The Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu standard as set forth by the AKC
General Appearance
The Shih Tzu is a sturdy, lively, alert toy dog with long flowing double coat.
Befitting his noble Chinese ancestry as a highly valued, prized companion and
palace pet, the Shih Tzu is proud of bearing, has a distinctively arrogant
carriage with head well up and tail curved over the back. Although there has
always been considerable size variation, the Shih Tzu must be compact, solid,
carrying good weight and substance.
Even though a toy dog, the Shih Tzu must be subject to the same requirements of
soundness and structure prescribed for all breeds, and any deviation from the
ideal described in the standard should be penalized to the extent of the
deviation. Structural faults common to all breeds are as undesirable in the Shih
Tzu as in any other breed, regardless of whether or not such faults are
specifically mentioned in the standard.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size - Ideally, height at withers is 9 to 10½ inches; but, not
less than 8 inches nor more than 11 inches. Ideally, weight of mature dogs, 9 to
16 pounds. Proportion - Length between withers and root of tail
is slightly longer than height at withers. The Shih Tzu must never be so high
stationed as to appear leggy, nor so low stationed as to appear dumpy or
squatty. Substance - Regardless of size, the Shih Tzu is
always compact, solid and carries good weight and substance.
Head
Head - Round, broad, wide between eyes, its size in balance with
the overall size of dog being neither too large nor too small. Fault:
Narrow head, close-set eyes. Expression - Warm, sweet,
wide-eyed, friendly and trusting. An overall well-balanced and pleasant
expression supersedes the importance of individual parts. Care should be
taken to look and examine well beyond the hair to determine if what is seen is
the actual head and expression rather than an image created by grooming
technique. Eyes - Large, round, not prominent, placed well apart,
looking straight ahead. Very dark. Lighter on liver pigmented dogs and
blue pigmented dogs. Fault: Small, close-set or light eyes;
excessive eye white. Ears - Large, set slightly below crown of
skull; heavily coated. Skull - Domed. Stop -
There is a definite stop. Muzzle - Square, short,
unwrinkled, with good cushioning, set no lower than bottom eye rim; never
downturned. Ideally, no longer than 1 inch from tip of nose to stop, although
length may vary slightly in relation to overall size of dog. Front of muzzle
should be flat; lower lip and chin not protruding and definitely never receding.
Fault: Snipiness, lack of definite stop. Nose -
Nostrils are broad, wide, and open. Pigmentation - Nose, lips,
eye rims are black on all colors, except liver on liver pigmented dogs and blue
on blue pigmented dogs. Fault: Pink on nose, lips, or eye rims. Bite
- Undershot. Jaw is broad and wide. A missing tooth or slightly misaligned teeth
should not be too severely penalized. Teeth and tongue should not show when
mouth is closed. Fault: Overshot bite.
Neck, Topline, Body
Of utmost importance is an overall well-balanced dog with no exaggerated
features. Neck - Well set-on flowing smoothly into
shoulders; of sufficient length to permit natural high head carriage and in
balance with height and length of dog. Topline - Level. Body
-Short-coupled and sturdy with no waist or tuck-up. The Shih Tzu is slightly
longer than tall. Fault: Legginess. Chest -Broad
and deep with good spring-of-rib, however, not barrel-chested. Depth of ribcage
should extend to just below elbow. Distance from elbow to withers is a little
greater than from elbow to ground. Croup - Flat. Tail
- Set on high, heavily plumed, carried in curve well over back. Too loose, too
tight, too flat, or too low set a tail is undesirable and should be penalized to
extent of deviation.
Forequarters
Shoulders - Well-angulated, well laid-back, well laid-in,
fitting smoothly into body. Legs - Straight, well-boned,
muscular, set well-apart and under chest, with elbows set close to body. Pasterns
- Strong, perpendicular. Dewclaws - May be removed. Feet
- Firm, well-padded, point straight ahead.
Hindquarters
Angulation of hindquarters should be in balance with forequarters. Legs
- Well-boned, muscular, and straight when viewed from rear with well-bent
stifles, not close set but in line with forequarters. Hocks -
Well let down, perpendicular. Fault: Hyperextension of hocks. Dewclaws
- May be removed. Feet - Firm, well-padded, point straight
ahead.
Coat
Coat - Luxurious, double-coated, dense, long, and flowing.
Slight wave permissible. Hair on top of head is tied up. Fault:
Sparse coat, single coat, curly coat. Trimming - Feet, bottom of
coat, and anus may be done for neatness and to facilitate movement. Fault:
Excessive trimming.
Color and Markings
All are permissible and to be considered equally.
Gait
The Shih Tzu moves straight and must be shown at its own natural speed, neither
raced nor strung-up, to evaluate its smooth, flowing, effortless movement
with good front reach and equally strong rear drive, level topline, naturally
high head carriage, and tail carried in gentle curve over back.
Temperament
As the sole purpose of the Shih Tzu is that of a companion and house pet, it is
essential that its temperament be outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly and
trusting towards all.
Shih Tzu Q&A
How big will the Shih Tzu get?
A standard size Shih Tzu will be between 9 and 16 lbs. There are smaller versions of the dog, not yet accepted by top kennel clubs and considered a recessive breeding practice. These are called the Tea Cup, Stained Glass, and Imperial size Shih Tzu's. These will obviously be Shih Tzu's that are under 9lbs at adulthood. There is NO SUCH thing as a Tea Cup, Imperial, or Stained Glass Shih Tzu in the USA or abroad.
We here at Fairy Blue Shih Tzu do not breed for the purposes of making pups smaller than they are intended to be; however, our pups will mostly be on the smaller side of standard (9 to 12 lbs), since our breeders are on the smaller size of standard. There may be an occasion where a pup just may be a runt of the litter, but we personally do not breed for such a small size. We may charge more for these smaller pups, however. Not because they meet standard, but because they are in higher demand due to the smaller weight for the in-home handler.
Are Shih Tzu's good apartment dogs?
They are what I consider the best apartment dogs. I have a very good size town house, but my very first inclination when choosing a canine was the Shih Tzu because it is a great apartment dog, among many other wonderful traits. The Shih Tzu are generally mellow dogs. They're highly adaptable and do well in condos, traveling in RV's, and just about any small dwelling.
What is a "rare" color for the Shih Tzu?
THE MOST
RARE:
Experts say that the "only" real and true
rare colored Shih Tzu is a pure white with pink pigments and red eyes, which
would be an Albino. I have not seen one, nor can I find a picture of
one. They are also not acceptable by show standards due to the
discoloration of pigment (or lack of color pigment), but still rare nonetheless.
NEXT MOST RARE:
An actual true blue is considered rare by most Shih Tzu descriptive websites. (true
blue meaning all blue hair (no other colors) with blue/lavender pigments and/or
points. Sometimes has blue eyes.). These above examples show a slate
colored blue and a darker blue Shih Tzu.
You can also have a blue Shih Tzu that
will not have blue hair coloring, but if the points of the dog (nose, eye
pigment, paw pads) are a lavender color, then the dog is to be known as a blue
-- but not a "true blue". This example below shows a
cream/blue puppy. Born white, it gradually turns cream in color but has
all blue/lavender pigment.
As a side note, since the blue is a dilute color it does not produce black pigment. Therefore, ONLY in a true blue colored Shih Tzu can the blue eyes be present and acceptable for showing purposes. Blue eyes are not acceptable in any other color Shih Tzu.
SOMEWHAT RARE BUT NOT SO MUCH ANYMORE:
A chocolate is really a
"liver", but since the word "chocolate" for this color is
becoming so popular, it may eventually be incorporated. Although a
chocolate/liver is considered infrequent, it is not really considered rare by
definition -- and a true liver (all liver hair (no other colors) with liver
colored pigments and/or points and amber colored eyes) is even more infrequent
although not considered rare by definition either. The above examples show
on the left what I would consider a true chocolate/liver, and on the right is a
lighter colored liver, known as a cream liver, which still has the liver
pigments.
A true liver/choc will always have liver/choc colored points. A blue will always have blue colored points. Any variation will not make this dog a true blue or true liver even if only one hair is a different color.
SOMEWHAT RARE:
A completely gold colored (no other color) Shih Tzu is also
considered rare by some descriptive websites.
SOMEWHAT RARE:
A dobie or rottie
marked dog is really a dog that has a base of black with either tan, red, gold
or brown points -- just as that of a Doberman or a Rottweiler. There is no white on a true dobie/rottie marked
dog. These are also considered to be rare by some descriptive
websites.
You can read more about colors here and here and here.
Do Shih Tzu's bark?
A Shih Tzu is not a verbal breed, however, they can still bark. Some examples would be separation anxiety, or over excitement. Separation anxiety is something that a Shih Tzu can be trained out of as with any other dog. Over excitement usually occurs when he is out of food/water and wants to let you know, or wants to be in your lap or wants to play. However, the Shih Tzu is not prone to barking excessively and is known as a non verbal breed. If your Shih Tzu is barking excessively, this could be a medical issue more than behavioral, and a trip to the vet is needed.
Are they tough dogs to groom?
Don't let this scare you, because although they are labeled as "high maintenance", if they were that bad, I couldn't own them myself. There are many different cuts you can give a Shih Tzu that are appealing. There are also regiments for the long hair if you intend to grow it as shown in the above-left picture, yes. This regiment can be time consuming and a difficult to moderate task. I personally do not care to grow it. Therefore, speaking for myself? These are easy dogs to groom.
What are the exercise needs of the Shih Tzu?
Shih Tzu's are not exercise junkies. This is another great reason they make great apartment dogs. They can really get enough exercise just chasing a ball in the house and following you around. Although they do enjoy a leisurely stroll outdoors and it is best to take them for a short and brisk walk daily, it isn't essential that they be on a walking regiment.
Do all breeders show their dogs?
No. Personally speaking, we do not show our dogs because we are medically limited and/or inept. However, others may also have good reasons such as the immense amount of finances it can take to show; because some breeders live far away from shows in their area and can't show because most shows fall on the weekends where they need to be home for their "human" children; because some are medically inept as ourselves; and because some may live in parts of the country where inclement weather may play a factor, and so on. I knew an older woman once that couldn't show because her husband was too ill to be left alone and behind while she was out showing. A very honorable reason not to show -- don't you think?
A breeder that does not attend shows is NOT a "bad breeder" and don't let ANYONE tell you different. I have seen that exact thing stated on several breeder websites, and it is simply untrue, not to mention heinously insulting to those that can't show who would actually LOVE to. I have spoken to MANY breeders in my time of canines as well as felines. I only knew ONE that went to shows with cats, and it was very infrequent. I also only knew one that went to shows with her dogs, again, infrequently. The rest did not show at all, and were very conscious, loving, and passionate breeders.
Those that state that "bad breeders won't show" and to "watch out for those breeders that don't show", need to know that others have a life outside of our canines that is just as important, such as life itself. I think I can speak for many when I say we will not take food out of our families mouths to show, and we will not risk our own well beings and/or livelihoods to show. First and foremost comes our own health and the health of our families and households. If all of that is intact, only then can and will ALL passionate, loving, and conscious breeders show.
Some breeders live for only the competition to a point where improving the breed, having happy families, having happy dogs, and having happy clients is secondary. Then there is the majority of us that only care about improving the breed itself; bringing forth the best specimens possible; and who spend the majority of our time socializing our dogs so they have great temperaments for those that seek a great purebred canine companion or show dog. And due to our own constraints here at Fairy Blue Shih Tzu, the latter is where our passion, our time, and our finances are spent.
Are Shih Tzu great watch dogs?
No. If you are looking for a watch dog, you will not find it in the Shih Tzu. The only thing they will "watch" is the bad guy walk off with your television and jewelry. Most toy breeds are verbal, but most Shih Tzu's are quiet. For a watch dog, I would suggest a more verbal breed.
What about the temperament of the Shih Tzu?
Well, let's put it this way. All American breed standards are required to mention breed temperament. The Shih Tzu standard for temperament goes far beyond what you'll find in most standards, however, and gives a beautiful description of the breeds personality. It says "As the sole purpose of the Shih Tzu is that of a companion and house pet, it is essential that its temperament be outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly, and trusting towards all." This standard actually determines how a judge would place a Shih Tzu at a Kennel Club Dog Show. It's a rare standard to put so much emphasis on temperament -- so that says a lot about this little breed.
Trainability?
Shih Tzu's are often labeled as "stubborn", and that isn't really fair. Most Asian breeds have an independent streak, and the Shih Tzu is no different. However, as with any breed -- food rewards help that along. As with all dogs, if you plan to potty train them to the outdoors, then you need to control their food intake. Have set meal times, and after they eat, take them immediately outdoors. Then you need to do that a few more times during the day as well. So figure about 5 outings a day -- 3 meal times and 2 other times during the day, and maybe with one of those just before you retire for the evening. Shih Tzus can also be trained to a puppy pad or litter box if you prefer not to outside train them. As for trick and obedience training? I find it easy as pie. Shih Tzu's are smart, as well as cute!!
Are they good with children, other dogs, or cats?
Most small dog breeds, ironically enough, are not that great with "small" children. By small, I would really mean children that are toddler age. However, most Shih Tzu are oblivious to this rule, as our my own. They are usually sturdy enough to play with children and gentle enough not to be aggressive. This does NOT mean that small children should be allowed to make the dogs life miserable. Every animal has its limits. It is not ok for children to pull the dogs fur or poke around the dogs face with inquiring fingers. No dog should ever be left alone with small children, and adult supervision is always recommended.
As for other dogs, well, its just a matter of the situation and the temperament. Shih Tzu generally get along well with other dogs. Unlike some breeds, no more aggression is apparent in either males or females, and Shih Tzu usually get along equally well with same-sex and opposite-sex dogs of all breeds. Still, even dogs of friendly breeds need social experiences if they are to deal well with other dogs. The more experienced your puppy is in social interactions with other dogs, the less likely he is to get into trouble. It starts with the breeder, and having the pup socialized to learn how to play with his littermates under his mom's watchful eye. If you have a small breed dog, they should get along fine if both have been socialized to other dogs before, and they came from breeders who made sure they were sold with the pretense of being socialized to the best of their ability. But "never" let your Shih Tzu roughhouse with a dog who is substantially bigger than he is! Even though a Shih Tzu is relatively sturdy, he is only the size of a baby. He can get hurt if a friendly Labrador Retriever enthusiastically gives him a body slam. Don't take the risk. He can have oversized friends, and go for walks, and hang out peacefully. But no wrestling, no chase games, and no nipping. Not ever.
And lastly, cats and other animals. Most Shih Tzu and cats get along famously. These gentle dogs even leave mice, and birds alone - usually. However, under that adorable fur, a Shih Tzu is still a dog. You can never be sure that your child's pet mouse or bird won't awaken the hunter in your Shih Tzu. If you have rodents for pets, make sure your Shih Tzu is never out with the animals unless an adult is present.
Are two better than one?
This is a question I also
asked myself, and it didn't take me long to decide on two. They are like potato chips. You can't have just one! I wanted
two the minute I held the one. You may find the same happening to
you. Shih Tzu's enjoy companions, so if you can get two, and can
take care of two, then I say to go for it!
What do I feed a Shih Tzu?
We here at Fairy Blue use a high quality food -- Eukanuba Dog Food. IAMS is also a great alternative, and sometimes easier to get. We have used both IAMS as well as ONE in a pinch. They have it for puppies and for adults at most Pet Stores. You will get a small bag to start with in your puppy kit, but if you need to change it, you can do so by adding a bit of the new food with the Eukanuba. Do this every day until you eventually have all of the new food and none of the previous food. I also know that it's very tempting to walk into a store and purchase a nice inexpensive plastic double feeding dish. DON'T do this. Plastic of any type is not good. It does not sterilize and can cause health problems. Only use stainless steel, or even ceramic if it is not cracking or grazing and is dishwasher safe.
What are the best toys?
My own dogs LOVE little stuffed plush animals. Not the ones with a lot of furry parts though, or parts that can come off easily. Please watch out for choking hazards if you aren't buying specific dog toys. My Sire also likes a big old soccer ball that my son found. He pushes it around and tries to catch it. It's very amusing to see him rolling a ball around that is his own size. Shih Tzu's, like humans, only enjoy certain toys. Some will keep them for life, no matter how ragged they get. Some may like just balls, some plush toys, some rope pulls, and some a variety. Take your pup to Pet Smart and see what he finds that he likes to play with. That is the toy for your pup! Stay away from any kind of chewing bone until you talk to your vet. Some say that rawhide is not good for Shih Tzu's. I have never bought one, but if you intend to, ask your vet first.
I work. Will I be able to leave my dog home alone?
A Shih Tzu can be left alone for several hours a day without incident as long as you do what is right by your pup with water, food, toys, and enclosure. By "enclosure", I mean an exercise pen. One large enough so he can roughhouse with his toys, and also have a place to make waste on a puppy pad, or litter box, as well as sleep. Without some type of enclosure, you will find little unwanted and unpleasant smelling gifts left for you upon your return. You can't blame the pup for this. It's only natural to make waste. You could even buy a baby gate and keep him in one whole room. But I never recommend a small crate for many hours of being alone. If your Shih Tzu has the correct accommodations, he will be fine. If you work many hours, then I would suggest having a neighbor check on him now and then, or a relative, and maybe even schedule a bit of play and/or a walk in your absence with the pet sitter. When you come home? Make a lot of time for affection, because your Shih Tzu will be wanting to give it more than ever. Be very willing to comply, and give it back. Don't forget, this is a 13-15 year commitment, and you don't want to really purchase any dog that you will only see and give attention to on the weekends. Shih Tzu's, although they can be left alone for several hours a day, are also very affectionate (and sometimes referred to as lap) dogs, and also need stimulating brain activity. They want to make you happy. They need to be loved and adored just a much as they want to adore and love their new owners. If you work a lot of hours a day or a week, then you may want to consider an actual full-time pet sitter who will meet your Shih Tzu's needs in your absence, and maybe even purchase more than one so they always have a playmate in your absence.
Is it safe to have a Shih Tzu shipped by plane?
Well, yes, by most intentions this is safe for puppies. If you think about it, and all of the dogs that attend the major dog shows, most if not all travel by plane. I myself have first-hand witnessed many an animal that are shipped by this method. I have shipped as well as received animals by this mode of travel without one incident. However, when most say they will not ship their puppies, people believe they are only focusing on it being too taxing on the animal, but there is much more to consider as well.......
Take these factors into consideration when you request a shipment of your pup by plane....
1.) If the buyers do not pick up their dogs on their end for whatever reason during the allotted time they are given by the airport, did you know that the airport will automatically ship the dog back to its original location and charge the breeder for the return? This now becomes a major stress factor on the dog and the breeder both physically, mentally, and financially.
Can you imagine as a breeder being at your job, for example, and receiving a call from the airport that the puppy you shipped that morning was not picked up and will be coming back on the next flight? Then the breeder has to take time off of work, and then pay for the shipping of a puppy back to them? Needless to say, if this does occur, the new owner will now lose all privileges of ownership as well as all monies invested, and most likely be sued for loss of income to the breeder for not upholding a shipping agreement. Talk about stress!
2.) We also can never guarantee what will happen during any particular flight, therefore, we can't guarantee by contract any post-flight or during-flight happenstance or stress related incident or illness, or even a death of the pup once boarded. Our vet on our end will have done all he can to make sure the puppy is healthy and strong for the travel, but no one can really guarantee how a particular pup will react to the flight since they are not used to moving about in this mode of travel; and no one can know how a flight will actually proceed once in the air and/or during landing. Because this is a mode of travel the buyer has requested, then the buyer is responsible for any flight related physical factors. In the unfortunate incident of a pup's death during plane travel, this is not covered by contract. As a buyer requesting this mode of travel, this is something to also consider.
*****
So it goes far beyond breeder's just not "liking" to use a plane as mode of travel for stress related factors. There are many more mitigating factors involved; all of which must be considered by breeder and buyer alike, and all can be avoided with a local transfer when and if possible.
See our links page for further informational pages on the Shih Tzu.
