Shih Tzu

[[File:Shih-Tzu.jpg|thumb|153x153px|A Tricolor (black, white, brown) Shih Tzu

in s 2007">Juliette., Cunliffe (2007). Shih tzu. Kennel Club Books. ISBN 978-1-59378-216-0. OCLC 232358683. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.</ref> They have a soft and long double coat that will tangle and mat easily if not brushed at least every 2 or 3 days. A Shih Tzu should stand no more than 26.7 cm (101⁄2") at the withers and with an ideal weight of 4.0 to 7.5kg (9 to 17 lb). Their floppy ears are covered with long fur, and their heavily fur-covered tail is carried curled over the back. The coat may be of any colour, though white and with blazes of grey are frequently seen. A very noticeable feature is the underbite, which is required in the breed standard.[4]

Because of their long coat and fast-growing hair, regular grooming is necessary, which may be expensive. The traditional long silky coat, which tends to reach the floor, requires daily brushing to avoid tangles. The coat can be clipped short to simplify care, but still requires frequent brushing. For showing, the coat must be left in its natural state, though trimming for neatness around the feet and anus is allowed. The shorter cut is typically called a "puppy cut"[5] or a "teddy bear cut" when the puppy cut is accompanied by a fuller, rounder face, resembling a stuffed animal.

The name comes from the Chinese language word for "lion" because this kind of dog was bred to resemble "the lion, as in traditional oriental art".[6] (The Pekingese breed is also called 獅子狗, "lion dog", in Chinese.) The name Shih Tzu is the Wade-Giles romanization of the Chinese characters 獅子 ("lion").

A female Shih Tzu at around 18 months of age.

A female Shih Tzu named Pebbles, with different colored eyes.

In contemporary Mandarin, the Shih Tzu is generally known as the "Xi Shi dog"; Xi Shi was regarded as one of the most beautiful women of ancient China. Shih Tzu was nicknamed the "chrysanthemum dog" in England in the 1930s.[7] The dog may also be called the Tibetan Lion Dog, but whether the breed should be referred to as "Tibetan" or "Chinese" is a source of both historical and political contention. A book on the breed states that "dog historians tend to have very strong opinions" on the subject.[8]

One theory is that the Shih Tzu descended from a cross between the Pekingese and Lhasa Apso.[9] The dogs were favorites of the Chinese royals and so prized that, for years, the Chinese refused to sell, trade, or give any away. 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 categorised again as Shih Tzu. The breed spread throughout Europe and was brought to the United States after World War II, when returning members of the U.S. military brought back dogs from Europe and Asia, in the mid-1950s. The Shih Tzu was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969 in the Toy Group.[9] There are fourteen total iterations of the Shih Tzu in the breed's gene pool today.[11] In 1934, the Shih Tzu Club of England was founded[12] and the breed was officially recognised by the Kennel Club (UK) on 7 May 1940. When it became eligible for Challenge Certificates, none were awarded until 1949. The breed is now recognized by all of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world.[4] It is also recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale for international competition in Companion and Toy Dog Group, Section 5, Tibetan breeds.[4] In the United States, the Shih Tzus were ranked the 15th most popular breed in 2013, falling slightly in popularity since 2012 when it was placed in 11th position.[13]In Israel the Shih Tzus were ranked as the most popular breed in 2019.[14]

A Chinese guardian lion (or "Fu"/"Foo" dog) statue in the Groninger city of Veendam, Veenkoloniën. These statues are meant to guard this building, with the one on the left holding a ball and the one on the right with her puppy.

Shih Tzus are largely associated with Buddhism and Buddhist mythology. The name "Shih Tzu" in Mandarin directly translates to "little lion," an animal considered sacred in Buddhist religion. Lions symbolize royalty, strength, and bravery – "fear nothing, and act without delay."[15] Pairs of stone lions or lion dogs located outside guard palace doors, tombs, temples, and public buildings are thought to protect these buildings from harmful individuals and spiritual influences.[15] These stone statues are often called Fu (or Foo) dogs, and it is suggested that these are the lionized form of the Shih Tzu.[16] "Fu" roughly translates to "happiness" in Manchurian, with legend stating Fu dogs are happy Shih Tzus forever guarding the temple of Buddha.[16] Fu dog statues typically represent a male and female Shih Tzu, carved out of stone, jade, teak, ivory, cinnabar, bronze, or ceramics.[17] The male dog is often seen holding a ball with his left paw and the female dog holds her puppy. Sources state this holds a symbolic meaning, with the male dog representing powers over nature, energy, wisdom, and precious stones and the female dog symbolizing protection, play, and a disciplinary attitude.[17]

A 10-year-old male Shih Tzu shown with the star of Buddha on his head, marked by the white patch of hair.

Buddhists consider Shih Tzus blessed by and sacred beasts of Buddha. Legend states Buddha rode to earth on a lion and carried with him a small lion dog which accompanied him everywhere he went.[16] Legends vary across different sources, however many cite the Shih Tzu accompanied the Buddha of wisdom, Manjushri.[17] This lion dog had the ability to turn himself into a lion to carry Manjushri on his back. The physical features of Shih Tzus serve as proof of the eternal connection between Buddha and this breed. According to legend, several robbers surrounded Buddha with the intention of robbing and murdering him when the Shih Tzu transformed into a ferocious lion so large that the robbers were scared and fled the scene.[16] As the Shih Tzu returned to its dog form, Buddha blessed him for his courage.[16] Many Shih Tzus reflect this blessing in the form of the "Star of Buddha", which may also be called "Buddha's kiss", represented as a white patch of hair on the top of dog's head. Markings on the dogs back is said to be the saddle Buddha used to ride the dog in its lion form.[18] Legends vary across sources, largely because legends are historically passed down by word-of-mouth. Some cite this mark on the head as the place where Buddha kissed the dog, giving it his blessing.[18] Other sources state Buddha laid his finger on the dog's forehead in blessing, giving it a flash of white hair on its forehead.[16]

The Shih Tzu is a small breed of dog with a wide range of coat colors, from black to gold. Standard recognized Shih Tzu colors include black, blue, red, brindle, liver, silver, and gold. Other color variations may also be available like Albino and White,[19] though they may not be recognized by the American Kennel Club. In addition to solid colors, certain breeders are breeding tonal variations in each of these color types such as lighter or darker shades.

A number of health issues, some of them hereditary, have been found in individual Shih Tzu, and are listed below. The popularity of the breed has allowed for extremely poor breeding in general, leading to generalized and lifelong diseases, often from a fairly early age.

Brachycephaly

Due to the ideal of beauty regarding the shape of the face the skull malformation brachycephaly was increased by breeding selection. This short nose causes problems like skin sensitivities such as dermatitis, bumps, and rashes.[20]

Hair issues

Shih tzu with hair covering eyes. Untrimmed hair can be an issue. This is remedied with a top knot or a short puppy cut.

Shih Tzus do not have fur and have hair which can grow lengthy. Long hair is required as a show coat and is required generally to be brushed or groomed once a day. Hair longer than a puppy cut often causes issues, including hair covering the eyes of the dog, preventing good visual acuity.[23]

Stomach issues

Shih Tzu dogs are prone to stomach and digestive system issues, and most have delicate appetites.[25]

A cream coloured Shih Tzu

The UK Kennel Club survey puts the median lifespan of a Shih Tzu at 10 to 16 years.[26] The oldest recorded Shih Tzu lived to 23 years of age.[27]

The oldest living Shih Tzu as of 2021 is Tutsy, born in September, 2003 in Liverpool, England.[28]

The Shih Tzu will have 3 to 4 puppies at one time on average. Older Shih Tzus will tend to have more puppies per litter. 20% of Shih Tzus give birth via C-section.[29] Young female Shih Tzus will go into their first heat around six months old, repeating the process twice a year unless they are spayed. Traditionally, the breeding process for a Shih Tzu is complicated and time-consuming.[30] The process required constant attention from the owner during the entirety of pregnancy, birth, and the tending of the litter. A pregnant Shih Tzu's stomach can be used to feel for movement as early as 20 days into pregnancy.

• The design of the video game character Isabelle from the popular video game franchise Animal Crossing is based on the features of a Shih Tzu, as well as her original name in Japanese, Shizue (しずえ), seemingly being based on the name of the dog breed. She has appeared in most Animal Crossing games since the release of Animal Crossing: New Leaf, and is prominently featured in marketing for the franchise.

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• Shih Tzu at Curlie
• Chinese word for 'lion'

[[Category:shih dogs]