THE SHIH TZU IS ONE OF THE OLDEST DOG BREEDS
The Shih Tzu's exact origins remain mysterious because the breed has been around for thousands of years, and the details of its development are lost. There are Chinese paintings dating back to around the year 500 C.E. that depict dogs believed to be Shih Tzus. There are also documents describing the dogs as gifts to China from the Byzantine Empire.
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TIBETAN MONKS CONSIDERED SHIH TZUS SACRED
Shih Tzus and similar breeds were present in Tibetan Buddhist temples, where Tibetan monks revered the dogs as holy. More than just companion animals, these Shih Tzus worked beside the monks, acting as guard dogs or alarm dogs, and even turning prayer wheels during daily Buddhist prayer rituals.
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SHIH TZUS WERE THE OFFICIAL DOG BREED OF THE MING DYNASTY
Shih Tzus have been popular in China for centuries, but particularly during the Ming dynasty lasting 1368-1644 A.D. Shih Tzus served as house dogs for the royal family during most of those years. They remained popular throughout further dynasties too, but nearly went extinct in China following the Communist Revolution.
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TODAY'S SHIH TZUS ALL DESCEND FROM JUST 14 DOGS
While the Shih Tzu breed's popularity was declining in China during the early 20th century, it took off in England. General Douglas and Lady Brownrigg imported a few of the dogs to the U.K. in 1930. The Brownriggs owned Shih Tzus named Ta Chi, Shu Ssa, Yangtse and Tzu Hsi. All modern Shih Tzus can be traced to 14 of these dogsbrought to England in the '30s.
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SHIH TZUS ARE ALSO KNOWN AS "CHRYSANTHEMUM DOGS"
While the breed's name means "lion dog," Shih Tzus are also nicknamed "chrysanthemum dogs." The nickname reflects an apparent resemblance between the the long hair on Shih Tzus' faces and the petals of a chrysanthemum flower. It's also an indirect reference to the breed's Chinese heritage, because chrysanthemums are important Chinese cultural symbols.
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AMERICAN SOLDIERS BROUGHT SHIH TZUS TO THE U.S. IN THE 20TH CENTURY
World War II introduced American military personnel stationed overseas to dog breeds unknown in the United States. Many soldiers returning from the European theater brought Shih Tzus back with them, and the breed quickly gained popularity among American dog lovers.
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