SHIH – TZU is a breed that has originally been created in Tibet – China. There are two hypothesis regarded the origin of this breed. According to one SHIH – TZU has been created by interbreeding of Pekinese and Tibetan terrier and according to the other one the breed was obtained by interbreeding of Lasa Apso and Pekinese. SHIH –TZU arrived in Europe from China in 1930. It has been imported to England where the first specimen of the breed were selected and presented as a new breed to FCI.
   SHIH – TZU is a typical companion dog but it has surprisingly the strength of the working dog in spite its small stature. It belongs to the 9^th FCI group with other breeds of companion dogs.
   SHIH – TZU has excellent health and it lives longer than 15 years.
It has long hair that requires everyday constant care. All the varieties of the colors are allowed.
   Its body is long with horizontal back, broad chest and strong neck.
Its head is wide with lot of hair at the back and on the muzzle. Muzzle is short and square without skin wrinkles. Nose is black and sometimes even light brown if the muzzle is brown and white. It has very often a chignon or a pony tail at the top of the head.
Ears are big and pendant covered with long hair that joins the hair of the neck.
   Eyes are deep brown, round and very big but they are never goggle-eyed. If the hair is white and brown eyes can be lighter.
Tail is set very high positioned above the back and covered with long hair. The top of the tail is white no matter what color of the hair is.
It is the unique breed whose colors of the hair are used for fortune telling by Buddhist priests.
   Its height goes up to 27.7 cm. The weight of the females varies from 4.5 to 7.3 kilos, and the males weigh from 4.5 to 8.1 kilos. Females are usually smaller than males.
   Character: As it has been bred as a companion dog SHIH – TZU is rather charming and vivacious, lovely and playful. It adores to be petted. It is obedient and never whimsical and it barks only if it is really necessary. SHIH – TZU loves children and that feeling is mutual – children simply love it. Anyway how could it be otherwise when SHIH – TZU is so irresistible – a true oriental charmer. It requires a clean place to sleep on since it is a very tidy dog.
   It fiercely defends its territory. SHIH - TZU is a fearless darling little dog always ready to give you all its love.