| The earliest "Lion Dog" in Tibet had long hair, were | | | | than the terrier relative, shorter nose than the terrier, |
| small in size and similar to the Maltese in type. As | | | | and the teeth and jaw formation revealed a |
| Tibet and China exchanged traditions and beliefs of | | | | shortening of the face. The eyes are more frontally |
| culture and religion, the exchange of dogs became a | | | | placed. |
| two-way affair as well. The Chinese definitely | | | | The eyes of the Shih Tzu have always been one of |
| interbred their small dogs, which were of many | | | | its most valued signature characteristics. I have never |
| varieties, with the Tibetans with long hair, and the | | | | met a Shih Tzu that did not have a warm expression |
| people of Tibet no doubt interbred their small dog | | | | that radiated through its eyes. Some Shih Tzu has |
| with those from the Chinese people. | | | | this characteristic greater than others. They are |
| The outcome of this interbreeding eventually became | | | | almost human-like. |
| the Shih Tzu. The Chinese called the Shih Tzu | | | | When comparing the Shih Tzu to the Apso, one can |
| "Tibetan Lion Dog." The Apso was also involved with | | | | see the most distinct Chinese characteristics. I have |
| the interbreeding practices. The Tibetans called the | | | | had Shih Tzu that look as if you are absolutely |
| Apso, "ApsoSeng Kyi" or "Apso Lion Dog." | | | | looking right at a Chinese in person. I am amazed at |
| The Chinese tried to retain the characteristics they | | | | how the Chinese accomplished this. It truly was a |
| admired, which was the unnaturally short face and | | | | work of art, as they did not breed according to |
| broad head, the wide barrel-like chest and the | | | | pedigree as we do. They bred according to a picture |
| low-to-the-ground look. | | | | of their minds of what they wanted the Shih Tzu to |
| The Tibetans, however, could not hold these same | | | | look like. Most of the time, their goal was to create |
| characteristics because of the climate and | | | | the Shih Tzu to resemble what they thought a Lion |
| environment of their land. Tibet is an area of high | | | | should look like, and they apparently also, created |
| altitudes. The very short face with restricted nasal | | | | Shih Tzu to resemble themselves in the face. |
| development (which incidentally gives many Shih Tzu | | | | Smallness must have been fashionable and something |
| lovers a great pain to deal with at times) and the | | | | of a status symbol in both the Apso and the Shih |
| heavy body and short legs of the Chinese Shih Tzu | | | | Tzu as well as the Pekingese. The Pekingese were |
| would be at a disadvantage in these conditions. They | | | | also involved in the interbreedings to reduce size. |
| could not breathe and survive in the high altitudes of | | | | It should be noted here, however, that this article |
| Tibet. The Lhasa Apso could survive in Tibet. The | | | | addresses the history and development of the Shih |
| Tibetans produced a dog slightly modified from the | | | | Tzu breed. The American Shih Tzu Club's Code of |
| Chinese dog of a similar ancestry which was the | | | | Ethics clearly states it is against their rules, ethics, |
| Lhasa Apso. | | | | standards to breed our present day Shih Tzu with |
| The Tibetan Terrier (also involved in the exchanges | | | | any other breed. It must be understood that this |
| between Tibet and China) is probably closes to the | | | | article is not an endorsement of any kind of practice |
| basic canine with a long head, compact and natural in | | | | that is against the rules and regulations of The |
| conformation. Then comes the Apso, which begins to | | | | American Shih Tzu Club or the American Kennel Club. |
| show the influence of some of the Chinese type. | | | | This is an article regarding the history and |
| This influence resulted in a smaller dog, shorter on leg | | | | development of our Shih Tzu. |