The Story Of The Shih Tzu


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 temperature at night. Throughout most of the year there is sunshine and the air is dry and pure. The people of this remote and rather mysterious land of Tibet were like so many other cultures in our world. They kept dogs in a domestic environment. There were large dogs used for guarding and small, shaggy dogs used as companions and as watch-dogs to alert the larger dogs. These small dogs were the ancestors of our Shih Tzu. The history of the Shih Tzu, however, is steeped in myth and legends, which makes it difficult to sort the true facts of our Shih Tzu.

One tale in particular, which I find interesting, is that of the small Lion Dogs were trained to turn the prayer wheels as part of the daily ritual in the monasteries. There was a belief that those monks whose life had been less than exemplary, would in accordance with the Buddhist theory of reincarnation, be reborn as one of the temple dogs.

Buddhism in Tibet recognized a large number of divine beings. Each being symbolized an aspect of life. One was Buddha Manjusri, the God of Learning. The God of Learning was said to travel with a small Lion Dog (ancestor to our Shih Tzu) that could turn into a full-sized lion and carry him vast distances
on his back.

Oddly enough, there were no actual lions in Tibet, only artistic works of the animal, which were often somewhat fantastical. We cannot be sure whether the Lion Dogs were bred to resemble the drawings and statues of the symbolic lions or if the artists created their `lions' in the likeness of the little dogs(ancestors to our Shih Tzu).

The snow lion was called Gang Seng and was considered to be so powerful that he could cause seven dragons to fall out of the sky with one roar. The symbolic lion was believed to have the ability to walk in the clouds. He could also speak with the voice of truth and fearlessness.

Tibet was a difficult place to get to. China was a neighbor to Tibet. Gifts from Tibet to China were sent as tribute to the Chinese emperors, among which were Tibetan Lion Dogs (ancestor to our Shih Tzu).

These little dogs traveled with the caravans on long journeys from one country to the other. A small army of eunuchs took care of the little dogs. The little Tibetan Lion Dogs (ancestors to our Shih Tzu) adapted well as they have continued to do wherever they have gone to live through the centuries.

In China, everything must have been very different from Tibet. The summers in Peking were warm and humid with a lot of rain. The winters were very cold, somewhat like Tibet, with temperatures as low as 0 degrees F in January. It is recorded that the little Tibetan Lion Dogs settled in and became great favorites of the Manchu emperors.

Most likely they were interbred with the short-faced Chinese breeds – the Chinese Pug and the Pekinese, which is probably what gives the Shih Tzu the characteristics that differentiate them from the Tibetan Lion Dogs that later became the Lhasa Apsos.

Author: Connie Limon

Post edited by: hedvig, at: 2009/06/01 04:41

The Shih Tzu is an amazing dog that makes a wonderful pet for introvert people. This dog revels in the attention it is given and wants nothing more than to bask in your attention, which it demands constantly. Trained early, this dog can be a most loving companion in the house and never allow a dull moment in your life. These dogs are proud, imperial looking and very stubborn when not handled correctly. It is very amusing to watch the Shih Tzu's being trained with force - they will do absolutely nothing. Training the Shih Tzu is possible only with positive reinforcement and that too after a long and patient time spent in motivating it to behave. If you are looking for a warm and friendly pet that will adore you for life, there can be no other choice than a Shih Tzu. These dogs are a joy to have around as they require next to nothing in terms of grooming and care, while they are generous with their love and loyalty. The only thing that these dogs need is you - your love and presence.

The Shih Tzu's traces their origin to Tibet where monks, possibly, had been breeding them. Around the 17th Century these dogs were brought into Peking (China) as gifts for the Emperor. They were an instant hit with the royalty and so they then become their exclusive property. The tiny animals stayed protected by Imperial orders for two long centuries. In the 1930 a pair of these lovable dogs were brought to England and from there they reached the USA soil in 1969. Wherever these dogs went they have conquered hearts. Today, the Shih Tzu is one of the most popular breeds across the globe, both in terms of glamorous looks and as a companion.

The Shih Tzu - owing to its temperament and looks - has been a lot of other names. For example, for a long time in the Chinese Imperial Palaces these dogs were known as the Lion dog. This could be for two reasons. First, it looked like a miniatures lion with all the fluffy hair framing its face and second, it had the demeanor of a king
The Shih Tzu needs very little from you other than love. To keep your Shih Tzu happy, allow it to sleep on your lap, pamper it as often as you can and talk to it all the time. Grooming this dog needs special attention because of its long coat. You need to have it brushed with a hard brush to prevent matting of hair and remove the dust that accumulates on it. You need two separate types of combs - one long toothed for the overall coat on the body and another shorter and denser for the hair around the face and feet.

Have the nails checked and cut regularly as these dogs tend to grow long nails for lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle. In case you are not comfortable with the cutting of nails at home, visit your vet periodically to get the job done. This should be done as often as necessary.

Shih Tzus are easy to train if you use the right techniques. These dogs can be very proud and stubborn, hence the training should be done only through positive reinforcement. As long as they get pampered and treated to tidbits in reward to their good behavior, the Shih Tzu's will do anything you ask of them. Since the Shih Tzu is very friendly and receptive, many people prefer to train their dogs themselves and find it is not difficult at all. Just be sure use a lot of patience and many treats.

Overall the Shih Tzu breed makes for extremely sweet pets that bring joy and happiness wherever they go. You need to keep one thing in mind when you bring home a Shih Tzu dog - they need your love more than anything else - and if you cannot give it to them by being there for them, it is better to choose another breed of dogs.

About the Author:
Rebecca Simpson runs a private animal shelter for the last fifteen years and has written a number of articles on small breed dogs such as Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso and others. The Shih Tzu makes a great pet for anyone who wants a quiet and loyal companion. This article attempts to give you concrete overview and basic Shih Tzu information you always wanted to know about.

Post edited by: hedvig, at: 2009/06/01 04:41