| All About the Shih Tzu |
| The Shih Tzu originated in China where their sole purpose was to be a companion in the Chinese Royal Court. Now many centuries later they are, our royal companions. In Chinese Shih Tzu, literally means "lion dog", they are also referred to sometimes as "chrysanthemum dog". During the Chinese Revalution when the Communists seized power all the Shih Tzu were killed. Before this happened seven female Shih Tzu and seven male Shih Tzu were taken to England and Scandinavia to be protected. It is believed that all Shih Tzu to this day can be traced back to these original fourteen. |
| The American Kennel Club states that the Shih-Tzu is an intelligent, lively, and alert breed. It is also referred to as a "big dog in a small package". The ideal Shih-Tzu weight is 9-16 pounds and is deceptively heavy for its size because of its heavy bones. Their coat flows to the ground, but their long coat may be given a "puppy cut" to keep it managable. AKC has also stated that, There is no such thing as an AKC-recognized "imperial" or "teacup" Shih-Tzu. These terms are sometimes used by unethical breeders to create a market for undersized and often unhealthy Shih Tzu that do not conform to the AKC breed standard. While a reputable breeder may occasionally produce an undersized Shih Tzu, such puppies should be sold as pets and not used for breeding. AKC recognised the Shih Tzu in 1969 and placed them in the toy group. Their life span is approximately 10-18 years. |
| The information on this page is based partly on information from AKC that was accurate at the time this page was created and partly on my opinion as a person and as a breeder. This page was updated June 2011. |
| If you would like more information about our Shih Tzus, please click on the link below to send us an email. Contact Us |
| Lori Hopper Home: 910.763.7122 or Cell 910.431.2639 |
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