Shih Tzus are adorable little dogs that have proven to be a favorite breed, often landing in the top 20 most popular dog breeds year after year. These cute dogs are often thought of as prissy and high-maintenance, but they are far more interesting than many people give them credit for. This ancient breed has been in development for more than a millennium, and their history is packed with interesting facts. Let’s talk about the cute but complex Shih Tzu!

The 12 Facts About the Shih Tzu

1. The Breed Is Ancient

The Shih Tzu breed dates back more than 1,000 years, making it one of the oldest recognized dog breeds in the world. As early as 1000 BCE, small dogs known as “under the table” dogs existed in China, and they were considered the predecessors to the Shih Tzu.

Believe it or not, the groundwork for the development of this breed began around 10,000 years ago in the Gobi Desert. These early dogs went on to help develop the Shih Tzu and several other breeds, including the Pekingese and Pug.

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2. They Were Bred for Companionship

Although many breeds were developed to perform a specific task, the task expected of the Shih Tzu was simple: provide companionship to their people. In some cases, their companionship duties extended to providing warmth to Chinese royalty through multiple means, including sleeping on their master’s feet, napping in beds to preheat them for people, and even being carried around in women’s robes to help keep them warm.

More than anything, the Shih Tzu was loved and maintained for their affectionate personality and loyalty.

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3. They’re Originally From Tibet

While Shih Tzus are often associated with China, they originated in Tibet. The earliest Shih Tzus were developed by monks in Tibet, along with other Tibetan breeds, like Pugs and Lhasa Apsos. The Tibetan monks eventually began offering the dogs as gifts to Chinese royalty, which led to the Shih Tzu becoming the official royal dog of the Ming Dynasty, which controlled China from 1368 to 1644 CE.

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4. The Breed Name Is Mandarin

Although they originated in Tibet, the Shih Tzu name originates from Mandarin. The Shih Tzu’s name is translated as “little lion,” but it likely originates from the Mandarin phrase “shizi gou,” which translates to “lion sun dog.”

Kukkuripa Mahasiddha is an important figure in Buddhism and is associated with achieving full enlightenment with the aid of his lion-like dog. This story is sometimes associated with the reason that the Shih Tzu received their name.

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5. They Have a Breed Nickname

Although their name is well known, many people don’t realize that the Shih Tzu also has a nickname: the “chrysanthemum-faced dog.” This is because of how the Shih Tzu’s face is shaped, and the pattern of hair growth on the face looks similar to the flower of a chrysanthemum plant.

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6. Shih Tzus Almost Went Extinct

During the Communist Revolution in China, the Shih Tzu was almost eliminated due to their association with wealth and royalty. In 1908, Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi also passed away after long serving as the supervisor of a breeding program of multiple breeds, including the Shih Tzu, Pug, and Pekingese.

While the breed was nearly wiped out, a handful of dogs were able to be saved and re-entered into a new breeding program in the early 20^th century. All purebred Shih Tzus alive today can have their lineage traced to just fourteen dogs used to redevelop the breed.

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7. They Can Be Quite Athletic

Many people associate breeds like the Shih Tzu with being lazy and untrainable. This couldn’t be further from the truth! The Shih Tzu is an intelligent and trainable dog who can be quite an impressive athlete.

Although many pet owners don’t seek out a Shih Tzu when looking for an athletic dog, with the proper training, they excel at canine sports. In 2014, a Shih Tzu won the championship and agility titles, making them the first of their breed to do so.

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8. World War II Helped Bring Shih Tzus to America

Before World War II, the existence of Shih Tzus in the United States was essentially unheard of. The average person would never have seen or heard of the breed. In the 1940s and 1950s, American soldiers who had been stationed in European and Asian countries began returning home to the US. In some cases, they came home with Shih Tzus in their arms, creating the beginning of the booming popularity of the Shih Tzu.

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9. Shih Tzu Ownership Used to Be Highly Guarded

As the royal dog of the Ming Dynasty, ownership of the Shih Tzu was highly regarded and exclusive. When commoners and other people who weren’t associated with royalty were found in possession of a Shih Tzu, they faced death as punishment.

Although anyone can own a Shih Tzu today, they’ve proven to be a popular breed among celebrities. Many famous people have chosen Shih Tzus, including Mariah Carey, Queen Elizabeth II, Beyonce Knowles, Nicole Richie, Bill Gates, and Colin Farrell.

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10. The Breed Was Formally Recognized in the 19^th Century

While the Shih Tzu has been in development for centuries, the dog wasn’t formally recognized as a developed breed until the 19^th century, when the Dalai Lama presented Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi two Shih Tzus. It wasn’t until 1938 that the AKC and UKC recognized the Shih Tzu breed, and the breed standard was defined.

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11. Their Coat Requires Routine Care

The Shih Tzu’s long coat consists of a silky, long outer coat and a downy interior coat that helps the dog maintain a warm body temperature. The silky coat can be high maintenance on its own, but with the presence of a double coat, grooming a Shih Tzu is best left to professionals.

Because of the necessary maintenance of the coat—brushing multiple times per week to prevent mats and tangles—many people opt for a “puppy cut” or “lion cut,” which typically means that the dog’s body has been cut relatively short for easier maintenance.

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12. They Can Live Long Lives

Like many small breed dogs, the Shih Tzu has a long lifespan. According to the AKC, the life expectancy of the Shih Tzu is 10–18 years. However, a Florida Shih Tzu named Smokey lived to the ripe old age of 23. Smokey was born in 1986 and passed away in 2009. Other Shih Tzus that have had notably long lives past the age of 19 include Tutsy, Teddy, and the internet-famous Shih Tzu, Marnie.

Conclusion

Shih Tzus are lovely dogs with a f fascinating history. They make great pets for families and single owners, but their high-maintenance coat care should always be taken into consideration before bringing one of these lion dogs home. It’s also important to choose a responsible breeder who has performed all health testing recommended by the Shih Tzu breed club before breeding their dogs. Due to inbreeding and irresponsible breeding practices, many Shih Tzus have serious health problems that can significantly shorten their lifespan.

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Featured Image Credit: sanjagrujic, Shutterstock