Origin and Purpose:
The Shih Tzu was developed in the palaces of China from Tibetan
temple dogs crossed with other Chinese breeds. It was originally
bred to be a companion and that remains its sole purpose today.
Sturdy and surprisingly hardy, they are well suited to both city and
country living.
General Appearance:
The Shih Tzu is an abundantly coated dog with a distinctly Oriental
appearance. It is a solid, sound little dog that is rather heavy for
its size.
Temperament:
Shih Tzu are distinctly arrogant with a character all their own.
They are exceptionally good-natured, affectionate and intelligent.
They are full of life and have an air of importance that cannot be
denied.
Size:
The Shih Tzu is not a Toy dog. This is a smaller type of dog with
good bone and substance. Height at withers approximately 9 to 10 ½
inches (23-27 cm). Breed type and balance always to be main
consideration.
Coat and Colour:
A luxurious long, flowing coat with an undercoat. May be slightly
wavy but never curly. The coat may be parted from the root of the
tail to the back of the skull. The hair on the head may be tied up
to form a topknot. A bow or ribbon to be optional. Coat may be
trimmed so as not to interfere with the movement of the dog. All
colours are acceptable providing they have black noses, lips and eye
rims. The exceptions are the livers and blues, which have
pigmentation that compliments that particular colour.
Head:
Skull round, broad and wide between the eyes with a definite stop.
The muzzle is short, square and about one-fifth of the total length
of the skull. The muzzle is approximately 1 inch (2 ½ cm) from the
stop to the tip of the nose. The upward sweep of the front part of
the muzzle should place the nose level with the bottom of the eye.
The placement of the muzzle is directly responsible for the nose
placement. The nose leather should be broad and the nostrils well
open. Eyes should be large, dark and round, except in livers and
blues where the light colour is permissible. The eyes should be well
set in the skull and
the expression should be warm and irresistible. Ear leathers
drooping, set just below the crown of the head and so heavily coated
that they appear to blend with hair of the neck. Mouth is slightly
undershot or level, the bottom jaw is wide and strong. Teeth should
not be visible when the mouth is closed.
Neck:
The neck must be in balance with the body length and must also
complement the high tail set and carriage.
Forequarters:
Shoulders well developed, muscular and well set to allow freedom of
movement. The upper arm well laid back thus allowing for the desired
width and dept forming a good fore chest. The legs straight, well
boned, set well under the body and fitting closely to the chest.
Feet moderate size and well padded.
Body:
This is not a square dog. The length of the back from the withers to
the tail set to be slightly longer than the height from the withers
to the ground. Taking into consideration the fore chest as well as
the area behind the tail, the Shih Tzu should appear rectangular in
outline. The body should be deep, sturdy and well coupled with a
good spring of rib. There should be little or no tuck up of the
underline. A good fore chest is essential to both the movement and
balance of the Shih Tzu. The topline should be level both standing
and moving.
Hindquarters:
Strong, muscled, well angulated and in balance with forequarters.
Hocks short, sturdy and turning neither in nor out. Feet moderate
size and well padded.
Tail:
Well feathered, set high and carried gaily over the back in a loose
curve with the tip just touching the back.
Gait:
Should be smooth and flowing with the head and tail held high.
Extension both front and rear. Front legs should move out of the
coat in a straight line, feet turning neither in nor out. Rear legs
show strong rear action displaying full pads on the move. The Shih
Tzu has a distinct swagger when on the move that is enhanced by his
air of importance.
Faults
Temperament –
Any deviation from the above-mentioned temperament to be considered
very undesirable.
Size –
lack of proper bone and substance.
Coat and Colour –
Excessive trimming, sparse or wooly coats, missing pigmentation.
Head -
Narrow head, lack of stop, pink on nose or eye rims, small or
light-coloured eyes, eye white showing, missing canines or incisors,
lack of strength of under jaw, pinched nostrils, wry mouths, tongue
showing when the mouth is closed, wrinkles like a Peke.
Neck -
Too short in that it does not complement the carriage and outline of
the Shih Tzu.
Forequarters -
Excessive legginess and crooked legs.
Body -
Lack of fore chest, narrow, weedy bodies with no bone and substance,
high in rear standing or moving. Shih Tzu not adhering to the
correct rectangular outline.
Hindquarters -
Slipping stifles and luxating hocks, cow hocks.
Tail -
Tails flat on back, pig tails, tails not carried gaily or happily,
tails carried sickle like without tip touching back.
Gait -
Lack of reach and drive, bouncing gait, inability to move with tail
or head held high.
Disqualifications:
Scissors or overshot bites, one or two blue eyes.