UNDERSTANDING TZU
The Shih Tzu is a high
maintenance breed and requires frequent and regular grooming. This means a
trip to the groomer about every 6 - 9 weeks at an average cost of $30-$40
per session. If this is not in your budget, this may not be the right breed
for you.
Shih Tzu do not
generally do well left alone for long periods of time. They were bred to be
pets and need human companionship. If the Shih Tzu is going to be alone
without another dog for more than 6 hours at a time on a regular basis, we
suggest that you get a pair so the Shih Tzu does not develop separation or
behavioral problems.
Shih Tzu are
susceptible to ear infections and eye damage. The ears must be properly
cared for to prevent infection. Shih Tzu have a very short muzzle,
therefore their eyes have very little natural protection. Extra care should
be taken to guard against injury.
A Shih Tzu is a very
loving and loyal dog that needs attention and affection. They will want to
be with the family, wherever that may be. A Shih Tzu is not suitable as an
"outdoor" dog under any circumstances.
Our Shih Tzu can come
from a variety of situations... We get dogs out of shelters, owner turn-ins,
strays, dogs who are abandoned because of their owners death...etc. Rather
than leave these dogs to die in a shelter, we put them in foster homes where
they are treated like members of the family. All dogs are up-to-date on
vaccines, heartworm negative, spayed or neutered and treated for any
immediate medical problems before they are ready for adoption.
Rescue dogs are often
very scared, and unsure of where they belong. There may be some training
needed or some bad habits to correct. However, rescue dogs often have an
abundance of love, affection and gratitude to give back. And you will have
the satisfaction of knowing that you saved a dog.
Our Adoption fees range
from $100 to $350
and are based according to age. This is used to offset veterinary expenses.
A BRIEF
HISTORY OF THE SHIH TZU
By Victor Joris
Dogs of various sizes,
shapes, and colors have been bred in China for centuries. Records
substantiate the existence of short, square, "under the table" dogs from at
least 1000 B.C. By piecing together historical facts and documented
records, it is possible to some extent to follow the development in China of
the breeding of dogs likely to be the ancestors of the present-day Shih Tzu.
The ancestry of the
Shih Tzu is rather obscure, but it is probable that the breed is primarily
of Tibetan origin. The history of the Tibetan “Lion Dogs” is interwoven with
the tenets of Buddhism, which originated in India. The lion was closely
associated with Buddhism, but the lion was not indigenous to China, so the
Chinese and the Tibetan lamas bred their toy dogs to resemble lions. The
Shih Tzu (whose name means “lion”) is reputed to have been the oldest and
smallest variety of the Tibetan “holy dogs” and bears some similarity to
other Tibetan breeds. For much of the long and illustrious history of China,
the breeding of the small “Lion Dog” was a favorite pastime of succeeding
imperial rulers.
Prior to A.D. 624,
documents show that small dogs were exported from Malta, Turkey, Greece, and
Persia as gifts to the ruling Chinese emperors. It is likely that the first
small Tibetan Lion Dogs from which the Shih Tzu is probably descended came
to China during the Qing (Ch’ing) Dynasty (1644-62) as tributes from the
Grand Lamas to the Chinese Imperial Court, and that the Chinese interbred
these Tibetan dogs with the early western imports and with the Pug and the
Pekingese.
The existence of the
Shih Tzu as we know it today is owed to the Dowager Empress Cixi (T’zu Hsi),
whose kennel of Pugs, Pekingese, and Shih Tzu was world renowned. Although
she carefully supervised the kennel during her lifetime and attempted to
keep the three imperial breeds separate, the actual breeding was carried out
by palace eunuchs who secretly crossed the breeds to reduce size and produce
unusual and desirable markings. After her death in 1908, the kennels were
dispersed and palace breeding became haphazard. Some breeding was still
practiced by private individuals and specimens were exhibited, but the dogs
were almost impossible to acquire. So far as is known, the breed became
extinct in China after the Communist revolution.
Seven dogs and seven
bitches comprise the gene pool of all existing Shih Tzu. These fourteen
include the Pekingese dog used in an admitted cross in England in 1952--a
cross which caused considerable trouble, as it was done by a newcomer to the
breed and reported after the fact. The other foundation dogs included three
Shih Tzu imported from China that became the foundation of the Taishan
kennel of Lady Brownrigg in England and eight additional imports to England
between 1933 and 1959. Three other Shih Tzu were imported into Norway from
China in 1932 by Mrs. Henrick Kauffman, including a bitch that was the only
Shih Tzu bred in the Imperial Palace to reach the Western world.
Returning military
personnel brought some of the first Shih Tzu into the United States during
the late 1940s and 1950s and began breeding programs. The unique beauty and
outstanding temperament of this “new” breed quickly found favor with the
fancy. From the first day of formal AKC recognition (Sept. 1, 1969), the
Shih Tzu catapulted from a relatively unknown breed to one of the most
glamorous and popular of all canine companions.
Originally published in the Shih Tzu breed column in the American Kennel
Club Gazette. Written by Shih Tzu breeder-judge Victor Joris, author
of 'The Complete Shih Tzu' (Howell Book House).
APPEARANCE
The Shih Tzu
breed is characterized by its long, flowing double coat;
sturdy build; intelligence; and a friendly, lively attitude.
In breeding all coat colors are allowed. The Shih Tzu's hair
can be styled either in a short summer cut, or kept long as
is compulsory for
conformation shows.
Like humans, Shih Tzu have hair and not fur, which do not
shed in the same way as many dogs but is "captured" in the
dense undercoat; Shih Tzu owners hence are unlikely to find
as much hair on their furniture, clothes, and carpet as one
would with other dog breeds that shed. It is one of several
breeds suggested as a
hypo-allergenic
pet.
The AKC Shih Tzu breed standard
calls for the dog to have a short snout,
large eyes, and a palm-like tail that waves
above its torso. The ideal Shih Tzu height
at withers is 9 to 10 1/2 inches. The dog
should stand no less than 8 inches and not
more than 11 inches tall. The Shih Tzu
should never be so high stationed as to
appear leggy, nor so low stationed as to
appear dumpy or squatty. Regardless of size
or gender, the Shih Tzu should always be
solid and compact, and carry good weight and
substance.
TEMPERAMENT
James E. Mumford
described the breed in an American Shih Tzu magazine, giving
a picture of the versatile character of the Shih Tzu:
"Nobody knows how the Ancient Eunuchs managed to mix
together…And now here comes the recipe: A dash of lion,
several teaspoons of rabbit, a couple of ounces of domestic
cat, one part court jester, a dash of ballerina, a pinch of
old man (Chinese), a bit of beggar, a tablespoon of monkey,
one part baby seal, a dash of teddy bear and the rest dogs
of Tibetan and Chinese origin."
Although generally
outgoing and friendly, the Shih Tzu definitely has an
attitude that cries to be spoiled. However, poorly bred dogs
of the breed can be excitable, noisy, and snappy. If you
need help in realizing this fact, the dog will steer you in
the right direction with his self-assurance that he should
be treated like a king. Indeed, his strong sense of self
makes him a poor choice in a household with babies or small
children. He is often jealous of babies and toddlers and may
snap if bothered by rambunctious children. However, he is a
fine companion for older children, particularly those who
enjoy combing his hair.
Shih Tzu are very
active and alert. Shih Tzu are intelligent, and can be
trained for obedience competition and for good manners
around the home. They can be stubborn, so persistence and
consistency are definite plusses in training methods.
Punishment makes this dog shut down, so training should also
be low-key and motivational.
CARE
The Shih Tzu is
easy to care for, but the area around the eyes should be
cleaned gently each day. Most Shih Tzu enjoy exercising
outdoors. Most enjoy a long walk, although they are also
quite happy to run around the house. A dog whose coat is
allowed to grow out needs daily brushing to avoid tangles; a
short haircut avoids this extra level of care. However,
these dogs do not tolerate cold temperatures well, so longer
hair during the colder seasons is more appropriate. Shih Tzu
are considered to be
brachycephalic
(snub-nosed) dogs. As such, they are very sensitive to high
temperatures.
©2008 Fuzzy Pawz Shih Tzu Rescue of WI, Inc., All Rights Reserved
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