Since the Shih Tzu breed first became known to the western world there has been a variety of colors. The first and second prize winners at the Shanghai Kennel Club Show of May 30, 1930 were all black in color. These two solid black Shih Tzu were probably among the first Shih Tzu to ever appear in a western show ring. Their photographs can be seen in the China Journal June and August 1930 issues. Black and white Shih Tzu was also frequently seen of the early days in the wes...

Throughout the entire period of Shih Tzu development in the United States no other topic about the Shih Tzu has been more hotly contested than Shih Tzu size. When the standard was established it was hoped all Shih Tzu fanciers would settle down and breed exactly to that standard. It has never been the case. Controversy over Shih Tzu size still rages. These differences of opinion cannot be dismissed as being ?the smaller sizes are only rejects or Shih Tzu puppies born with exc...

In addition to the writings of Colonel Burkhardt regarding the practice of cross-breeding the Shih Tzu with Pekingese to reduce size, there is also published information of a booklet by Madam Lu expressing a similar opinion. These writings were done by someone connected with the newly formed Peking Kennel Club. The translator of the booklet was Mr. C.S.K. Chou, but there is no identification of the actual writer was. In reference to the Lhassa Lion Dogs the passage says: ?The...

Some westerner breeders challenge the assumption that the Shih Tzu from Tibet were on occasion interbred with the native Pekingese to reduce the Shih Tzu to a smaller size. However, there are those in China at the time who probably have a better position to know exactly what did happen. There are several statements made by different people who was actually in China at the time the Shih Tzu were crossed with the Pekingese. Colonel Valentine Burkhardt for one points out that th...

In 1952 Elfreda Evans deliberately bred a Shih Tzu to a Pekingese. This was the ?unthinkable,? and was not taken well by many. However, Ms. Evans felt there were just too few Shih Tzus available to breed and those that were available were much too large and too inbred. She believed because the Shih Tzu were so closely related they were developing too many faults. One of the greatest moments in Shih Tzu history was in 1963. A Shih Tzu named Champion Ellingham Kala Nag won B...

I understand that Apso means dog, but could also mean ?goat-like? or ?shaggy? in the Tibetan language. To the Tibetan people it was used to mean ?Temple Dog.? In that connection it became known as ?Lion Dog.? All these meanings were a long time ago. It seems I read repeatedly that many people understand and agree it was about 1650 that three temple dogs, holy dogs (they called them), were sent to China and that from these three came the Shih Tzu. It seems there are many (from...

If you will not be hiring a professional Shih Tzu handler for the show ring, there are a few things you should know about how to protect yourself and your Shih Tzu so that neither of you are too discouraged right at the start. Try to remember a judge?s first and lasting impression of your Shih Tzu?s temperament will be made the moment it walks into the ring. Do not carry your Shih Tzu into the ring to avoid getting its hair messed up. Let the judge see the Shih Tzu?s gait ...

Far away in Tibet, a country with a recorded history going back almost 1,500 years is where our Shih Tzu began. The country was noted for its devotion to Buddhism. Some of the tallest mountains in the world edge the country of Tibet. Winters in Tibet are severe with temperatures to 14 degrees F in December. The winds in Tibet are strong and biting with hard frosts. Snowfall is light. In the summer, daylight temperatures reach a maximum of 75 degrees F with a sharp drop in ...

There are two types of dog shows licensed by the American Kennel Club. One is the all-breed show. The all-breed show includes classes for all the recognized breeds, and groups of breeds such as all terriers, all toys. The second dog show is the specialty show for one particular breed that also offers championship points. A benched show is one where the dog show superintendent supplies benches (cages for toy dogs). Each bench is numbered and its corresponding number app...

Avoid upset from a Shih Tzu puppy wondering off and getting lost. Learn how to prevent illness or injuries. It is always so much more heartbreaking to find out after the fact that you could have done something to prevent an illness or injury. In this article I hope to share with you some good information about basic safety measures to prevent mishaps and to help ensure your Shih Tzu puppy?s safety and well-being. Preventing Shih Tzu Puppies from Becoming Lost Collars an...