| Several theories exist as to how the Shih Tzu was | | | | 10.Tibetan Poodle |
| created. It has been reported that around the year | | | | 11.Shock Dog |
| 1650 the Dalai Lama visited China and brought along | | | | 12.Imperial Shih Tzu |
| three holy dogs from Tibet. The Dalai Lama. The Dalai | | | | 13.Teacup Shih Tzu |
| Lama was believed to be a reincarnation of Buddha. | | | | 14.Imperia/Teacup Shih Tzu |
| Tibetan monks were devoted to breeding holy dogs to | | | | 15.Standard Shih Tzu |
| resemble their perception of lions. Based upon this | | | | After World War II, there were very few Shih Tzus in |
| theory, it is believed the three holy dogs were interbred | | | | Europe. A few of the larger specimens reached the |
| with Pekingese to create shorter muzzles, broader | | | | U.K. from China. Of these few larger size Shih Tzu, |
| heads, smaller dogs in general and is quite possibly the | | | | many had medical problems or died at an early age. |
| foundation of todays Shih Tzu breed. | | | | The problems could have been caused by poor living |
| Some people believe the Shih Tzu was created by | | | | conditions, insufficient food or food of low quality. |
| crossing Lhasa Apsos with Pekingese. Another theory | | | | Breeders began breeding as many of the remaining |
| is that the Tibetan Spaniel was bred with the | | | | Shih Tzu as possible. They did not remove a Shih Tzu |
| Pekingese to create predecessors of the Shih Tzu. | | | | from the breeding program just because it wasnt a |
| Others believe the Shih Tzu developed centuries ago | | | | perfect specimen of the breed, and at that time, who |
| in Tibet and reached China originally as a purebred. | | | | really knew what was a perfect specimen of the Shih |
| The answer to just how the Shih Tzu were created | | | | Tzu anyway. The result of these breedings resulted in |
| still eludes us today. Its origin is steeped in mysteries | | | | Shih Tzu much larger than was ever seen in the |
| and legends. The Shih Tzu is generally as the result of | | | | Chinese Imperial Palace during the days of the |
| interbreeding original Tibetan holy dogs and various lion | | | | Empress Dowager. Eunuchs tried desparately to keep |
| dogs in China. It is also generally accepted that the | | | | the very exquisite, small treasures of the Imperial |
| oldest and smallest of the holy Dogs are the | | | | Palace from reaching anyone outside the Palace. |
| ancestors of todays Shih Tzu. | | | | There were even instances where some Eunuchs fed |
| Through time the Shih Tzu has had many nicknames: | | | | the Shih Tzu glass just before releasing them to |
| 1.Lion Dog | | | | others outside the palace and then committed suicide |
| 2.Holy Dog | | | | themselves. |
| 3.Fu Dog | | | | Despite all their efforts, however, Shih Tzu managed |
| 4.Chrysanthemum-faced dog | | | | to survive. We are blessed today with these exquisite |
| 5.Sleeve Dog | | | | creatures, and regardless of what their nicknames |
| 6.Under The Table Dog | | | | have been or is now, the fact that we have Shih Tzu |
| 7.Shih Tzu Kou | | | | at all is quite a miracle. |
| 8.Lhasa Lion Dog | | | | This article is FREE to publish with resource box. |
| 9.Lhasa Terrier | | | | |