Shih Tzu
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Robust, abundant but not excessive, with a distinctly arrogant bearing and a chrysanthemum-like head.
Personality: kind and companion.
Energy Level : Moderately Active.
Good with children: Yes.
Good with other dogs: With supervision.
Grooming: Weekly.
Life Expectancy : 10-16 years old.
Bark level: Moderate.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
People tend to get confused between Apso and Shih Tzu, but there are a number of very distinct differences between them. The roots of this breed are in Tibet, but it was developed in China, where dogs like these lived in imperial palaces. China became a republic in 1912, after which specimens of the breed found their way to the West, although the first recorded importation into Great Britain did not take place until 1931. It was recognized as a breed distinct from other Oriental breeds in 1934. , being granted a separate registration by The Kennel Club in 1940, with championship certificates available from 1949 onwards. nose bridge.
Country of Origin: Tibet.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT: : Smart, active and alert. Affectionate and independent.
HEAD: Broad, round head, wide between the eyes. Abundant topknot, with a good beard and moustache; hairs growing distinctly above the muzzle, giving a chrysanthemum effect, not affecting the dog's ability to see.
CRANIAL REGION
Stop : Set.
FACIAL REGION
Nose: Black, but dark brown in liver-coloured or liver-spotted dogs. The top of the nose should be in line with or slightly below the lower eyelid. Nose level or with a slightly inclined tip. Nostrils wide open. Nose directed downwards is highly undesirable, as are pointed nostrils.
Muzzle: Very broad, square, short, without wrinkles, flat and hairy. Length approximately 2.5 cm from tip to stop. Muzzle pigmentation as homogeneous as possible.
Lips: Flat.
Jaws and Teeth: Wide, slight undershot or even (pincer bite, edge to edge).
Eyes: Large, dark, round, set well apart, but not prominent. Warm expression. In dogs with liver or liver spots, lighter eyes are allowed. The whites of the eyes must not be visible.
Ears: Large, of good length, carried down. Set on slightly below the topline of the skull and with a coat so abundant that they appear to be joined to the hair on the neck.
NECK: Well proportioned, pleasantly arched. Long enough in length to carry the head proudly.
TRUNK
Back: Level.
Loin: Strong and well coupled.
Chest: Broad, deep and well let down.
TAIL: Well furred, carried gaily over the back. Inserted high. Its height is approximately level with that of the skull, giving a balanced contour.
MEMBERS
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Shoulders: Firm, well set back.
Forearms: Legs short and muscular, with broad bones, as straight as possible, in keeping with a broad, well let-down chest.
Forefeet: Round, firm, with good pads and well furred.
HINDQUARTERS: Short, muscular legs with broad bones. Straight when viewed from behind.
Thighs: Well rounded and muscular.
Hind feet: Round, firm, with good pads. Well furnished with fur.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: Arrogant, light and fluent; Forelegs with good reach, strong drive from the hindquarters and fully showing the pads.
COAT
Hair: Outer coat long, dense, not curly, with moderate undercoat, not woolly. Slight ripple is allowed. Hair not affecting the dog's ability to see. The length of the fur should not restrict movement. It is strongly recommended that the hair on the head be tied up unadorned.
Color: All colors are allowed; a white stripe on the forehead and white at the tip of the tail are highly desired in particolors.
SIZE: Height at the withers: Not more than 27 cm. Breed type and characteristics are of utmost importance and under no circumstances should they be sacrificed just for size.
WEIGHT: 4.5 to 8 kg. – Ideal weight: 4.5 to 7.5 kg. The length from the stop to the truffle should be slightly shorter than the length from the stop to the occiput.
FAULTS
Any deviation from this standard should be considered a fault and penalized in exact proportion to its severity and its effects on the health and well-being of the dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressiveness or excessive shyness.
• Any dog that shows any sign of physical or behavioral anomaly must be disqualified.
• Atypical dogs.