Since the Shih Tzu breed first became known to the western world there has been a variety of colors. The first and second prize winners at the Shanghai Kennel Club Show of May 30, 1930 were all black in color. These two solid black Shih Tzu were probably among the first Shih Tzu to ever appear in a western show ring. Their photographs can be seen in the China Journal June and August 1930 issues.
Black and white Shih Tzu was also frequently seen of the early days in the western world. Black and white Shih Tzu can still be “very” striking and are still a favorite of many Shih Tzu fanciers.
There are different opinions as to exactly what color was the favored color at the Imperial Palace. It has been said often that the golden-yellow, sometimes described as honey was the favorite color and only kept in the palace. There are countless entries in our passages of Shih Tzu history that tell us the Empress Dowager’s favorite Shih Tzu of all times was a solid black she called “Sea Otter.” There are also accounts that three of the Empress Dowager’s sleeve dogs were greyish-white.
The mention of solid white Shih Tzu in later standards reflect the fact that there was a leading French breed in Peking who had a large number of all-white Shih Tzu. There has always been questions as to whether or not it was probably more the westerners who appreciated the solid white, as the Chinese saw the color white as a color of mourning.
It would be safer to say and believe that since yellow was the imperial color, a fact readily known by the golden-yellow tiled roofs of the Peking Palace. Yellow dogs were also more lion-like in appearance. The word “Shih Tzu” means “Lion” in Chinese. The Chinese tried to breed the Shih Tzu to resemble the lion, at least it was their idea of what a Lion looked like.
The white blaze, collar, socks and tail-tip combine to create a highly prized ensemble.
It is most likely that westerners had a very difficult time acquiring the yellow-colored Shih Tzu since it was regarded as being so precious. Therefore, the first Shih Tzu to appear in the west were the black and white, grey and white, brindle and white and a few solid blacks. Very few of the precious yellow-colored Shih Tzu were first acquired by the westerners.
The same holds true for the very small sized Shih Tzu. The small size Shih Tzu, which were most likely the Imperial and Teacup Shih Tzu, as many of us commonly nickname them today, (the Shih Tzu under 9 pounds in weight) were not readily available for the westerners. The westerners had access mainly to the larger size Shih Tzu that the Imperial Palace had sent out as rejects of their breeding program. There were a few able to get hold of the very tiny Shih Tzu we now commonly nickname the Imperials and the Teacup size, but not many, as this was the favored and most treasured size of the Imperial Palace breedings. The smaller size in Shih Tzu was a major goal of the Imperial Palace breedings lead by Empress Dowager.
By: Connie Limon
9 Jun 2008
Dog Kennels: Safety in Confinement
There has always been a degree of controversy, regarding the use of dog kennels. While many understand in situations where space is limited, the use of a kennel within a fenced yard often raises the hackles of uninformed individuals. “How can you confine him to a cage,” they often ask, “when you have a fenced-in yard that he can run around in?” The answer is simple; for the dog’s own safety.
The outside world is a dangerous place for any dog, especially one that has been raised with people and brought up in a home. Whether they are tied up or surrounded by a tall fence, chances are that your determined dog is able to dig his way out, climb the fence or find some means of escape, if he truly wants to. Unfortunately, even the gentlest, best-trained dogs can be tempted to see if the grass is really greener, over on the other side, should the opportunity prove tempting enough.
There have been countless horror stories about chained and tied dogs that, in an attempt to jump fences, end up hanging themselves. Equally horrific, are the tales of people who deliberately poison animals or the stories of dogs accidentally getting into the antifreeze. The use of dog kennels also helps to prevent the spread of highly contagious diseases, such as Parvo, by ensuring your pet does not come into contact with another animal’s waste or, if he is sick, that he does not pass it on to others.
Certain precautions should be taken, however, to ensure your pet’s well-being, while he is in the kennel. Dog kennels should always offer shelter from the elements, in the form of a dog house or indoor access, should he be left outside for a period longer than 15 minutes. Additionally, your dog should have access to water at all times, and food, should he be left in the kennel for an extended period of time. A comfortable place to lay down will also be appreciated and, during hot summer days, always be sure to check solid kennel floors. If it’s too hot for you to walk on the pavement in your bare feet, imagine what a hot concrete run can do to his soft pads.
Letting your dog enjoy some time outside is very beneficial to his health and, provided his basic needs are met, he will enjoy the special time, out, where he can see the world. Remember, however, that dog kennels are no substitute for the warmth and care of a loving family; while he will enjoy his outing, he will always be happier when he can spend quality time with his people. Always be sure to give him lots of love, when he comes back inside.
By: James Hunt
The outside world is a dangerous place for any dog, especially one that has been raised with people and brought up in a home. Whether they are tied up or surrounded by a tall fence, chances are that your determined dog is able to dig his way out, climb the fence or find some means of escape, if he truly wants to. Unfortunately, even the gentlest, best-trained dogs can be tempted to see if the grass is really greener, over on the other side, should the opportunity prove tempting enough.
There have been countless horror stories about chained and tied dogs that, in an attempt to jump fences, end up hanging themselves. Equally horrific, are the tales of people who deliberately poison animals or the stories of dogs accidentally getting into the antifreeze. The use of dog kennels also helps to prevent the spread of highly contagious diseases, such as Parvo, by ensuring your pet does not come into contact with another animal’s waste or, if he is sick, that he does not pass it on to others.
Certain precautions should be taken, however, to ensure your pet’s well-being, while he is in the kennel. Dog kennels should always offer shelter from the elements, in the form of a dog house or indoor access, should he be left outside for a period longer than 15 minutes. Additionally, your dog should have access to water at all times, and food, should he be left in the kennel for an extended period of time. A comfortable place to lay down will also be appreciated and, during hot summer days, always be sure to check solid kennel floors. If it’s too hot for you to walk on the pavement in your bare feet, imagine what a hot concrete run can do to his soft pads.
Letting your dog enjoy some time outside is very beneficial to his health and, provided his basic needs are met, he will enjoy the special time, out, where he can see the world. Remember, however, that dog kennels are no substitute for the warmth and care of a loving family; while he will enjoy his outing, he will always be happier when he can spend quality time with his people. Always be sure to give him lots of love, when he comes back inside.
By: James Hunt
Shih Tzu Show Dog Judging For Coat Texture And Proper Handling
Proper coat texture of your show dog Shih Tzu will be checked during the show dog judge’s examination. Proper coat texture of a show dog Shih Tzu should be lustrous. A lustrous Shih Tzu show dog coat is achieved by good nutrition, and high quality grooming aids. Good coats are also passed down through lines of selectively breeding Shih Tzu with good coats. With the improvement in dog nutrition and grooming aids today, however, there is really no excuse for a show dog Shih Tzu not to have a proper coat texture. If you start with inherited proper coat texture and provide your Shih Tzu with high quality nutrition, the coat can further be enhanced by high quality grooming aids to present the ultimate in beauty by the time your Shih Tzu enters the show ring. One word of warning, however, be sure not to enter the ring with evidence of powder or chalk, or too much spray, you will likely put yourself out of the ring.
When the show dog judge is finished going over the Shih Tzu completely he might step away from the Shih Tzu and give it a final over-all side view look. This side view look helps a Shih Tzu show dog judge keep a complete picture in his mind that he will compare with the next Shih Tzu that is put up on the table.
If you are handling your Shih Tzu yourself this last look is highly important. You should remember to keep your Shih Tzu on its toes. The last thing you want is for the judge to take that last look and find your Shih Tzu sitting or in some other forbidden activity. Do not be constantly putting each single hair in place or placing your Shih Tzu’s feet in the right position. This would be seen as over-handling. If your Shih Tzu is not able to stand on its own, look alive and ready for the next command he is not trained and ready for the show ring. Training is done outside of the ring. Performance is required at the show.
By: Connie Limon
When the show dog judge is finished going over the Shih Tzu completely he might step away from the Shih Tzu and give it a final over-all side view look. This side view look helps a Shih Tzu show dog judge keep a complete picture in his mind that he will compare with the next Shih Tzu that is put up on the table.
If you are handling your Shih Tzu yourself this last look is highly important. You should remember to keep your Shih Tzu on its toes. The last thing you want is for the judge to take that last look and find your Shih Tzu sitting or in some other forbidden activity. Do not be constantly putting each single hair in place or placing your Shih Tzu’s feet in the right position. This would be seen as over-handling. If your Shih Tzu is not able to stand on its own, look alive and ready for the next command he is not trained and ready for the show ring. Training is done outside of the ring. Performance is required at the show.
By: Connie Limon
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