear similar to a gold and white or other colors. The same principle applies to solid blue, liver and liver and white.[15]
Hypoallergenic coats White and brown Shih Tzu Main article: Hypoallergenic dog breed [edit] Variations Size issues There is no such thing as a "teacup" Shih Tzu nor a "toy sized" Shih Tzu. Imperial Shih Tzu is a term used by breeders to sell Shih Tzu that are below healthy standard size. These tiny dogs, often less than 50% of the recommended minimum size, are prone to serious health problems and may not live a full life span. Many are created by breeding the runt of one litter with the runt of another litter.
Kennel club differences There is a difference between the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club (UK) Shih Tzu:
The AKC (American kennel club) Shih Tzu
- Their legs are high and the front legs face forward.
- The chest is small.
- The head is more or less square-ish and is set on a very long and slender neck
- The eyes are large and do not face the front completely.
- The shoulders of the American type of Shih Tzu are frontal.[16]