History:
The Shih Tzu found his cradle in the far east. He thanks his name to the chinese people. This breed is
probable arised out of the Tibetan Lhasa apso and the Chinese precious Pekinese.
During many centuries up till today this dog is an excellent companion dog, who has a very friendly
nature and is not so aloof like the Lhasa Apso, against strangers. He like to be with people and like to
play with children also.
This descendents from the Lho-Tse or Hapadog are shurely family from our Tibetan Breeds. They are
little pithy companion dogs, where in Tibet and now all over the world everybody is found on them.
A long coat, not so strong as the Lhasa Apso, covers him from tip to nose till the tail set-on. The white
blaze on the foreface and a white tip on his tail are prefered.
Description of the Standard
General Appearance: Sturdy, abundandly coated with distinctly arrogant carriage and chrysantinum-like face.
Intelligent, active and alert. Friendly and independant.
Temperament: friendly, and independent.
Head : THead broadn round, wide between the eyes. Shock-headed with hair falling well over eyes. Ood
beard ans whiskers, hair growing upwards on the nose giving a distincly chrysanthenum-like effect.
Cranial region:
Stop: Definite.
Facial region:
Nose: Balck but dark liver in liver or marked dogs. Top of nose leather should be on a line with or slightly
below lower eyerim. Downpointed nose highly undesirable. Wide open nostrils. Pinched nostrils highly
undesirable.
Muzzle: Of ample width, square, short, not wrinkled, flat and hairy. Lenght about one inch (2,5 cm) from
tip to stop. Bridge of the nose level or slightly tip tilted. Pigmentation of muzzle as unbroken as possible.
Lips: Level.
Jaws / Teeth: Wide, slightly undershot or level.
Eyes: Large, dark, round, placed well 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 heavenly coated
theu appear to blende into hair of neck.
Neck: Well proportioned, nicely arched. Sufficient lenght to carry head proudly.
Body: Longer between withers and root of the tail than height at withers.
Back Level
Loin: Well coupled and sturdy.
Chest: Broad and deep.
Tail: Heavily plumed carried gaily well over back. Set on high. Height approximately level with that of
skull to give a balanced outline.
Limbs
Forequarters: Legs short and muscular with ample bone, as straight as possible, consistent with broad
chest being well let down.
Shoulder: Firm, well laid back.
Hindquaters: Legs short and muscular with ampel bone. Straight when viewed from the rear. Legs
looking massive on account of wealth of hair.
Thighs: Well rounded and muscular.
Hindquaters: Legs short and muscular with ampel bone. Straight when viewed from the rear. Legs
looking massive on account of wealth of hair.
Thighs: Well rounded and muscular.
Feet: Rounded, firm and well padded, appearing big on account of wealth of hair.
Gait / movement: Arrogant, smooth-flowing, front legs reaching well forward, strong rear action and
showing full pad.
Coat
Hair: Long, dense not curly, with good undercoat. Slight wave permitted. Strongly recommanded that
hair on head tied up.
Colour: All colours permissible, white blaze on forehead and white tip to tail highly desirable in particolours.
Size and weight
Height at the withers: Not more than 26,70 cm (10 ½ inch), type and breed characteristics of the unmost
importance and on no account to be sacrefied to size alone.
Weight: 4,5 to 8,1 kg (10-18 lbs). Ideal weight 4,5 – 7,3 kg (10-16 lbs).
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.
N.B. Male animals should have two appearently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
