Shih Tzu

The roots of the Shih Tzu are in Tibet but it was developed in China, where dogs like these lived in the imperial palaces. After China became a republic in 1912, examples of the breed found their way to the West. Temperamentally, the Shih Tzu is a bouncy character and very outgoing. A complete extrovert and full of infectious enthusiasm, he makes a delightful companion who is happy to be part of any family.
Source: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/utility/shih-tzu/

The Illustrated Guide To The AKC Shih Tzu Standard: https://shihtzu.org/illustrated_standard

Extended Breed Standard - A deeper examination of the points of the UK KC breed standard:

http://www.theshihtzuclub.co.uk/breed-resources/education/extended-breed/
Breed History: http://www.theshihtzuclub.co.uk/shih-tzu/breed-history/

AKC Video (link - https://youtu.be/dkRfEkrVDmM

View more videos on AKC's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/AmericanKennelClub

SCC Video (link - https://youtu.be/9_iEVCPQnUM

View more videos on SCC's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKR90_uWp8dUNpGTfQ_y_Zw

Tibet (China)

There are numerous breed standards. The basis of breed/conformation shows is the judging of pedigree dogs against the 'Breed Standard', which is a picture in words that describes the range of features that are deemed appropriate for the breed.

Three of the major international standards are:

The American Kennel Club

The Kennel Club, UK

FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale)

1. Swedish Insurance Data Breed-specific information on rates of disease and death from Agria Pet Insurance (Agria Djurförsäkring) is available for many breeds. This breed has information on Veterinary Care and Life Insurance.

 2. Finnish Kennel Club Database  - Shih Tzu
http://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/frmEtusivu.aspx?R=208

3. The Shih Tzu Club Breed Database: http://www.theshihtzuclub.co.uk/db/dbindex.php
          (Date accessed: 10-03-2021)

Health/Breeding Strategy Documents and Links:

Sweden: Breed-specific Breeding Strategies: (in Swedish) and/ or English summary
This RAS document contains registration and health information for the Shih Tzu in Sweden. (Swedish)

Norway: NKK: RAS: http://www.nstk.no/dokumenter/Rasespesifikk Avlsstrategi (RAS) for Shih Tzu.pdf
This RAS document contains registration and health information for the Shih Tzu in Norway.

Health Info & Surveys:

• OFA: Shih Tzu https://ofa.org/chic-programs/browse-by-breed/?breed=SHT
• Finland: Finnish Shih Tzu Club:  https://shihtzury.fi/terveys/

The Face of a Flower The Heart of a Lion
AKC Family Dog Magazine article

• http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/036df168#/036df168/26

The American Shih Tzu Club -- Health  INFO & Articles Index

• https://shihtzu.org/health_articles

Hepatocutaneous syndrome in Shih Tzus: 31 cases (1996-2014)
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2016 Apr 1;248(7):802-13. doi: 10.2460/javma.248.7.802.

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27003022

Localization of Canine Brachycephaly Using an Across Breed Mapping Approach

• http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0009632

Ocular Disorders Proven or Suspected To Be Hereditary in the Shih Tzu:

By Denise M. Lindley, D.V.M: https://shihtzu.org/ocular_disorders

We are listing sites for breed clubs with health or other information that might be helpful. Follow links below.

Germany: VDH: Internationaler Shih-Tzu- Club e.V.: http://www.shih-tzu-club.de/

Finland: FKC: Shih Tzu r.y.: http://www.shihtzury.com/index.htm

Sweden: SKK: http://www.skk.se/hundraser/shih-tzu/: Specialklubben för SHIH TZU: http://www.shihtzu.se/

France: SCC: Club des Chiens Tibetains de France: http://www.chienstibetains.com/

Norway: NKK: Norsk Shih Tzu Klubb: http://www.nstk.no/

USA: AKC: American Shih Tzu Club:  https://shihtzu.org/

UK: KC: Great Britain: Shih Tzu Club: http://www.theshihtzuclub.co.uk/index.php

Iceland: Shih Tzu deild HRFÍ: http://www.shihtzu.is