Shih Tzu

Toy

Coat

Solid: - The last three may represent either isabella/blue, or faded liver (liver pigment) or faded black (black pigment) respectively.
Sable: Any Sable combination in any of the patterns.
Brindle: with striping or with striping
Tan: with markings in the traditional pattern
Grizzle: Grey, Red, Liver, Blue or Isabella grizzle (regular).
Masking: Allowed on all of the above (any type of mask) - mask matches pigment. Solid cream/red dogz may be masked with , may be masked with . Masking on the ears is allowed to be present on the tips alone, or the whole ears.
White Markings: All of the above may have in any amount. In dogz with more white than trim, a white blaze is preferred, as is a white tailtip. Slight ticking allowed. In long haired Shih Tzus where the coat on the body extends down to the ground it is possible for the long hair of the body or upper legs to completely obscure the feet. Therefore it is permissible for long haired Shih Tzus with irish spotting or blanket markings to lack the white feet/lower legs that is usually required for these patterns.
A bit of on the jowls is allowed as stained fur.

Eyes

in black-pigmented dogz, in others.

Nose

in black (35) dogz, in liver (95, 55), in blue (25, 115) and in isabella (125). Silver (25, 115) have
Cream/red dogz can have any of the above pigment types. In masked, grizzle, brindle and tan-marked dogz, the nose colour follows the mask/shading/main colour.

Faults

Wrong eye colour. Wrong nose colour.

Disqualifications

None

Varieties

None

Notes

The first shih tzus that left Tibet were exported to Britain in 1930 (they also reached Norway the same year) and modern shih tzus originate from these dogs. The breed was recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1934 under the name 'tibetan lion dog', but it was soon changed to shih tzu, which might come from chinese 'shizi gou' ('lion dog'), or from 'shih' ('tibetan') 'tzu' (a name added to people who are getting married), which could be translated to 'tibetan that has married a chinese'.

The shih tzu should be a powerful little dog with a lot of fur, carried high and an expressive face. The head is broad and round with short muzzle. The ears are large and long, carried hanging. The neck is of moderate length and beautifully arched. The body should be rectangular without being low, with deep chest and straight back. The tail is set high and curved over the back. The coat is long and thick with a good amount of undercoat.

Breed Files

Filename: SN Shih tzu
Offset: 226C
Base: Chihuahua
SCP: Dalmatian
Accepted: April 25, 2013
Notes: Version 2 of the Supernova file. Addballs ears, tail and fur skirt. Variations in ear length, topknot shape, tail carriage and fur texture. Comes with or without trailing fur behind the dog (pictured). May wear the Supernova Shih Tzu bow (pictured) in shows.

Filename: SN Shih tzu
Offset: F303
Base: Chihuahua
SCP: Chihuahua
Accepted: September 21, 2006
Notes: Updated version of the Supernova Shih Tzu. Overwrites the original file. Has nose colors that pass.

Filename: Shih Tzu
Offset: 01A9
Base: Sheepdog
SCP: Sheepdog
Accepted: January 4, 2006
Notes: Tail created using [Move], so it moves.

Filename: Shih tzuP
Offset: 0110
Base: Dalmatian
SCP: Dalmatian
Accepted: January 4, 2006
Notes: Puppies grow a full coat as they age. May wear bows in Conformation events.

Filename: Iola Shih Tzu
Offset: CC0C
Base: Sheepdog
SCP: Sheepdog
Accepted: January 4, 2006
Notes: May wear bow in Conformation events.

Filename: SN Shih tzu
Offset: F303
Base: Chihuahua
SCP: Chihuahua
Accepted: December 29, 2005
Notes: Addball ears, fur and tail. This file is allowed to wear the bow in shows.